WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
486
Texas and certain foreign powers respecting the continuance of our sovereignty as a nation." The Executive is satisfied that the great excitement alleged does not in truth exist. That efforts have been made to produce a general excitement throughout the country by persons endeavoring to agitate the public mind since the beginning of the present administration, some of whom have declared that a combination was formed for the purpose of putting down the government by revolution, is readily admitted. But to assume this as a general feeling is derogatory to the character of our citizens, a slander upon their principles and degrading to us as a nation. Since the declaration of our inde- pendence up to the present moment, the people have never enjoyed more tranquility, more confidence in the permanency of our insti- tutions, nor higher hopes for the future than they have for months past and do now. No Congress has ever convened in the Republic under auspices more favorable to our national success and the general prosperity and peace of the country, than that which has recently assembled. Fully impressed with all the circumstances surrounding the nation and acquainted with the arduous and untiring labors which its officers have performed since the present administration com- menced, the Executive communicated to Congress at the opening of its session, all the intelligence he conceived necessary and proper to be presented in his annual message. It is the undoubted right of the Executive of the nation to communicate his recom- mendation of such measures as he may from time to time deem proper, and it is equally his right to withold from disclosure such information as, if made public, might operate to the prejudice of the country. In calls for information by the legislative bodies of all countries where they exist, and particularly in the United States, to whose institutions ours are most nearly assimilated, such information only is requested as in the judgment of the Executive it would not be incompatible with the public interests to communicate. It would be an absurdity to suppose that our national interests could be compromitted or our sovereignty as a nation jeoparded or ceded away by the Executive or any other individual. The constitution declares that the Executive "shall, with the advice and consent of two thirds of the Senate, make treaties; and with the consent of the Senate appoint ministers and consuls," thus rendering nugatory all Executive action upon international sub- jects, unless sanctioned or concurred in by ·two thirds of that
j
' I
Powered by FlippingBook