Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-04-17
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE

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Editors Memphis Appeal;
The senate having ratified the treaty
for the ACQUISITION of the Russian posses
sions at Sitka, the United States flag will
fy in sovereignty in the arctic circle.
This is the first acquisition Of detached
territory that has yet been made by the
United States. There seems to be no
| one sanguine enough to imagine that a
state can be formed up there, when al
most the entire population is and must
continue Esquimaux. Hence this re-
zion must be permanently governed as a
dependence. The significant point IN
this action Of our government 3,
that it indicates the desire of the
northern people for the acquisition
Of British America. When we con-
slider the immense empire already
pOssessea by the United States, it seems
strange that such an avidity should eX-
list for such vast additions of territory,
most Of which is utterly useless for the
purposes Of civilization. When one
contemplates the physical extent of the
United States already, and the vast in-
crease of population naturally to be eX-
pected in comparatively a short period
Of national life, it is difficult to see how
the country can be held together. But
All ideas Of moderation or conservatism
have fled from the dominant party. The
country is madly rushing on, no one
knows where, and the final result no
one q f0resee.
The day now rapidly approaching for
the hearing of the motion inthe supreme
court for leave TO file the bill OF iDjunc-
ton in behalf Of the state Of Mississippi
against Andrew Johnson, president. and
Gen. Ord, is looked forward to with a
81 = n#naaaH IF 10 HnnanrEEanA
that the principal preliminary objection
of the Acknowledgment to the courts Ia
king Jurisdiction Of the case is, that the
president Of the United States, being a
coordinate department of the govern
ment. cannot thus be made a party in
court. that if,the state has any cause to
complain Of the acts OF congress in this
instance, relief must be sought by suing
asch or any individual person exc
onting such acts within her limits. The
counsel for the state rely on the principles
laid down in Marbury VS.. Madison, and
Stockton vs.. Kendall. In that and other
cases the court decided that when the
dutv to be performed by a public officer
vas simply ministerial, not involving the
exercise Of discretion, that the court
would compel the performance Of the
dntv. The question of debate, then, on
this nTRlAHAI AM~ gAfELNAkoH 10 AlAAAEA
fhe n~Tesident's duty IN the execution Of
tbese acts of congress involves discretion
ar ie merely ministerial. The counsel
for fbe state insist that the president has
no discretion in the matter that what
No does il simply ia a ministerial capac-
ity The state OF Georgia will Join in
s ~applieation. It is understood that
~ governors Of the other southern
stsfes decline to Join in this suit. These
s~,ticafions from Mississippi and Georgia
I'll however, be sufficient to test the
iaoai anestions involved.
The state department has been in quite
n a,,rrv for the last day or two I'VE the
annlication Of the Austrian minister for
t6e exercise Of the good offices Of the
TTnifed States with the Juasez govern
mept in the event OF Msxlmllian's fall
inc ;nto the hands OF the republican
forces. MaximHian movements are re-
90 @dsd AZ an effort 70 retire with the
ecIat Of personal danger from bis lost
fbrone. It is to be hoped that he may,
II 4 very early day, be able to gain the
Of battle, which is inevitable, under
sueh circumstances, as may provide for
ma immediate withdrawal from the
Mexican stage.
n Il amusing to see the immense zeal
manifested BY the coloTed voters Of this
civ in having themselves registered for
ms purpose Of enjoying the luxury Of
votingin the municipal election here IN
II these political neophites were
onlv half as Industrious il working at
daily labor, they would, it is to be
imagined, find themselves better off 1t
end oSthe month. Bnt they quit
to lounge about and enjoy the con-
Of being electioneered with.
awhile, they will doubtless learn
attention to public affairs, however
pleasant, is not remarkably profitable.
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