Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-08-01
NEW SERIES--V0L. 8, NO. 2.


TO strip the executive department of
the Government of some of its essen
tial powers.
The Constitution, and the oath pro-
vidcd in it, devolves upon the Presi-
dent the power and duty to see that
the laws are faithfully executed. The
Constitution, in order to carry out
this power, gives him the choice of
the agents, and makes them subject to
his control and supervision but in tho
execution OF these laws the constitu-
tional obligation upon the President
remains, but the power TO exercise
that constitutional duty is efiectually
taken away. The military commander
is,as to the power ofappointment,m made
to take the place Of the President, and
the general Of the army the place of the
Senate, and any attempt on the part
Of the President to assert his own con
stitutional power may, under pretence
OF law, be met by official insubordina-
tion.
II is to be feared that these military
officers, looking to the authority given
by these laws, rather than to the let
ter of the Constitution, will recognize
no authority but the commander of
the district and the general Of the
army. If there wero no other objec-
ton than this to this proposed legisla-
tion, it would be sufficient. Whilst |
hold the chief executive authority of
the United States; whilst the obliga-
tion rests upon me, to see that all the
laws are faithfully executed, can
never willingly surrender that trust,
or the powers given for its execution I;
| can never give my assent TO be made
responsible for the faithful execution
of laws, and at the same tin surren-
der that trust and the powers which
accompany it, to any other executive
officer, high or low, or to any number
of executive officers.
If this executive trust, vested by the
Constitution in the President, is TO be
taken from him and vested in a subor-
dinate officer, the responsibility will
be with Congress, in clothing the sub
ordinate with unconstitutional power,
and with the officer who assumes its
exercise. This interference with the
constitutional authority Of the execu-
tive department is an evil that will in
eyitably sap the foundations OF our
federal system, but il is not the worst
evil Of this legislation. Ii is great
public wrong to take from the Presi-
dent powers conferred on him alone
by the Constitution. But the wrong
is more fragrant and more dangerous
when the powers so taken from the
President are conferred upon subor-
dinate executive officers, and especial
ly upon military officers Over near
ly one third of the States of the Union
military power, regulated by no fixed
law, rules supreme. Each one of the
five district commanders, though not
chosen by the people or responsible
TO them, exercises at this hour more
executive power, military and civil,
than the people have ever been willing
to confer upon the head OF the execu-
tive department, though chosen by
and responsible TO themselves. The
remedy must come from the people
themselves. They know what it is,
and how it is to be applied. At the
present time they cannot, according
to the forms of the Constitution, re-
peal these laws. They cannot remove
or control this military despotism.
The remedy is nevertheless in their
hands. 1t is TO be found in tho ballot,
and is sure one, if not controlled by
fraud, overawed by arbitrary power,
or from apathy on their part too long
delayed.
With abiding confidence in their
patriotism, wisdom and integrity, / am
still hopeful Of the future and that in
the end the rod Of despotism will be
broken, tho armed heel of power lift |
ed from the necks of tho people, and |
the principles of a violated Constitu-
tion preserved ANDREw JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1867.