Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-03-16


however, as general remark, that republics can com
NIT no greater than adopt or continue any fea
lure ~ their system OF government which may be cal
ouaied 10 create increase the love OF powc. IN the
bosoms OF those 70 whom necessity obhges them To
commit the management of their affairs. And surely
nothing IS more likely 10 produce such a state of mind
than Tie long continuance OF office of high trust
Nothing can be more Couuptng, nothing more des-
uucuve Of all those noble feelings which belong 10 the
character OF a devoted republican patriot. When this
corupuug passion once takes possession OF the human
mind, like tho love Of gold 1t becomes Unsuitable II
Is the neycr-dying his BOSOM grows with It's
growth and strengthens with the declining wears OF its
victim II tins is true, it Is the part OF wisdom of re-
public 10 limit the service OF that officer. al least to
whom she has entrusted the management OF her foreign
relations. the execution OF her laws, and the command
oi her armies and navlcs TO period short pre-
vent lis forgetting that he is the accountable agent
the prinCipa-the servant not the master. Until ap
amendment OF the constitution can be effected, publH
opinion may secure the desired object. give my aiu
10 IL by renewing the pledge heretofore given that, I'M
der no circumstances will | consent 10 serve a second
tenn.
Bot if there is danger public liberty from the ac-
knowedged defects OF the constitutions in the want of
limit TO the continuance of the Executive power in the
same hands, there is, apprehend, not much less from
mlsconslructon OF that instrument, II regards the
power actually given. ! cannot conceive that, by
lar construction, any or either OF It's provisions would
be found to constitute the President part the epis
latve power. Ii cannot be claimed from the power to
recommend, since, although enjoined a duty upon
{ MN, IL Is privilege which he holds III with
every other citizen. And although there be some
thing of confidence ia the propriely OF the mea
sures recommended in the than in the other
IN the obligations of ultimate decisioa there can be no
difference. In the language of the Constitution "all
Tie legislative powers which II grants "aIe vested in
the Congress OF the United States Ii would be sol
ecsm in language 10 say that any portion of these
not included IN the whole.
1t may be said, indeed that the Constitution has Civ
to the Executive the power snnul the acts of the
legislative body by refusing them his assent So
similar power has necessarily resulted from that ns,ru-
ment TO the judiciary; and yet the judiciary forms no
part OF the legislature. There is, is true, differ
ence in these grants Of puwers-Ne executive put
his negative upon the acts Of the legislature for other
than that of want of conformity TO the constitution
whilst the Judiciary can only declare void those which
violate that instrument But the decision of the Judi
ciary is final in such case, whereas, in every
where the veto of the Executive is applied, it may be
overcome by vote Of two thirds of both houses of
Congress- The negative upon the acts OF the legisla-
tive by tho executive authority, and that in the hands
of one individual, would seem to be an inconeruty in
system. Like others of a similar character.
however, appears TO be highly expedien and if used
only with the orbearance and in the spirit which
intended by its authors, may be productive of great
good and be found one Of the bes, safeguards Of the
Union.
At the period of the formation of the constitution, the
principle does not appear TO have enjoyed much favor
in the State governments. IL existed IN two, and i'll
of these there a plural executive. If we
would search for the motives which operated upon the
purely patriotic and enlightened assembly which franz
ed the constitution for the adoption of provision
apparently repugnant to the leading democratic ptnc
pie, that the majority should govern, must reject
from the idea that they anticipated any benefit 10 the
ordinary Of legislation. They knew too well
the high degree of intelligence which existed amongst
the people, and the enlightened character of the State
Legislature, not have the fullest confidence that the
two bodies elected by them would be worthy represen
taves OF such constituents and Of course that they
would require no AID IN Conceylng and maturing the
measures which the circumstances OF the country might
require. And is pIeposterous to suppose that ihot
could for moment have been entertained that the Pre-
sldcnt, placed at the capital in the centre Of the
try, could better understand the wants and wishes OF
tie people than their own immediate representatives
who spend part Of every year among them, living
with them, often aborng with them. and bound to them
by the triple tie OF interest, duty and affection
To assist or control Congress, then IN as ordinary
legislation could not conceive, have been the motive
for comforting the veto power the President This
argument acquires additional force from the fact Of IFS
never having been thus used by the first six Presidents
and two OF them members of the Convention one
presiding lis deliberations. and the other having
larger share in cousummatng the abors of thst august
body than any other person. Bot If bills were
returned 10 Congress by either of the presidents above
&c ctd upon the ground Of their being inexpedieut
or not vel. adapted they might be TO the wants
OF Tie people, the applied upon that OF wantl
ofcoutomliy the Constitution, because errors had
been committed from a too hasy enactment.
There Is another ground for the adoption Of the veto
mcuLlng u 20 the convention than any other. refer
20 the security which gives the just and equitable
action Of The legislature upon all parts OF the Union
D. could not but have occurred to the convention That
90 country So extensive, embracing great yauety
of soil aud climate and consequently Of products and
which nom tie same causes must ever exhibit great
iu ,He amount Of the population % MS yar-
ous sections calling for great diversity OF tie cm-
iovmenr- ~ the people that the legislation of the ma
iotiy might not always Justly regard lhe rights aud u
lerests OF the minority and that acts Of tbs character
be passed under express grant by the wois OF the
aud. therefore not within The competency
col tie Judiciary 20 declare void. That however en-
ciienrd and patriotic lhey might suppose from past
capeuruce. lie members Of Congress might Doe. and .
however largely arakng, IA The general OF DE liberal
feelings of tie people, impossible 10 expect that
t0lle. So constituted should not sometimes be control.
cd hy local interests and sectional feelings
10 ,sas psolef therefore 10 provide. some umpire,
Iiom whose slaa'loa aud mode 81 appointment more .
Independence and freedom from such influences might
be e. pecied Such a one afforded BY TIE Execu-
live Department, constituted ~ The c0Esutu,'on. a