Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-21
THE PRESIDENT AND ARMY REGU.
LATIONs.


There have been many criticisms on the
Presidents tour from Radical sources, but
We think that the Army and Nary Journal,
Of late date, puts the point little finer
than anything we have seen. 1t says that
the Presidents denunciation OF the Radical
majority Of Congress is IN violation Of the
Fgjlh Article Of Rar, which visits with pen
alties 9any officer or soldier who may use
contemptuous or disrespectful words against
the Congress of the United States" The
President Of the United States, in the dis
charge Of his civil functions, must take care
that he does not offend a military regula-
ton. To rebuke the audacions course OF
the Legislature, is, in him, high military
misdemeanor, and renders him liable to
trial by court-martial, under penalty of sus-
pension of pay, and dismissal. This is the
quintessence Of absurdity.
The President, in denouncing before the
American people the Radical majority in
Congress, was not only in the pale Of his
right as the first civil officer Of the Govern
ment, but in the discharge Of his duty. So
far from being guilty Of improperly, he
would have been derelict had he not said
and done all that he has. This allusion to q
military law applicable to him is silly. Il
is the suggestion Of a martinez gone mad
Because the President is Communicate
Chief Of the army and navy, he is to suffer
Congress TO rule him, the army and the
navy, the people and the Government as Il
pleases, and never lift a voice in remon-
STRANGE or rebuke. If he does so, he is in
subordinate to army regulations, and the
discipline must be enforced.
This is not worthy Of attention except al
an evidence of the hostile spirit which ami
mates the enemies Of the President in thu
interest Of Congress holding the purse string
of the nation and Of the extraordinary pre-
sumption which the military, in these de
moralized times, may be guilty Of. In fac
there has been no greater exhibition of tn,
bad effects which flow from war, and the ia
miliarizing Of mere soldiers with a sense o
their importance, than such language from
such source. The Army and Nary JoiTR
al is in itself of doubtful propriety. 1t j
edited by army officers, who are nursing tn
idea that an army is the strong arm of thi
Government; that it has upheld the Gov
eminent; and that in free republic it is alb
solutely necessary to the maintenance Of Law
and order. The truth is there isnot to be peac
andsecurity liberty in this country till thes
army gentlemen are reduced to their prope
rank, and made TO know that this is gov
eminent OF laws made by an intelligent ant
free people for their own government an
that an army is a mere appendage, some
thing to be used in an exigency, but neve
suffered to oyerstep its proper sphere. Whel
the public virtue shall be sufficiently strOn
to discourage army associations and arm.
journals, the epauletted upstairs who assum
TO lecture the civil head Of the government
ON questions Of government policy will fin
their level; and we shall have no more sue
nonsense as quoting an article Of war t
muzzle and cripple the Executive voice an
arm when it is necessary to exert ther
against intrigue, corruption and avowe
treachery.