The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-03-27
THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT

other coordinate departments OF gov
ernment, for the simple reason that In
his hands is lodged the appointing
power
This fact carries extraordinary
weight, because so many Of our mem
bers of congress have so many politl-.
cal obligations to pay off and must re-
ward their henchmen with office, and
to do so they must be on good terms
with the president.
This gives to the president tremen-
dous weight, and he is usually sue
cessful in forcing his measures, viii
lingly or unwillingly, through con-
gress.
This was so in the early history of
the republic, and has continued so on
down to our times.
It was so under Jefferson, it was. so
under Jackson, it was so under Polk
it was so under Mckinley, it was so
under Roosevelt, and in all probable
itv will be so under Wilson.
This power of the president over
the congress has often been pointed
out.
A large number of the most popu-
lar, able and erudite of our states
men opposed the annexation of Texas,
but the executive was in favor of the
measure, and forced it over the heads
Of the opposing congressman.
A great number of those who then
occupied and now occupy historically
high places opposed the declaration
of war against Mexico in 1847, but the
president favored and forced the
measure over the heads of the reluct-
ant senate.
So, after the capitulation of the ar
mics of Mexico, many of our most So
ber-minded and able members oppos-
ed, in the treaty of peace, the further
stripping of Mexico of any of her ter
ritory, but while the treaty of peace
was in progress we sent larger army
across the Mexican border than at
any time during the progress of the
war, and, as the president was in ia
vor of it, the further stripping of Mex
'co Of more of her territory was a
foregone conclusion.
We acquired the possession of Cal
ifornia and New Mexico by. the men,
ace of an army of more than 10000.
which was greater number than we
had in the field from the time we
landed at Vera Cruz until the fall of
the City of Mexico.
In the course of a debate in the
senate at that time no less a states
man than Daniel Webster said:
"But it is said that we must take
territory for the sake of peace. 1t is
the will of the president. If we do
not take what he offers we may fare
worse Mr.. Polk will take no less
that he is fixed upon. He is immova-
BILE. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.!
I should be sorry, sir, very
sorry, indeed, that we should enter
tain more respect for the firmness of
the individual at the head of our gov
eminent than we entertain for our
own firmness. He stands out against
us. Do we fear to stand out against
him? For one, do not. 1t appears
to me to be slavish doctrine. For
one, l am willing to meet the issue,
and go to the people all over this
broad land!"
eve tremble before exec
utive power. The truth cannot be
concealed. We tremble before execu-
tive power! Mr.. Polk will take no
less than this. If we do not take this,
the kings anger may kindle, and he
will give us what is worse"
But, seriously now, sir, who and
what is Mr.. Polk? I speak of him
with no manner of vdisrespect.
mean, thereby, only to ask who and
what is the president of the United
States for the current moments"
*"It may be that the present in
cumbent of the presidential office will
be again presented to his party
friends and admirers for their suf-
frages for the next presidential term.
I do not say how probably or improb-
able this is. Perhaps it is not entire
ly probable. Suppose this is not the
result, what then? Why, then Mr.. Polk
becomes absolutely insignificant as
any respectable man among the pub
lie men of the United States. Honor
ed in private life, valued for his, pri-
vate character, respectable, never en-
inent, in public life, he will, from the
moment a new star arises, have just
as little influence as you or 1; and,
so far as am o0nooruad thot oarto;,