Title: Abraham Lincoln War Powers Constitution President Congress
Headings: President Abraham Lincoln and War Powers
Conclusion
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Content: and they resolved to so frame the Constitution that no one man should hold the power of bringing this oppression upon us. But your view destroys the whole matter, and places our President where kings have always stood.” --1846, Congressman  Abraham Lincoln addressing President James Polk
Separation of Powers
Governmental power and functions in the United States rest in three branches of government: the legislative, judicial, and executive. Article 1 of the Constitution defines the legislative branch and vests power to  legislate in the Congress of the United States. The executive powers of the President are defined in Article 2. Article 3  places judicial power in the hands of one Supreme Court and inferior courts as Congress sees necessary to  establish. Though in this system of a "separation of powers" each branch operates independently of  the others. However, there are built in "checks and balances" to prevent tyrannous concentration of power in any one branch  and to protect the rights and liberties of citizens. For example, the President can veto bills approved by Congress and the  President nominates individuals to serve in the Federal judiciary;