Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-08-05

the United States previously 10 the lorna.
ton OF the present Federal Constitutions
IL does not appear. however, TO have been
IN much favor. The principle was TO be
tound IN but three of the State Conslitu-
tons; and in but one of them (Massachu.
setts) was The Executive power lodged in
The hands OF single Chief Magistrates
One other State tSouth Carolna) had in
deed. not only adopted this principle, but
had gwen its single Executive Magistrate
an absolute negative upon acts of IN G Leg
islature. In all other instances it has been
qualified negative, like that of the United
States. The People of South Carolina
SEEM however, not to have been long plea
sed with this investment of power in their
Governor, as it lasted but two years; hav.
ing be en- adopted in l776 and repealed in
l778; from which time the acts of the
Legislature OF that State have been entirely
freed from Executive control. Since the
adoption of the Constitution of the United
States, the veto principle has been adopted
by several other States. and until very
lately, it seemed to be rapidly growing into
favor.
Before we can form a correct opinion of
the manner in which this power should be
exercised, il is proper TO understand the
reasons which have induced its adoption.--
In its theory, it is manifes,ly an innova
ton upon the first principle Of Republcan
Government-that the majority should rule.
Why should single individual control the
will of that majority? 1t will not be said
that there is more probability of finding
greater wisdom in the Executive chair ,ha n
in the halls of Legislature. Nor can it
possibly be supposed that an individual
residing in the centre of an extensive
country can be as well acquainted with the
wants and wishes OF numerous Ieople, as
those who come Immediately from amongst
them--the partakers, for portion of the
year, in their various labors and employ
ments, and the witnesses Of the effects of
the laws in their more minute as well as
genera operation. AS far, then as regards
knowledge of the wants and wishes OF
the people, wisdom to discover remedies for
existing evils, and devising schemes for
increasing the public prosperity, it would
seem that the legislative bodies did not
require the aid of an Executive Magis-
trate. But there is principle, recognized
by all the American Constitutions, which
was unknown to the ancient republics
They all acknowledge rights in the minor.
i'y, which cannot rightfuly be taken from
them Exsericnce had shown that in large
assemblies tSese rights %c.:sT~not always
respected. 1t would be in vain that they
should be enumerated, and respect for them
enJoned in the constitution. A popular
assembly, under the influence of that spirit
Of party which is always discoverable in a
greater or less degree in all republics,
might, and would as it was believed some
times disregard them. To guard against
this danger, and to secure the rights of
each individual. the expedicnt of creating a
Department independent Of the others, and
amenabe only TO the laws, was adopted.
Security was thus given against any pal
pable violation of the Constitution, TO the
injury of individuals or of a minority party.
But it was still possible for wifui and
excited majority to enact laws of the great
est injustice and tyranny, without violating
the letter of their charter.
Security was thus given against any
pa pabe violation of the Constitution, to
The injury of individuals, or of a minority
party. But it was still possible for wIfuI
and excited majority to enact laws of the
greatest injustice and tyranny, without
And this take TO be the origin of the
veto power, as well in the State Govern
ments as that of the United States. 1t ap
pears to have been the intention to Great e
an empire between the contending factions
which had existed, it was believed, and
would continue to exist. Ifthere was any
propriety in adopting this principle in the
Government of State, all the reasons in
favor OF it existed in a tenfold degree for
Incorporating it in that part of the United
States. The operations of the latter, ex-
tending over on immense tract of coun
try. embracing the products of almost eve.
ry c''me and that country divided too into
number oEseparate Governments in MANY
respects independent of each other and of
the common Federal head, left but little
hope that they couid nI~.y. he carried on
in harmony, 1t could not be doubted that
sectional Interests would at all times pre-
dominate 10 the bosoms of the immediate
represent arves flhe people and the States,
and the ordinations formed destructive
of the publ good, or unjust and oppressive
to minority. Where could powe TO
check thes local feelings, and to destroy
the effectsaf unjust combinations be better
placed thai in the hands of that department
whose authority, being derived from the
same common sovereign, is coordinate
with the rst and which enjoys the great
distinction of being at once the immediate
representative of the whole people as well
as of eacf particular state
In the ormer character, the interests OF
the whoh community would be rigidly sup
ported, aid in the latter, the rights of each
member aeadfastly maintained. The re.
presentation from the State authorities in
the Elecbral Colleges, ] consider one of
the mostfelicitous features in The consti-
tuition. Il serves as an eternal memento
to the Chef Magistrate that it is his duty
to quart the interests of the weak a.
gainst he unjust aggressions Of the
strong and powerful. From these
premises you will conclude that ! consider
the qualified veto upon the acts Of the Lee
gsla;ure conferred by the Constitution up.