Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-06-25

duced its adoption. lie its theory, ii
is manifestly an innovation upon the
first principle of Republican Gov
ernment-that the majority shoald
rule. Why should "a single individual
control the will of that MAJORITY II
will not be said that there is more
probability of finding greater wisdom
in the Executive chair than IN tie
halls OF the Legislature. Nor can it
possibly be supposed that an indlv.d-
ual residing III the centre OF an eN-
tensive country can be rs well ac-
iqua:nted with the wants and wishes
10. Il numerous people. as those who
come Immediately from amongst them
the partahers, for portion OF the
year, in their various labourS and en-
p!oyments,& the witnesses OF the et-
fects of the laws in their more minute
rs well as general operations. As
far, then, as it regards 4 knowledge
of the wants and wishes of the Peo-
pie, wisdom to discover remedies for
Iexisting evils, and devis,ng schemes
for increasing the public prosperity,
it would seem that the legislative
bodies did not require the aid of an
Executive Magistrate. But there is
principle, recognized by all the ~
merican Constitutions, which was
unknown to the ancient republics.
They all acknowledge rights in the
minority, which cannot rightfulIy De
taken from thenl. Experience had
shown that in large assemblies these
rights were not always respected.
1t would be in vain that they should
be enumerated, and respect for them
enjoined in the Constitution. A pop
ular assembly, under the influence of
that spirit of party which is always
discoverable In a greater or less de-
gree mall republics, might, and would,
as it was believed, sometimes disre-
gard them. To guard against this dam
ger, and to secure the rights Of each
individual, the exped;ent of creating
department independent of the 9TH
ers,& amenable only to the laws, was
adopted. Security was thus given
against any violation of the Consti-
tuition, to the injury Of individuals.
OF of a minority party. But it was
still possible for Il wilful and excited
majority to enact laws of the greatest
injustice and tyrany. without viola
ting the letter of their charter.
And this take to be the origin Of the
veto power, as wei! in the State Govern
,nen,s as that of the United States. i;
appears to have been the intention to Gre
ate an umpire between the factions which
had existed, it was believed, and would
continue to exist If there was any pro-
pnety in adopting this principle in the
Government OF "a Safe, all the reasons in
favor Of it existed in atenfoli degree Tnr
Incorporating it in that Of the u. States
The operations of the latter, ex'endiu 2
over an imense tract of the country, EN-
bracing The products Of al'nos, every cline,
and that co"atry divided too into u num-
Der Of separate Governments, in many re-
spects independent Of each other and of
the common federal head, left bat little
hope that they could always be carried on
in harmony. II could not be doubted that
the sectional interests would at times pre-
dominate in the bosons Of the iin!aediate
representatives of the People and the
States. and combinations formed, destruc-
tive Of the public good, or unius. and OPP
! pressise to a minority. Where could u
:. power to check these local feelings, and
10 destroy the effects of uEj Just combina-
/ tons, tie better placed than in the hands
OF that department. whose authority. being
derived froE: the sane common sovereign
is coordinate with the rest, and which
enjoys the great Distinction Of being a,
! once the immediate representative Of the
/ whole people, as well as Of each psr;icu-
lar State!
/ In tie fOrme, character, the interests Of
the whole community would lie rightly
supported, and, IN the latter, the rights OF
each member steadf s',y ma ntainei.-
The representation from the State author.
ties In the Electoral C,ll-ges, | consider
enc Of the most faiiciioUs features IN the
Constitution. Ii serves as an eternal ne
'nen:o TO The Chief Magistrate that it !.
/, his duty to guard the Interests offhe wea!
!, against the unjust aggressions Of the stront
and powerful. From these premises, 20;
| will conclude that consider the qualilie.
. veto uPon the acts Of the Legislature, con
. ferred by the Constitution uDoa the Pres
, ideni, as Conservative power, inienGes
, only to be used to secure the ins.rumen
Itself from violation, or, in the times .
nigh party excitement, to protect ;h'
rights OF the minority. and the interests %
the weeke. members ofthe Union. Such