If the President were a king, with the kingly prerogative either to declare war or to make treaties, he might do what he has done; but being only President, with the limited powers established by the Constitution, he cannot do it.
Sumner asserts that the President cannot act like a king in matters of war and treaties due to constitutional limits.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
This will be the FREEDOM POWER, whose single object will be to resist the SLAVE POWER.
I am in favor of a tariff for revenue, such a one as will yield a sufficient amount to the treasury to defray the expenses of the government, economically administered.
Still further: every ship-of-war that floats costs more than a well-endowed college.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Other voices in this conversation
