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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
122
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want of public means, how could the Executive call- fol·, receive and support an emigration of five thousand? If contributions were liberally made throughout the Republic, a considerable time must elapse, before they could be converted into available means-such means as would enable the Executive to organize and march an army. It could not be done, at least, anterior to the meeting of the next regular session of Congress. Then it would seem that this bill would, if approved, only sanc- tion expectation, agitate the community and awaken a new fer- ment without producing any effect beneficial or satisfactory to the country. . To invite an army of five thousand volunteers into service, without means to subsist them, would be productive of incal- culable injury to the nation. I would not adventure anything fraught with so much peril to my country. The experience of seven years is before me, and in its face I could not sanction the measure, when I have not the means of employing those who might come in instant service. Heretofore a few have assumed the right of dictating to the Executive; and if five thousand were assembled they would feel confident in their numbers and power. Not only the Executive, but the nation would be at their mercy; for it is an established maxim in war, that if subordination and discipline are not maintained, an armed force is more dangerous to the security of citizens and the liberties of a country than all the external enemies that could invade its rights. Then, if we are not in a situation to receive a force of this description, or sound policy should forbid the experiment, the question would arise, from whence could the Executive derive an army for the purpose of invasion? His opinion is that he has not the power, even with the sanction of Congress, to compel the service of the militia out of the Republic. Thus Congress has not placed the means for an offensive war within his control, and he will not affect to assume a responsibility in the discharge of any trust which he deems impracticable, or subject his country to inevitable disasters and after a fruitless experiment, leave it in a condition more to be deplored than its present circumstances. These reasons are to the mind of the Executive, entirely suffi- cient to justify the interposition of his veto; but another objec- tionable feature remains to be noticed. The bill proposes to invest and clothe the Executive with extraordinary powers and discretion, which, to his mind, present important objections.
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