[1] The president complies with this provision by sending to congress at the beginning of each regular session his annual message.  And at other times, as occasion demands, he sends special messages.

[2] Congress has been convened in extra session by presidential proclamation only twelve times in all.  The senate is frequently convened in extra session at the close of the regular session to consider appointments.  This usually happens on the accession of a new president.

[3] No occasion has ever arisen for the exercise of this power.

[4] In all governments, diplomatic intercourse with other governments is carried on through the executive department. (See pages 347 and 349.)

By “receiving” an ambassador, the country from which he comes is “recognized” as an independent sovereignty, a nation.  Ambassadors may be rejected or dismissed, if personally objectionable to this country, if the countries from which they come are not recognized as belonging to the sisterhood of nations, or if the relations between their country and this become unfriendly.  Nations at war with each other do not exchange ambassadors; each recalls its representative at the time of declaring war.  Our ambassadors or other public ministers may be rejected by other nations for the reasons given above.

It will readily be seen that this power or duty may impose upon the president at times, grave responsibility.  The nature of this responsibility may be understood when we remember the efforts made by the confederate states to secure recognition of their agents at the courts of London and Paris, during the civil war.  For either country to have recognized them would have been to interrupt our friendly relations with that country, and might have led to war between it and us. (See page 347.)

[5] This is the president’s most important duty; and it is his duty to enforce the law whether he believes in its wisdom or not.  He acts through the executive officers previously referred to.

[6] The commission bears the signature of the president and the great seal of the United States, the latter affixed by the secretary of state.

SECTION IV.—­RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS.

The president, vice-president, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

The word “civil” in the provision is used here in distinction from military and naval.  It is generally understood that members of congress are not “civil officers” within the meaning of this provision.  Military and naval officers are tried by courts-martial, and members of congress are subject to trial by the house to which they belong.

The definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors” rests with the senate.  Treason is defined in the constitution, and bribery has a meaning understood by all.