The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-06
From the Georgia J,urnal-( Wig paper)
VETO POWER.

la the hands Of one who is disposed 10 abuse his
high authority, the Veto power is indeed dangerous
one 1t is So too when he has the power OF exercls-
ing it, who is weak enough to be led by an unprinci
pied faction, whose advisers, not having the good
ofthe country at heart but with view alone to their
own elevation mislead and misdirect him who, apart
from bad influences might do that which is right In
either Of these cases, this power is dangerous one
II must be admitted by all; and yet we are among
those who do hold with the doctrine that should
be abolished and that the voice Of majority of Con-
gress shall prevail in all things. Let who will advo
such doctrine, we must dissent from li-for we
hold that the constitutional exercise of the Veto pow
er Of the best safeguards TO Southern Interests
and Southern rights among all tho-e secured to us BY
the Constitution Of the United States. For this and
other reasons its abolition object to. II pow
that Washington exercised more than one occa-
sion. Madison, on more than one occasion Mon
roe vetced the Cumberland Road bill On ten sepa-
rate occasions Jackson exercised the power and in the
eleventh he pocketed the Currency bill. Now, with
the exception Of General Jackson, whose Veto, in
one or two instances did great harm TO the country,
neither Of our other Presidents at this time is
charged with having abused this high and important
trust. And although it is now question before the
people, as to the good bad policy Of President Ty
ler's Vetoes yet, admitting that Mr. Tyler has done
wrong we still think that take his Vetoes in connec-
ton with General Jacksons and the argument is still
with us, that this power should not be abolished In
deed, we regret to such doctrine advanced by
-
Torrance of duty by majority in Congress- accord
ing the constitutional compact is the constitutional
Of the Veto power reserved to the President
Without this, the time has been when the South
would have been made tributary TO The balance of the
States and hesitate not to say, would yet be made
So the President compelled 10 give his assent to
every act which majority of Congress should pass.
Against the wrongful of this power, we will
much any one, but that is all, in relation to
it, whether in the State or Federal Administration,
that shall oppose But the abuse of 1t is no argu-
ment against its utility.
Let US illustrate moment How many times, here,
at home, has the Veto power been exercised by our
Chief Magistrate Their is legion" com
paratively speaking Now, who ever heard the doc
irine seriously advanced that this power should be
taken from the Executive Of Georgia. We will take,
for instance two occasions when the exercise OF the
Veto, in Georgia, created no little excitement. The
first (which we shall refer to, Is the Veto by Gov
ernor Gilmer, in 1887, of appropriation of money
to General Nelson's Brigade then on its way to Flo
da. This Veto created much angry feeling and I'M
usual excitement. Was the doctrine then preached
Of abolishing it here at home1
But let us refer to the other case. What question
has ever been before State Legislature, that eI-
cited as much feeling as the Quara ntne or Maine
Bill In the Representative branch Of the Govern
ment the majority, for two years was largely IN It's
favor One year. it failed to pass the Senate; Last
year it did pass the Senate. Governor Mcdonald
vetoed it, He exercised no doubt, what he conceived
Gilmer Both Of these Governors disappointed the
wish of the peoples representatives. and is there any
evidence that the people were dissatisfied with Their
acts We approved Of Governor GiImels course
and dsapproved of Gov. McDonAlds, and, no doubt,
large portion Of the people did the same. The Veto
therefore, in the instance, acceptable to US
in the other it star from being so, and it will
always be with the people. Sometimes, the exercise
of this power both in the State and Federal Govern
ment will meet the appreciation Of the people, at
other times it may not meet with their Appreciation
The evil will be mixed with the good, but the latter
WILL in the end, preponderate. If President Tyler
has disappointed the wishes of the people by the
cise recent two occasions, ofthe Veto power and
have no doubt that such is the CASE it is no reason
that those in the South who think he has done wrong,
should " cut their threats TO spite their faces. That
power may yet be called into to preserve both
their lives and fortunes Let us therefore war against
its abuse, but let yield up TO areekiess ma
jorfy any Congress that may convene between
this and doomsday. These views in relation
to this new question They can be sustained, too,
think by argument strong and decisive to, at least
every Southern man.