Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-21
TnelAdmipi,srasien Censured ~ rs
OWn Friends.

OWo Frfcnds.
IN the House of Repre<ens.tives. on Thurs
day last. hon. HrSRY WNrn DAVIS. Of MARY
land. ehAirnsan OF The connittee on foreign az
fairs. reported the following reaoluton from that
committee on the foreign policy of the United
States. and demanded The previous question Oh
its adoption:
Resolved, That congFcs. has a constitutions
right 90 an authoritative voice in declaring and
prescribing the foreign policy Of the United
States, a. veil In the recognition OF new powers
a. in other matters: and it Is the copsiitutioDal
duty Of the President 20 respect that policy not
les in Diplomatic relations than Ia the OF the
national forces when authorized by lag, and the
propriety Of any declaration Of foreign po'iey by
Congress is sufficiently proved by the vote Which
pronounces IL: and such proposition. While pend
ing and undetermined, not ft topic OF ciplo-
matte explanation with any foreign poser.
Mr. FAESswoKIB, OF Illinois, moved that the
resolution be laid upon The table. which was car
RED By vote Of 60 to 53 The proposition Of
Mr. DAVIS was occasioned by the representation
, Of Mr. SEwAkp. Secretary Of State TO the
French governments, acting under the instruc
; tions of the President. that the legisla
/. tive branch Of this government had no
policy OF the Uld,ed States, which representation
he offered rs an apology FOR the action Of the
House Of Representatives in protesting agains;
the Intervention Of European nations in the af-
fairs Of Mexico and declaring the policyof. ouT
government generally touching The republics Of
I. America Immediately upon this action OF The
House. Mr. DAVIS asked TO be excused from ser
vice on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. upon
the ground that he differed ia opinion from The
majority Of the House. and hence desired 70 re
iese IL from all embarrassment by giving way &c
some one who conceded with it, This request
was refused.
On Monday last Mr.. DAVIS renewed his propo
sition. and motion offered 20 iay II on the Ia
BILE was disagreed to by nays - and yeas 40
T he first branch Of the resolution, declaring th'
authority OF Congress to prescribe the foreign
policy Of the United States. was agreed to BY
a vote of liz oS. The second branch of th'
resolution. reads as follows:
=. AM the propriety OF any declaration o
foreign policy by Congress Is sufficiently proye'
hy the vote which pronounces IL; and such prop
ostion while pending and undetermined, IS not
fit topic for diplomatic explanation with al,
foreign power
Ma SEWARD in his diplomatic correspondence
had offered an explanation TO foreign power II
regard to declaration of policy by Congress
which is condemned BY this resolution Thi
branch OF the resolution. notwithstanding its re
Election upon the course of the Administration
was adopted by a vCle of 50 against 50 Thi
was not onIv'a personal triumph for Mr.. DAVIS
but decided expression against the centralizA
ton Of power. and the assumption that tho execu
tive Is superior to aud independent Of the legisa
tive branch Of the government In Euglan
such a censure would compel the resignation Q
the British ministry. They would not have bel
t5er positions for All hour in the face Of such
vote Mr. DAVIS simply because his views d
Lot appear TO harmonic with those of majorit
:. of his political friends in the House. prompt
rendered bis resignation a. member OF ID
committee on foreign relations IL will now
seen whether Mr.. SEWARD, who Is directly Ger
sufed by the adoption of Mr DAVIS resolution
will have the manliness and self respect to re
sign his position on account OF this decided COZ
demnation OF his Interpretation of the foreig
policy of the United States. as he deiberatel,
ia well considered diplomatic communication
represented il TO foreign powers We think b
will hold on to his position with death grip e
nacity, even IL the house should give him as az
were a slap on the other cheek. With some me
the love OF Office oyerrides every other considers
ton, and Mr. SrwARp will probably demonstra'
that he il Of that number