New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-07
foreign Power xith the independones or form Of gov.

lied Europe 20 1nbvert the liberties OF the bouthern
Nations this continent and to erect upon the ruins
Of their free Institutions monarchca Systems the peo
pie Of the u would have stood pledged in the opinion
Of their Executive not to any foreign States but to
ests and hghest duties resist 10 the utmost such an
attempt and it n 70 pledge of that character that MI
poinsett alone refers e Cong 18th Cong LIST ssss1
John Quincy Adams, whose Secretary OF State was
Henry Clay, and whose Minister TO Mexico was Mr..
Ponsett upon whom the supremacy Of the Legislature
atic execution and conduct Of which Is conhded 70
the President If..
1t is impossible to condemn the elaborate message OF
Presidest Adams Of 1896 dedicated to persundlng Con-
gress To concur in and sanction the Panama Missions
bat that message and the great debate which consumed
the session IN both Houses are unmeaning on the
Government But the great name Of Daniel Webster 10
Justly considered authoritative any question OF con-
stitutona power and in that debate when the enemies
of the Administration srove TO insert particular istruc
lions to the diplomatic agents sent to the Congress- lie
thus closely defined the limits OF Executive and Con
gressiona authority in declaring the policy aud con-
Quoting the negotiations.
have said In the House Of Representatives:
lie would AJAX two questions: First does not the Contn'
not the giving ofnsrucon' ministers abroad exercise Of
Executive power Why should we t.ie The Ie,pon,.oly
could evove known constitutional responsibility any part
OF this House. The President had sent the subject TO thc
We might the sppropatonif 'nw IT. We mad the
make our vote conditional and attach Instruction. to e.
There way indeed In which this House might er-
psfd to and our OF fs or Sns'i L. eaan
He agreed entirely with she gentleman that the
foreign relations II ought to say sc and say by
which would affect the whole aud not part oil our dipo
one ony There was no why the Minister to Panama
should under these restrictions that did not eq"sy Apply
to other diplomatic aeents-e our Minister at Colunba
Mexico or other States resolution expressive Of the
sense the House would the contrary lead to nsrucons
mode Of Proceeding We for instance IN looking At these
Government had declared 10 some Of the
pTinepal Power.~that We could not consent to the
transfer Of Cuba to any European power. No doubt
the Executive Government can maintain that ground
only 30 long II, receives the appreciation and
support Of Conires II Conc" be o. opinion that this
and he thought indeed the duty Congress interfere and
express Dissent If the amendment now offered prevailed
the declarations 90 distinctly made on TINS point could not De
repeateo under circumstances at Panama But they ought
verthele, be repeated anywhere and eveiywh.ie e'e
Therefore, we dissent oin TINS opnon at d.cnt shond
be declared by resolution and that would change the whole
oone Of diplomatic correspondence on that subject N all
places II any gentleman think therefore, that We ought TO
under crcnmance TO prevent the tfns
fer Of Cuba into the hands Of sy Government European or
American let him bring forward bis resolution TO that effect
lift should pas. will eieotuay prevent the repetition Of
such declarations as have been msde'
Ills view u.s. IN the opinion OF Tie commune AZ once
the Just view and the traditional practice OF the Govern
The will OF the people expressed IN legislative
form by the legislative power. declare authoriia
-
committed the diplomatic measures Tor enecutng
The constitutional authority Of Congress- over the for
egn relations Of the United States can hardly be con-
sdered an open question after the concurrent resou
tons Of Mr. Senator Sumner adopted in the last Con-
gress it il believed 1T the suggestion certainly with
the approval Of the President and by him officially not
fed 10 foreign Governments the most authentic and
expression Of the national viii respect
ing intervention mediation and every other form OF
foreign intrusion into the domestic struggle In tho
United States.
The Committee are not inclined TO discuss theorcti
cal questions of relative power Tho Constitution Is
and not theoretical. instrument IL has
been administered and construed by men OF practical
sagaciy and in their hands the voice OF the people has
been heard authortatvely in the Executive Chamber
the conduct OF foreign affairs But this correspond
enoe requires to say that in view Of the historic
presidents. II In not purely Executive question 1
whether the United States would think necessary or
pnper to express themselves In the io,n adopted
II does belong Congress 10 declare and decide on the
foreign policy Of the United States and is the duty Of
diplomatic negotiations. or military power. II 1t be
authorized.
The President Is not less bound TO execute the m
iona viii expressed by law In its foreign than in its
domestic concerns The President appoints all officers
OF the United States but their duties are regulated not
By his wiz but y law h ne 81 me co%nMaernoIiei
them except when the law points out the occasion and
the object He appoints foreign Ministers. but neither
In this they. by reaSon Of their appointment
any thing but the ministers OF the law.
II 1t be true that the appointment Of an ambassador
implies the recognition Of the nation II Is just ms sound
logic 10 argue that be appointed 10 nation
that does not exist by the recognition Of Congress-
that the President can recognize alone because be
appoint. But We prefer 10 waive the question. We
anxious not 10 depart from the approved precedents
II history Our desire is ~ preserve not Ia change
We will not inquire what would be the effect Of recog
niton Of nation by the President against the Will
u Congress We prefer TO Indulge the hope so wisely
expressed by President jackson, That IL IL To BE- pre-
suued that future occasion. will dispute arise,
none has heretofore occurred between the Executive
aafs AZ
nition
Hitherto nations and new powers have always
been recognized upon consutsion and concurrence Of
The Executive and Legislative Departments and the
most important occasions by and Ia Pursuance Of law In
he particular Changes Of the person dynasty Of
rulers Of recognized powers which created new
Dower have moi been treated always with the same for
naiy, but usually the general law providing for dpo-
matte inteIcours with the power whose internal al.
ninistraton had changed remained on the statute book
aud conferred penary discretion the President
Ter the sanction OF which be has accredited Ministers
10 the new posscssors Of power
II is not known that hitherto the President has ever
10 recognize new nation a new power
not before known 10 the history Of the world and not
before acknowledged by the United States. without the
previous authority Of Congress Ii Is peculiarly unfor
unate that the new view Of the Executive authority
hould have announced first 10 foreign Government
he tendency Of which was TO diminish the legislative
expression Of what is admitted to be the unanimous
sentiment Of the people Of the United States. by deny
ng the authority Of Congress TO pronounce 1t.
Of the prudence o. that expression at this time Con.
ki'hb IN tne Dert VI .
Constitution. and the President has right 10 inn-
nce II otherwise than in the constitutional expression
II his assent or dissent when presented TO him for his
II is vain 20 suppose that such declaration increases
he danger OF war with France. The Emperor Of the
trench VIII make war on the United States when II
uits his convenience and IL be- done without dan
TO his interests. Till then in the absence Of wrong
u insult ON our part there will be When that
time arrives we shall have war matter how meek,
nOhensve or puslllanirnous our conduct may be- for
ur sin is our freedom and power and tho only SAFETY