[George_1950]

The war is "a wanton outrage upon the Constitution"; "the president's policies (have been) incredible, mendacious, ruinous, mischievous, disgraceful, dishonorable, reckless, and infamous." And, the president, "...waging war against the Constitution, was a free people's greatest enemy."

[RickJ]

Robert S. McElvaine has made comments very similar, recently, regarding Bush.

... but I'll guess that the quotes you cite are not of this era.

Can you give us a hint? Was it 19th Century (1800s)?

[George_1950]

Not McElvaine; and yes it was in the 19th century.

[HistorianChick]

Abraham Lincoln :)

[RickJ]

Is that correct? I supposed Civil War but would have guessed a Confederate

[HistorianChick]

Ooo... I was wrong...

The reply to Lincoln's communication, signed by Campbell, Peyton, and
Lellyett, appeared in the World on election day, November 8:

``To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States.
SIR: Your letter in reply to the Tennessee protest has reached us, and
Has, no doubt, been read by the people. The argument on this subject is
Nearly exhausted, but we have some additional and most important facts to
Submit to the people, in further elucidation of the subject. Our wonder is
Not excited to learn that you had not seen the proclamation of Governor
Johnson, and scarcely heard of it until presented by us. It is an evil of
No small magnitude, connected with your administration, that military
Subordinates assume despotic powers without asking the sanction of their
Superiors---even presuming to give law to the people by proclamation and
To repeal and modify our laws at will. The idea that the President himself
Can make, or repeal, or modify a law of the land, state or national,
Constitutional or statutory, though freely practiced upon by yourself, is
A doctrine of despotism in `irrepressible conflict' with the principles of
Public liberty. And when these things are done by subordinates, the evil
Becomes intolerably oppressive, and calls for the firmest and most active
Lawful resistance which a people deserving to be free can offer.

``You tell us that `the movement set on foot by the convention and
Governor Johnson does not, as seems to be assumed by you, emanate from the
National executive.' What we did assume is, that the plan was promulgated
By proclamation of the military governor, who has no authority but that
Derived directly from you, and it was given the force of law by his edict.
It thus became indirectly your act; and now that you decline to order the
Edict to be recalled or modified, it becomes your own as fully as if it
Had emanated from you. `In no proper sense,' you say, `can it be
Considered other than an independent movement of at least a portion of the
Loyal people of Tennessee.' Independent of what? Manifestly independent of
all lawful authority---independent of and at war with the federal
Constitution, which you have both sworn to support, protect, and defend.
What right has a citizen or officer to favor an `independent movement' at
variance with the Constitution, and support the same by force of arms?
What less is this than waging war against the Constitution of the United
States, and the government established thereby?

W. B. CAMPBELL, of Wilson county,
``Nashville, October 29.'' ``BAILIE PEYTON, of Sumner county,
``JOHN LELLYETT, of Davidson county.''

(Pretty bad mistake on my part... I live in Sumner county... )

[RickJ]

Your research is admirable, HC ;)

... I hunted and hunted for who said those quotes and could not find it

[HistorianChick]

Nice try, but...

I got it, right?

Eventually... Lol!

[George_1950]

That is good work, HC, and close in time. Who were "Campbell, Peyton, and
Lellyett"? Sound like lawyers.

Another hint: the criticism of the president came at the conclusion of the war with Mexico.

[HistorianChick]

Wow... OK... now you have me hooked, George...

Give me a bit... I will find it! :)

[HistorianChick]

I am having NO luck whatsoever! Was it said to Polk??

Rah...

[RickJ]

Give me a bit... I will find it! :)

You may find it here cause I found it first! :p :p
The race is on.

Drat you, George, you've got me hooked too! :p

[HistorianChick]

Ooo... touche'! :D

[RickJ]

Please tell, am I getting warmer or colder..

I'm now thinking that a Confederate regarding the Civil War is too obvious...

a. Is the President referred to a US President?
b. Is the speaker speaking of a President in office during one of the 3 major wars of the 18th century: War of 1812, Mexican-American War or Civil War?

[HistorianChick]

I'm looking under Polk declaring war on Mexico in 1846...

I need some validation too, George... :)

[George_1950]

Attributed to a speech in Congress concerning the behavior of President Polk in 1848.

[HistorianChick]

Yessss... OK... narrowing it down...

[HistorianChick]

It wasn't Ulysses S. Grant, was it?

[George_1950]

Did Grant speak of the war with Mexico in Congress?

[HistorianChick]

Yes, he did.

General Ulysses S. Grant identified the U.S. Aggression War Against Mexico as “one of the most unjust [wars] ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation.. . The occupation, separation, and annexation [of Texas] were, from the inception of the movement to its final consummation, a [slave-power] conspiracy to acquire territory out of which slave States might be formed for the American Union [U.S.A.]. Even if the annexation itself could be justified, the manner in which the subsequent war was forced on Mexico cannot.. . The Southern Rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations like individuals are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary [bloody] and expensive war of modern times.. . United States troops.. . Were sent [by President Polk] to provoke a fight [war].. . Mexico showing no willingness to come to the Nueces [River] to drive the invaders from her soil, it became [policy] for the [U.S. troops] to approach [aggress even further, i.e. to ].. . Occupy a [still-deeper-into-Mexico] position near the largest centre of population possible.”—Grant's Personal Memoirs (New York: C.L. Webster & Co, 1885-1886), Vol. I, Chapter II, pp 53-56, et seq.

EDIT: In his personal memoirs... crud...