The Van Buren press., 1871-10-10

h.t must have been disappointed in the
IN 'er Of patronage. may assure them
/ tat | spoke with cool and matnre delIb
Grafton, for il will not do to trife with
such cases | will not here argue the
San Domingo matter over again. but
will say simply this: When President
orders the navy of the United States to a
fore gn country, and without condescend
ing to ask Congress for authority, in
structing our naval officers to- protect
and defend the chief of foreign gov
ernment against any foreign enemy, and
ven against his own subjects and 7co,n-l
trymen: and when he does this not only.
while negotiations are going on with that
! foreign government, which negotiations,
however, would not confer upon the
President the sutocratic power To resort
t. measures of war ct his own pleasure,
but even after the results of such uego
t a ions in tho shape OF a treaty have heen
formally and solemnlY rejected by the
Senate, and wc hlve no relations with
that foreign government and people but
the ordinary relations Of peace-when a
President does that. then he arrogates to
himself one OF the most important pow
ers belonging to the representatives of
the people; he violates the Constitution
IN all OF its most vital points, ana he con
siituies himself the arbter of peace and
war for this great Republic. And when
| am asked to endorse such an net by
supp rting that President for re election,
aid hus to aid in sanctioning by apopu
lar vote such an act as u prccedent--a
precedent which, if taken as rule OF
constitutional construction would au-
thtrze the President alone to initiate
war, under almost any circumstances and
make this Republic virtually monarchy
as t, the question Of peace and wai--
zen l. as faithful citizen Of this RepLb-
lie, who has sworn to support its Consti
tn ion, saF, Il will not do it will
not help TO re elect an officer whose re
election, sanctioniug bis previous act
with popular approval will be a justifica
tion and encouragement to all future
Presidents in committing acts of usurpa
ton still further reaching, | will not help
in paving the way to the advent of ire
sponsible personal government in this
Republic; and when | am told that by
such opposition other grave interests
may be jeoparded, answer that am
very doubtful whether the wanton lcvity
with which our Presidents are to be per
mitted to play with the peace and honol
Of the people, and the general decay oi
constitutional notions, do not constitute
in their inevitable consequences, as great
a dan err and perhaps even greater than
any now within sight. And when ! am
tauntingly reminded by pliable partisan'
that the people do not care much about
these constitutional questions, | answer
that if there are many who do not cart
about the integrity Of their republican
!, il sttutions, this constitutes only :
stronger reason why those who do car,
should make themselves heard, and ac
with determination am frequently re
, minded that declarations like those hay,
just made are apt to prove rtlinous TO
f public man Be it so | take the risk
. for | am in earnest, and am sure tn
day will come when many of those VIII,
. now shrug their shoulders tiny protes,
and predictions will, to their sorrow, AL
NIT that was right, unless this tendenc
: be speedily arrested. r