The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-25
To Messrs. BATES and CHoATE, + -
n3 Senators from Massachusetts,.
HE VETO POWER.

In Constitutional Monarchies the Veto Power
is virtually dctatorial power, or, in other
words, the power Of the Monarch to annul the
will Of the nation With us this power is to-
tally different thing tits but faculty. in the
hands of the Executive, of suspending the iegis-
latiye action of Congress, and of sending back,
for its reconsideration, the subject of the law,
when the law is thought to be unconstitutional,
defective, or violative of the rights of individu
ais of the States, the interests of whole sections
of the country, or of minorities, as well as of
the independent action of the respective branch
es of the Government itself. 1t is power con-.
sentative of the Constitutions barrier against
the encroachments of a triumphant geographical
party, in Congress, on the interests of less nu-
merously represented section in that body--con-
sentative of the liberties of the people them
selves, by throwing back upon the Legislature for
more careful examination the subject-matter
of the proposed law. No great act, vitality at
fecting the interests or rights of the community,
should ever be carried into execution without
decided expression Of the wishes Of those who
are to be influenced by it. This expression OF
the public will is made the supreme law OF the
land by the exercise of the Veto power. What
occurs when DILL is returned by the President,
with his obiecions2 The subject is brought up
again before Congress- and if, on renewed
consideration, two-thirds Of that body confirm
by their votes their previous act, the law neces-
sarily goes into effect despite the will of the
President. The exercise of the Veto Power by
hos fharaf hod he
of suspending the action of Congress-of ensur-
ing deliberative and decisive expression of
the national will through the re, resentatives Of
the people. But if Congress does not re-enact
the bill by majority oftwo- thirds, what happens
then? Why, all action is suspended, and the
subiect-matter is virtually referred to the great
body of the people themselves, for their refiec-
zion and final decision. They are called on to
Judge the difference between the President and
/ Congress, and their will becomes the law. Thus
the Veto power, under our Constitution, is vir-
tuaIly moderating, and not diclatorial power.
Would the people, would any portion of the
Union, the Slave-holding States, for example,
have their liberties and their rights less effectu
ally guarded What would become of popular
iberty2 What would become Of the natural
rights of Individuals What would become of
the rights of minorities2 And, above all, what
would become of the independence and rights
of the States, those particularly in which
slavery exists--what, we say, will become
Of all these essential elements of our poiti-
cal system, if they were delivered up to
the absolute disposal of a simple party Con
gressional majority? How else are the funda-
mental bases of our system to be defended
against the destructive efforts of factious party
legslation2 BY what other means can the
rights, the interests, the liberties, Of the people
be protected against the violence of party dcta-
torship-too often embodied in single party
leader, impelled by an inconsiderate and rockies:
ambition The American People will not be
. jealous or mistrustful Of the Veto power. 1t i:
their own; and, with the exception of their owr
potential ballot-box it is the only effectual guard
ian of liberty and of right, against that spirit
: party dictatorship party violence, and ruthless
faction, which are engendered by, and are thu
necessary growth Of, liberty ITSELF
The Great Western" steamer arrived at New
York, from Bristol on Thursday last. The new