American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-10-10
- NV PGticy.S

For the President to originate policy
and use every influence at his command
to carry it through, contrary to the will
of Congress, is unconstitutional, however
customary; and in high degree dan
gerous in its tendency.
The powers of government are classed
under three heads-Legislative, Execu
tive and Judicial The duties and pow.
ers of each are clearly defined by the
Constitution. These cannot clash, ex-
cept by one Or the other overstepping its
con; titutional bounds The President is
the executor of laws the ration's right
hand. lie is not law maker Congress
is the sole law,maker Shall the hand
say to the head, g have thought of my
own 2"
The hand mag send information to the
head, but the head directs the hand. A
President may "give information" to Con
gress. lie may ''recommend' laws and
measures 'to their consideration" But
surely he can constitutionally do no more
than .his.
Shall Speaker Collax dictate decisions
to Judge Chase Shall Judge Chase re,
verse military orders issued by the Pres,
ident? May Congress NEEDLE with Court
or Court with Congress As little may
the President interfere with either Court
or Congress. The rermancnce of our
Government depends upon each depart
ment respecting the dignity of the other
two, and thus avoiding collision.
What shall We say then Ghen a Presi-
dents policy seeks to preoccupy the place
of a Congressional policy? l reply that
the executive is not charged with the
duty of policy,making. Its duty is to
execute laws and measures, not originate
them. He may recommend this or that
'to the consideration Of Congress. But
it is impertinent and unconstitutional for
the President to cndeavor to carry his
measures through Congress.
| know that it has been for many years
customary for Presidents to do So |
know that since Martin Van Buren,
taught Andrew jackson how to use Pres
idential patronage to intimdatc Con-
gressmen or buy them, it has come to be
a thing of course that the President
should endeavor to mould legi Station and
dictate laws in this unconstitutional and
indirect manner
But all this Is wrong and dangerous.
1t will eventuate sooner or later in a col
lision between the nations head and the !
nations hand--leaving Government stun
ned as to wis iom, and helpless as to
A President should not make dccrces
directly or indirectly. And, when, as
now, a President, during recess of Con-
gress, devises policy upon questions of
vital and permanent moment, and next
nastens to execute it without any advice
1r authority from Congress and next
mparts it to Congress as 'my policy,''
working finely already; and then when
Congress would examine thoroughly
md deliberate on the matter, is vexed
md angercd by criticism and delay, and
1t last undertakes to be himself tribune
If the neople, and speak maledctions on
he peoples chosen representatives, and
BY argument, threat and patronage en-
ieavor to carry out "my policy" rather
han aid and execute the laws and re-
solves Of Congress 1t is time fof citi.
.ens to be startled, and by sober and
respectful admocition declare that legis
ative power belongs exclusively to Con-
sress and does not belong iu any degree
% the Executive.
Congress may err, no doubt The
President may be wise and Congress fool
ssh. But a temporary error Of Congress
does not threaten such wide disaster as
an ovefshadowing executive power proph
estes. A Congressional error is but
blunder. A law making President is
revolution.
When in 1861 the nation was cannon. |
AIDED at Charleston, and her very Capital
threatened by gathering Rebels, the mod.
est President called for $4,000 troops, to
serve three months and keep the peace
against insurrection. And in the same
proclamation he called also for Congress.
Come, come as quick as you can, and
gice me The laaos by which to raise an ar.
my and save the nation. Congress came.
And in his first message the President
apologized for the vast responsibility he
had taken, pointing to the crisis that
compelled the act Congress promptly
legitimated all his proclamations and or.
ders, and listened respectfully to his
recommendations.