The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-02-06

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ed TO be rapidly growing into favor.
Before we can form a correct opinion of
the manner in which tins power should be
exercised il is proper to understand the rea
sons which have induced is adoption. Ia
lis theory, il is manIicsily an innovation up
on the FIRST princlp pie Of Republican Govern
ment that The majority should rule. Why
should single individual control the will
Of that majority? II will nol be said thai
there is tnole probability OF finding greater
wisdom IN the Executive char than 10 the
Halls Of the Legislature. Nor can il pos.
sibly be supposed that an individual residing
IN the centre of an extensive country can
be as we'll acquainted with the wants and
wishes Of numerous people, as those who
came Immediately from amongst them--.he
parlakers, for portion Of the year, IN their
various labors and enpoymeuts, aud the
witnesses Of the effects of the laws ia their
more minute as well as eenera operations.
As far, then, as il regards knowledge Of
the wants and wishes OF the people, wisdom
10 discover remedies for existing evils, and
devising schemes for increasing the public
prosperity, 1t would seem that the legisla
tive bodies did not require the aud of an Ey.
ecullye Magistrate. But there is q princl.
PIE, recognized By all the American Con.
situations, which was unknown to The an.
cient republics. They all acknowledge
rights IN the minority, which cannot right.
lully be taken from them. Experience had
shown that in large assemblies these rights
we're not always respected. 1t would be
IA VAN that they should be enumerated, and
respect for them enjoned IN the Constitu.
lion. A popular assembly, under the iu0u.
ence Of that spirit Of party Which IS always
discoverable 10 a greater or less degree IN
all republics, might, and would as it was
believed, sometimes disregard them. To
guard against this danger, aud to secure the
rights Of each individual the expedleut Of
creating Department independent Of the
others, and amenable only to the laws, was
adopted. Security "as thus given against
any palpabe violation Of The Constitution,
to tho INJURY Of individuals, Of minority
party. But It was still possible for vii.
iui and excited majority 10 enact laws Of the
greatest IaJJs!ice and tyranny without VIC,
Iallng the letter Of their charter.
Aud this take to be the origin of the
veto power, as we'll in the State Govern.
ments as that Of the United States. 1t ap.
pears TO have been the intention TO create
an umpire between the couiendiog factions
lt.lrs 4
continue 10 exist. 1t there vas any pro.
pfleiy IN adopting this principle IN the 90.
yernment OF State, all the reasons in favor
Of 1t existed in teafold degree for incor.
poratlng II IN that body Of the United States.
The operations Of the latter, extending over
an immense tract Of country, embracing the
products Of almost every CLINE, and that
county divided loo into a numbe- Of separ
ate Governments, IN many respects lnde.
peudcut Of each other aud of the common
federal head, left but little hope tina; ,hey
could always be carried on in harmony
Il could not be doubted that sectional later. .
ess would al times predominant in the DO.
SONS Of the immediate representatives OF
the People and the States, and combinations
formed destructive Of the public good, or
unjust aud oppressive to a minority. Where
could a power 10 check these local feelings,
aud to destroy the effects of unjust combln +
atoms, be better placed than IN the hands of
that department whose authority being de.
rived from the same common sovereign, is
CO ordinate with the rest, aud which ENJOYS
the great distinction Of being at once the
immediate representative Of the whole PEG.
pie, as well as for each particular State! !
In the former character, the interests of
the whole community would be rigidly sup .
ported, and, in the latter the rights OF each
member stedlaslly maintained. The re- .
presentation from the State authorities in .
the Electoral Colleges, | consider one Of
the most .tlcltous features in the Constltu (
ton. 1t serves as an eternal memento 10
the Chief Magistrate that il is his duty TO
guard the interests of the weak against the
unjust aggFessions Of the strong and power.
iu. From these premises, YOU will con,
clude that consider the qualified veto up.
on the acts Of the Legislature, conferred by
the Constitution upon the President, as a
conservative power, intended only TO he used
10 secure the instrument itself from viola.
ton, or, III times OF high party excitement,
to protect the rights of the minority, aud
the interests Of the weaker members OF the
Union. Such, indeed is my opinion, and
such we must believe to be the opinion, Of
nearly all the distinguished men who have
filled the Executive Chair. Ii | were Pres
ldcni OF the United States, an act which did
not involve either of The principles above
enumerated, must have been passed under
very peculiar circumstances of precipitancy
or opposition to the known public will, to
induce me to refuse TO it my sanction.
Ii the opinion have given of the motives
of the trainers Of the Constitution, in giving
the veto power 10 the President, is correct,
it follows that they never could have expec.
ted that he who was constituted the umpire (
between con,endlug factions should ever
IDENTIFY himself With the interests Of one Of
,hon, mi .oo IA, i'r,rs, In