Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-03-26

upon the ground of their being inexpeden., or M,
as well adapted as they might be to the wants Of
the people, the veto was applied upon that of want
of conformity tn the Constitution, because errors
had been committed from too hasty enactment
There is another ground for the adoption Of the
veto principle, which had probably more influence
in recommending it to the Convention than anv
other refer to the security which it gires to the
just and equitable action Of the Legislature upon
all parts of the Union. 1t could not but have oc-
CURED to the Convention, that in acofntry SO ex.
tensive, embracing SO great varieE Of soil and
climate, and consequently oS.sSeaas md which,
from the same causes must ever exhibit great DIFF
ference in the amount Of population of its various
sections calling for great diversity in the employ.
ments of the people, that the legislation Of the ma.
jority might not always justly regard the rights
and interests of the minority. And that acts Of
this character might be passed, under an express
grant by the words of the Constition, and there.
fore, not within the competency Of the judiciary to
declare void. That however enlightened and pa
trlotic they might suppose, frcm PAST experience
the members of Congress might be, and however
largely partaking in the general of the liberal feel.
ings of the people, it was impossible to expect that
bodies so constituted should not sometimes be con.
troed by local interests and sectional feelings. Il
was proper, therefore, to provide some umpire,
from whose situation and mode Of appointment
more independence and freedom from such infuen-
ces might be expected Such was afforded
by the Executive Department, constituted by the
Constitution. A person elected to that high Office
having his constituents in every section, State, and
subdivision of the Union, must consider himself
bound by the most solemn sanctions, to guard,
protect, and defend the rights of all, and of every
portion, great small, from the injustice and OPP
preston of the rest. consider the veto power,
therefore given by the Constitution to the Execu-
tive of the United States, solely a conservative
power to be used only, first to protect the Cons-
tuition from violation; secondly, the people from
the effects of hasty legislation, where their will has
been probably dlsregarded not well understood;
and, thirdly, prevent the effects of combinations
violatve of the rights of minorites. In reference
to the second of these Objects may observe that
consider it the right and privilege Of the people to
decide disputed points OF the Constitution, arising
from the general grant of power to Congress to
carry into effect the powers expressly given. And
believe with Mr.. Madison, that repeated recog-
nitions ulder varied circumstances in acts Of the
Legislative, Exs cuive, and Judicial branches Of
the Government accompanied by inaica.icns i'll
different modes, of the concurrence of the general
will of the nation, as aflording to the President
sufficient authority fer his considering such dispu-
ted points as settled
Upwards of half century has elapsed since the
adoption of the present form Of Government. 1t
would be an object more highly desirable than the
qualification OF the curiosity OF speculative states
men, if its precise situation could be ascertained
fair exhibit made of the operations OF each CT its
Departments, OF the powers which they respective
y claim and exercise, of the collisions which have
occurred between them, or between the whole Gov.
eminent and those of the States either Of them.
We could then compare our actual condition, after
fifty years trial of our system, with what 1t was in
the commencement Of its operations, and ascertain
whether the predictions of the patriots who oppo-
sed its adoption, or the confident hopes of its advo
Gates have been realized. The great dread Of the
former seems to have been, that the reserved pow
of the States would be absorbed by those of the
Federal Government, and a consolidated power
established leaving the States the shadow, only
of that Independent action for which they had So
zealously contended, and the preservation Of
which they relied as the last hope of liberty
v ithout denying that the result to which they
looked with SO much apprehension is in the way of
being realized, it is Obvious that they did not clear
ly see the mode of its accomplishment The Cen
eral Government has seized upon none of the re-
served rights of the States. As far open
fare may have gone, the State authorities have
ply maintained their rights. To casual observer,
our system presents no appearance OF dlscord be-
tween the different members which compose it.
Even the addition of many new ones has produced
no Earring. They move in their respective orbits
in perfect harmony with the central head, and
with each other. But there is still an under cur
rent at work, by which, if not seasonably checked,
the worst apprehensions of anttederal patriots
will be realized and not only will the State auto
rites be overshadowed by the great increase OF
power in the Executive Department of the Gener-
al Government, but the character of that Govern
ment, if not its designation, be essentially and rad
icaily changed This state Of things has been in
part effected by causes inherent in the Constitu-
ton, and in part by the never failing tendency Of
political power to increase itself. BY making the
President the sole distributor of all the patronage
of the Government the trainers of the Constitution
do not appear to have anticipated at how short
period it would become formidable instrument
to control the free operations of the State Govern
ments Of rihing Importance at first, it had, ear.
ly in Mr.. Jefferson's administration, become so
powerful as to create alarm in the mind of that pa
triot, from the potent influence it might exert in
controlling the freedom of the elective franchise
If such could have been the effects Of its influence
how much greater must the danger at this time,
quadrupled in amount, as it certainly is, and more
completely under the control Of the Executive WILL
than their construction of their powers allowed or
the forbearng characters of all the early Presidents
permitted them to make.
But it is not by the extent of its patronage alonc
that the Executive Department has become danger
Gus, but by the use which it appears may be made
of the appointing power, to bring under its control
the whole revenues of the country. The Constitu-
ton has declared it to be the duty Of the President
to see that the laws executed and it makes him
the Commander-in-Chief of the armies and navy
of the United States. If the opinion Of the most
writers upon that species Of mixed Gov
eminent, which, in modern Europe, is termed Me-
32ngrh9, +,o 1ecnofJsna 80