Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-11
GRANTS INAUGURAL.

To the Editors of the Union and American.
The mountain at Washington has been
in labor for some time. and has at length
brought forth mouse, in the shape Of
President Grants inaugural address.
Now, it is really refreshing to read the
unqualified laudations which TEEN in
the Radical press from every quarter in
regard to this statesmanlike and super
human document. | perceive these
ldHdatiOns and rejoicings over the poll
icy of the President elect, as Swallowed
forth in his inaugural address, are not
confined alone to the Radical partisan
press, but many citizens have caught the
inspiration, and have announced Grant
as the "Moses to whom we (the people,
must look for deliverance" Ii Presi,
dent Grant will be to the American peo-
pie, in the executive administration of
the government, what Moses was to the
children Of Israel, then | say amen to
every sentiment and declaration enunci-
ated in his inaugural, and not only that,
but he will receive the jealous and ear
nest support Of every good man and pa
triot in the land.
But what evidence have we that he
can or will perform this herculean task
Look to his antecedents and his party
affiliations. Look at the formation of his
cabinet. Has he selected statesmen and
men of brains as his constitutional ad.
visers Has he chosen men Of tried and
marked ability and of national reputation,
to advise and instruct him in the dis
charge Of the arduous and complicated
duties which will deyolVe upon him, as
the chief magistrate of this great country?
/ think not. What does Grant mean,
pray tell me, when he graVely informs the
people that he has taken the oath as
President Of the United States, as res
quired by the constitution, without
mental reservation and with the deter
mination to do, to the best of his ability,
all that it requires of him.? Did not
his predecessors take the same oath, and
perhaps with the same motives? ! Won
der if any President ever took the oath
Of office ito preserve, protect and defend
the constitution according to his cons
struction Of the powers and limitations of
that instrument, and pay no regard to
the opinions and views Of his predeces-
sors, or to the interpretations and con-
structiOns placed upon the constitution
by the supreme judicial tribunal of the
country.
| understand the form and theory OF
| this government to be this, that, the
constitution Of the United States, (Which
is the supreme law of the la1d) divides
this government in the three depart
ments, the Legislative, the Executive and
Judicial, and that the powers, duties and
functions of each are separate and coz
ordinate, and specifically enumerated
and defined in that instrument. This
doctrine is fully sustained and set forth
in the writings of Hamilton, Madison, and
Jay in the Federslist, and the teach
ings of the fathers Of therepublic" Grant
says he will recommend to Congress
from time to time such policy" as he
thinks the best interest of the country
demands, but that he will "enforce no
policy against the will of the people"
The question arises, how will be ascertain
and get at, the will of the people so as to
enforce it? 1t must be through the
Legislation of Congress. The theory Of
the government is, that Congress moi
only expresses but represents the will o.
the people, because they are the agents
and servants of the people. Suppose
Congress should enact an unconstitu'