The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-13
PRICE, FIVE CENTS.


Hayes was exercised upon this roint--not want
log TO call an extra session If he could help it,
and also not designing to infringe tho law IL
'he real scope OF his powere in such
promises could be made clear to him.
NOW u 10 claimed, most respectfully as to att-
thonty, mat our army exists, like the British
army, by yearly consent Of Parliament lCon-
gress) embodied in tho laws providing means for
Its maintenance" That therefore tho withhold
ing OF this consent 10 tantamount, by due con-
struotion OF the intent Of legislators, to enact
ment that there 10 no further need of
regular military force, and hence no
occasion for q renewal OF the annual
permission or consent by which such goroe
may exist. This view means that the army IL. in
absence Of new legislation, abolished, or rather,
divorced from the people, Immediately upon tho
close OF the fiscal yoar for which tho last law
passed provided means Ct subsistence, pay, etc,
That 10 to say, In thi, view, the army stands
abolished, to take fleet June 80, proximo. Con-
gress has been summoned to meet In October
leaving necessary hiatus of four months and
fifteen days between the last day OF the regularly
and legally authorized existence of The army and
the first possible day for q renewal of its plain
license Of being. What will Mr.. Hayes do In this
Interim hTwst the question in any form and
ths one answer comes back, ..He must take the
responsibility Of maintaining standing army in
time OF peace without the consent of Congress-
This. in point of raot, raises ono OF tho gravest
ssnes of constitutional interpretation and gives
rise to one OF the most solemn questions of pre-
cedent that have ever been presented for public
consideration since tho foundation of f1eo popu-
Inr -, n.
Surely Ii President, OF his own volition, can
maintain an armed force Of whatever strength
without authority from the legislative branch of
the government, and II ne may by mere exer-
else OF executive will keep in our midst an on
gine OF such potentialty to give effect
to the lawless designs OF rulers. as
an army always 10, what other bo.der
or wickeder project may We not say tho
country and tho people should prepare for?
Nobody may suspect Hayes Of wicked designs,
based upon tho powers OF the army, to give effect
to despotic will, whim caprice. But that la
not the question. The question is whether any
President, be ne OF good or bad Intentions may
in this manner perpetnato any dangerous engine
in our midst in tho face OF present lack Of con-
sent, and in Wow Of possible express dissent ON
the part of the people through their represents
tives 30 soon 40 they may again be heard2 To
me this s graver question In Its abstract bear
iDgs than has before been presented TO an Anglo
Saxon people since Charles 1 went down 10 the
Commons looking for yane and Hampden. It
matters not that Mr.. Hayes means well. IL the
Savior wore in his place the same considerations
could be urged against this rashest OF all rash
steps,
AN ATTEIPr TO DEFY THE WILL or THE PEOPLE,
and to spit upon tho action of their representa-
tiyes. Nor oan the patriotism Of the srmy itself
be urged on tho ground that, as it is willing to
work and wait for it's pay, trusting to the equities
OF Congress when ii shall next convene, it may
be still further relied on not to abuse or be by
any body made tho instrument Of abusing
its authorized power and brute force ad interim.
The proposition is broader than that. II is as
broad rs this: III an army can be maintained
in this country at the will OF one man.
then our government is an autocracy. II upon
an order in Cabinet OF eight men, tLen we are an
ligsrchy for the power to levy troops and main
tain an armed force for any purpose whatsoever
la prerogatiye at the bottom and foundation Of
all other possible or conceivable prerogatiyes
Of government. Mr.. Hayes does not, somehow,
seem to have caught all the significance OF this
tremendous question. He may be enabled to SOC
it moro clearly in the sequel. A. G. b.