Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-16

this question before the House. Three
quarters OF century ago we had difficult
ty with this same nation, and this difficI,ltv
resulted in giving us precedent. The
very same objections and appeals were made
during the administration of Washington
by Genet, and pressed upon Jefferson, then
Secretary of State, and he called attention
to the fact, reading them from the life OF
Jefferson. Genet and Jefferson had dis
cussed friendly proposition which Genet
had brought from his own nation, and said
it ought not to be adopted without
consulting Congress. Genet having got
into more moderate tone, Jefferson stop
ped him and explained the functions of our
Government, saying that all these questions
belonged to the Executive Department, and
even II Congress were in session they could
not be referred to it. Genet asked If Con-
gress was not sovereign, and Jefferson said,
mo; that Congress was sovereign in ma
King laws, the Executive in executing them,
and the Judiciary in constructing them."-
SAID Genet, Congress binds us to treaties
and the observance of them" jefferson
SAID, mo: there are very few cases arising
out OF treaties of which Congress can take
notice" Genet was satisfied. Wehave the
same Constitution which existed at THAI;
day. lie could not see anything more mis-
chleVous than for Congress to plant itself
on the resolution. By it we deny any con-
current power OH the part of the Execu-
tive. 1t overturns the entire history of our
Government and sets out in an entirely
new course. He thought the House justified
It's seli-respect by laying the resolution on
the table.
Mr.. Stevens said he was obtuse; that he
failed to see the least anomaly between the
case cited by the gentleman from Maine
Jefferson very properly told Genet that
Congress had no right to interfere with
treaty stipulations, for treaties, by the Con-
stltution, are the supreme law of the land.
ms is the whole extent of the precedent.
He could not see that it had any bearing on
the question before them Suppose Con-
gress should pass law not permitting any
foreign power to establish monarchy on
the continent of North America? Has
not Congress power to say ave will
not suffer thrones to be erected
within our dominions. If we can en-
force it, well. He was speaking of the
power of Congress. If it led to war, Con-
gress alone has power to make the decara-
ton. How then, could it interfere with the
Executive authority when the House
proposed joint resolution that certain
line OF fpollcy should be the law of the land?
lt Is as clear as the sun at MONDAY, unless
we are willing to stupify ourselves. Last
session we passed a resolution protesting
against the interference by France in the
affairs of Mexico. Have gentlemen now
aWoke to sense of their error on that oc-
casion? One branch of this Government,
the Executive, in rebuking this body, tells
foreign nations that we are an impertincnt
set of meddlers, and that the Execu-
tive pays no attention to this body.
lie (Stevens) had no censure to be-
stow on this body. It. did not become
Congress TO say get out of the way, Mexi-
can hcretics, and do not interfere with the
grand policy of the republic of this conti-
nent.' And were they to pause because
foreign governments found fault, and be-
cause gentlemen say here these questions
mean nothing, and the representatives of
the people are nothing, that their sense of
policy means nothing, and we need not
trouble ourselves about it, for the Secretary
of State will take care that these imper-
tinent boys shall do no harm. Laughter
1t was the duty of the House to vindi-
cate the dignity of the country and to ele-
vate it from the low depth to which it
has sunk. When an opportunity shall be
he would endeavor to Introduce
The resolution i'll modified form, asserting
that it is the duty Of the Executive Depart
ment to respect the policy. He was oppos-
ou w CACuSillS Jllc ScuJlcIldll from Mary
land from serving OH the committee on For
aign Affairs.
Mr.. Boutwell, said: 1t was we'll known
that Mt the last session the House passed
resolution affirming the Monroe doctrine,
which was not sustained by the Senate.
Hence, the resolution could not be taken as
nh expression Of Congress. 1t merely
the will of this House. The
resolution which the House has laid
upon the table is peculiar on this
point. 1t asserts that Congress, not
,he House, has constitutional right to
IN authoritative voice in declaring and |
States as well in the resignation of new |
preserving the foreign policy of the United |
powers as in other matters. If the resolu-
ion had stopped there, no gentleman would
lave mentioned its proprety; but it went
urther, and declared that it is the constitu-
ional duty of the President to respect that
.olicy, not less in diplomatic negotiations
han in those of the national forces when
uthorized by law. This part of the reso-
1tion conveys the impression that the
resident is acknowledged to obey Con-
ress in the exercising of constitutional
lights.
The discussion on this subject was con-
nued for some time longer by various
lembers.