Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-09
Conyressmen...MiIitary Officers.

We endorse most heartily the following pertinent
remarks of the Richmond Examiner. They of
course equally apply to Senators as we'll as to mem.
bers Of the House. Both Houses should purge
themselves at once of all military officers. COM
mon sense as we'll common modesty, in the all
scnce of the Constitutional provision, ought to in.
huence honest men at least to withdraw either from
civil or military responsibilities No one man
should serve in both capacities:
1.-The House Of Representatives on yesterday
passed an important and most judicious resolution
Reteratng the plain principle of the Constitution
that no person holding commission from the Con.
fedcrate Government shall at the sane time be
member of their body, the House has ordered
number of members who are colonies and generals
in the army while they act as representatives and
senators in Congress- either to resign their military
positions or vacate their seats the floor Of the
chambers These members have their election, to
be either officers of the army representatives Of
the people, but it is clearly unconstitutional and IRA
tional that they should be both at one and the
time, and the public is delighted to learn that the
House of Representatives has had the irmness to
render that union Of contradictory powers no longer
possible
Subserviency to a superior, whether he is gem
eral in the field or politician holding executive
versaI characteristic of army officers. But men,
Der of Congress, before all other men, should be
free from that trait. He is member of Congress
because he represents people, in contra distinction
from government he is their servant not that ofan
Executive; it is his business to control and oppose
the Executive when its power is used contrpry to
the will and interest Of his constituents. If worth
straw, if he is man at ALL he will never hesitate
in such emergency. But he will not, and cannot
represent the people in this manner IT ne Is the
sworn servant of the Executive Between bis
two masters ne win surely sacrihce one 10 the
other, and when one has every erloe 10 human am
bition in his hand and the other is poor oppressed
and obscure, the majority will make an easy and
rapid choice. a.,
From the passage of this resolution, it is hoped
that Congress will manifest different spirit and
assume new attitude. Hitherto it has been mere
echo of the Executive and the Recording Court Of
its DEGREES. 1t is full time that itshoud check the
career Of imbecity., The country stands aghast at
the Presidents appointments, civil and military
Congress shares the common sentiment; it has the
unquestioned power to correct the conduct of the
Executive by rejecting those appointments; but
we have yet to hear Of Congressional interference in
single instance. The Congress seems possessed
with idea that it is itself part of the army, and
that the country can be saved only by an unhestat
ing obedience to the man who has undertaken more
than be can PERFORM
What, then, are its powers intended for? Why
are they placed in it's hands? lifts sole concern in
the government is hear of its acts before the rest
of the public, it we're better to renounce the empty
pretence Of a supervision, which is nothing but
title"