Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-06
THE PRESIDENTS VETO.

THE PRESIDENTS VETO.
The subjoined remarks on the Presidents We
to, are from recent pamphlet, said To be written
by citizen Of greatrespecabili,y and talents.
This veto, as the power is now claimed. is
an anomaly in free government. 1t is founded
in principle at variance with the Fundamental
principle. the power of the people 10 make their
laws. and the superior weight and influence Of the
legislative body.
1t is when exercised as check upon the repre-.
sentatives Of the people in ordinary legislation
an arrogant pretension. and an odious power. in.
consistent with our republican plaza power
which has been totally abandoned. even in the
monarchical governments from whichit was Dor
rOwed-a power which the King Of England,
with all his sovereign attributes and powerful in
huence, has not dared for century to exercise.
A negative upon the laws was confded to the
executive, chiefly to protect himself from
croachment, to guard against hasty legislation,
aud for the correction Of pal pable errors
But if the power, which has brcome obsolete
elsewhere, is to become dominant power in
this government, to control the constitution, even
against the expressed will of the people, and to
protec. the States against themselves, it becomes
the duty Of the citizen to see how the power is
exerted, and to know the opinions and principles
Of those ~ whom the power Is entrusted.
This negative, cOnhded to the executive for ca
ses of extreme necessity. 0fsrare occurrence, is
now erected into an independent power and high
prerugativp, and forms part Of general system,
by which the executive is drawing to himself all
| the power of the government, through which he
| may, upon any pretence OF constitutional scru-
Pile, or views Of expediency or personal caprice,
| cOunteract the will Of the people, and direct and
| control. by his own authority, the whole course
! Of legislation.
This assumption, whether arising from error or
| ambition, from weakness or passion. from misap-
profession Of duty, or the love Of power, is equal
ly dangerous to the constitution, and will be ia.
tai to the best interests and hopes of the country
The President now claims to refuse his as
sent TO laws deliberately passed by majority of
the people&States( upon principles long approved)
not only on constitutional exceptions. but upon
mere grounds of expediency, constituting him.
self the sole judge Of what is useful, necessary
and proper.
| He claims TO decide not only what NAV be
done, but when and where, and how it may be
| done.
! tie maintains that every officer and magistrate
called to execute the laws OF the Union. must de-
eide for himself upon their constitutonalitv, aud
whether they shall, be executed. which must lead
to utter confusion and total Decentralization.
He claims not only to decide OH the bills pre-
sented, to him. but upon all those laws which
have been enacted with all the forms of the con.
| stitution.
He dlsregards the authority of the Supreme
Court, aud will not execute their DEGREES.
Tie has wrought all entire revolution in the 60
vernment. He has concentrated in himself all
the power which the constitution designed to re.
! sbe tha ,linat II
ticaly nulIifes the power of Congress, the autho.
rity of the Court, the will Of the people, and the
rights of major,ties. He destroys the principle
Of representation, and defeats the objects of pub.
lie discussion. the advantages of local iniorma-
ton, and all the benefits Of comparison and
compromise of opinions and interests.
| IL the people are competent to understand their
own interest and to govern themselves. which is
the idea on which all free governments rest, there
is no danger in allowing them free action, and
no occasion Tor restraints upon their authority
Ii the people cannot trust themselves, shall
they trust one mans II the opinions aud princi.
Piles OF the executive correspond with those who
elect him, the power is unnecessary; if they diff
fer, It Is IS dangerous in practice il is absurd in
theory.
II the people cannot govern themselves, there
Is an end to all our hopes. II one man, even
wise anu aoie one, can shape the constitution,
control Congress aud the Courts. countervaiI the
authority Of the States. and majority of the peo-
pie. 1t is the government of one man, call il as
you will, which can be tolerated no longer than he
embodes public sentiment and responds to public
opinion.
Tie power Of the veto was generously coniided
as shield to the executive, to be used only on
extraordinary occasions, and with the greatest
caution and deiicacy: il is now perverted IN a |
supreme and oveuuilng and directing power,
power greater than tine people. and superior to
oil the other powers OF the government.