Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-16


eign affairs.
Mr.. Cox said, the country and the oonti-
nent has been insulted by the French In
: tervention in the affairs of Mexico. The
House in a moment of pride of nationality
and true dignity asserted its proper prerog-
alive on this question, and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs carried out its wishes
: He did not think the gentleman from Ma
ryland should ask to be excused from serv-
ing on the committee unless he holds this
House and Congress in utter and absolute
contempt. He hoped something would be
done to Yiniicate the House from Ex-
ecutive or Diplomatic aggrandiasment.
We have had for three years some Of
the old questions which have agitst ID Eng
land for centuries namely: the contest be-
tween royal perOgative and parliamentary
privilege with the exception that in Eng
land the parliament is paramount, and we
in this country ought to be, The gentle
man from Maryland had only asserted
the Congress ona right against executive
usurpstion and therefore deserves the
thanks Of every national man He appeal
ed to every gentleman here to vi1dicate
the dignity of Congress. There was no
doubt in his mind but that Congress has, if
not controlling, large voice in directing
tho foreign relations of the country,
1t seems, however, by laying the resolution
on the table, the House thought otherwise
But tho gontlonlan from Maryland should
not take umbrsge at anything the House
should do, as he exposed Executive inter-
! ference by the manifesto he had the bold
ness to vindicste before the people. In
conclusion ne expressed the hope that the
House would not pass the vote of censure
on the Committed by excusing the genule-
man from Maryland from service on it.
If the House would do so, it would sink to
the lowest level, and deserve to be placed
at the foOtstool Of power and kicked by
the Executive. He would vote against ex-
cusing the gentleman. BE could testify
to his outspoken frankness, and we need
Just such a man now and hereafter on the
COMMITTED. ..
Mr.. Blaine saidthst parallel of history
was sometimes worth looking at The
foreign correspondence with France
brought this question before the House
three quarters of centuay ago, We had |
6 difficulty with this same nation, and this |
difficulty resulted in giving US procedure. |
The very ssme objections and appeals were |
made during the administration of Wash |
lngto /, by Genet, and pressed up Jeffer-
son, then Secretary of State, and he called
attention to facts, reading them from
the life of Jefferson. Genet and
Jefferson had discussed 8 friendly |
proposition, which Genet had brought |
with him from his own nation, and Eaid it
ought not to be adopted without consulting
Congress. Genet having got into a more
moderate tone, jefferson stopped him and
explained the functions of our Government,
saying that all these questions belonged to
the Executive Department and even if
Congress was in session, they could not
be referred to it. Genet asked if |
Congress was not sovereign, Mr.. Jefferson
said no and that Congress was sovereign
only in making laws, the executive in ex-
ecuting, and the Judiciary in constructing
them. Said Mr.. Genet, Congress binds us
to treaties and their observance. Mr.. JEFF
ferson said no, there are very few losses
arising out of treaties, Of which Congress
can take notice. Mr.. Genet was satisfied
that we have the Same Constitution which
existed at that day. He could not see
anything more mischievous than for Con-
gress to plant itself on the rolesutioo.
It overL1rns the entire history vf Jun
Government aud sets out in an entirely
new course. He thought the House iusti-
fed itself by laying the resolution on the
table.
Mr.. Stevens said he was so obtuse that
he failed TO see the analogy between the
cases cited by the gentleman from Maine
Jefferson very properly told Genet that
Congress had no right to interfere with
e+;pu1o4iouu for 4raaFiau brrr ha Coy, |
stitution are the supreme law Of the land.
This is the whole extent of the precedent.
He cOdld not see that it had any bearing
on the question before them. Suppose
Congress should pass law not permitting
any foreign power to establish monarchy
on the Continent OF America. Has not Con-
gress power to say we will suffer thrones
to be erected within our dominions if we
can inforce our will. Mr., Stevens had no
censure to bestow on this body. 1t did
not become Congre g to say: "Get out of
the way, MIX 4 iherstics, and do not in
terfere with the grand policy Of the Re-
publics Of this continent" And we're they
to pause because foreign governments
found fault, and because gentlemen say,
Here, the questions mean nothing,
and the representatives of the
people are nothing that their ssnss
Of policy meslJ nothing. You need not
trouble ourselves about It, for the Secrsts-
ry of State viii take care that these i'm
pertinent boys shall do no harm" Itwss
the duty of the House to vindicste the dig
nifty of the country, and to elevate it from
the low depth to which il has sunk.
Mr.. Boutwell, said it wsswell known that
at the last session, the House passed q
resolution affirming the Monroe doctrine,
which was not sustained by tho Senate;
hence the resolution could not be taken as
an expression Of Congress. 1t merely
expressed the willof this House. The re-
solution which the House laid upon the table
on this point asserts that Congress,
not the House, has a constitutional right
to an authoritative declaring and preserv-
ing the foreign policy of the United States
as well as the recognition Of new powers,
as in other matters.
The discussion on this subject was con-
tinued for some time longer by various
members.
Mr.. Holman, Of Indiana, introduced a
resolution, directing the secretary of War
to furnish a copy of the order, issued De-
cember 21st, 1868. in regard to troops
enlisted, on condition that they should be
discharged when the regiments were
mustered out of service. Also, the order
dated December, 1863, addressed 10 the
Governor of Massachusetts, in regard to
troops to fill up old regiments. Also to
inform the House, whether the principles
therein announced have been applied to
old soldiers to fill up old regiments.
Mr.. Schenck objected to the considera-
ton Of the resolution, unless it were re-
ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs,
who he said now had that subject under
consideration, and had already obtained
information concerning It.