Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1841-10-21
THE ETO POWER.


The following article appeared some we cks ago
IN the National ln,ellieencer; and we i,ad ve,,eutly
neglected TO copy at the time. Regarding tho
notification OF the Veto poweras a subject of vast
moment to the preservation of our Represeni ative
institutions, we feel disposed to concur promptly in
almost any proposition which shall have tendency
to accomplish this ohjecr; and we are glad that
member Of Congress stands pledged TO The county
to bring The question tetore that body at the next
session. We aware that it is now commended
that this emblem Of kngly power,-this arbitrary
and despotic prerogave of royalty, which, however,
has become practically obsolete even in kingly gov
einments where the monarch is at all restrained BY
precedent or by public opinion,-is the ''conserva-
iive' feature OF our system. Conservative, indeed.
How! When, before, was ii ever heard of, in Re-
publican Creed, that lone man. should be inves'
with the power OF protecting the peoples rights, -
defeating the peoples wl Why, if this be one
OF the dogmas Of modern Der ocracy, how long vii,
II be before they lake the single step which sepa-
rates them from unlimited despotsm1 lit be true
then the people are incapable of self government
and the sooner they abolish their representative sys
tenn, and place the crown upon the head ofa Dicta-
orrhe will they enjoy in all its perfection the
blessings Of This "shied" Of popular freedom! Place
power in the hands of one to feler the people
and call it liberty Why, we might well be told that
chains are not CALLING because heyare gIlded, or
wreathed With flowers The declaration is a solecism
IA paradox-a lalsehood. Every power you abstract
from the Legislature, and invest in the Exc cutve-
every facility which you furnish the latter to thwart or
control the lormer-is additional Infusion of the
monarchical principle into system and an abridgc-
of the rights ofhe people, in the persons fth cir
direct and immediate repr' sentatives. SO though,
the authors of the Declaration Of Independence; one
ol the most serious grievances detailed in that i'm
mortal paper being this-that King George the Sd
"hdd refused his assent 10 ldus the most tholesomc
" and necessary for The public good" And, in this
connection, ii deserves special notice, that, Of our
State Constitutions most Of Them Withhold the Veto
power from tie Executive altogether and of the few
which confer it, only one Pennsy Ivanla,) requires
majority OF two thirds render null and void the
others requiring only bare majority pass vetoed
law. Why should ii be otherwise in the federal GOV
eminent
WAsuINGroH CITY, Sept. IA l64l.
Messrs GALES & SEAToN; Tine aud experience
which i9fm the great ust OF every human Insiitu-
non, have demonstrated the ptopicry Of modifying
The power of the President to veto acis passed ny
the two Houses OF CONGRESS. There can be Do'
llIlle doubt that the irineis Of The COnstitn'io"
would never have consented invest the head OF h'
Executive department with absolute power 10
nuIiily the acts of the Legislative and yet nono
will deny tn L the mode IN which that poweT1s Al.
Justed makes every exercise Of II by the Prrsde"
practically unqual fed and absolute. The conStrue
ton & ven TO the Constitution, which aulhorZ sh,"
OF his own will 10 remove from their places ali ''o
officers OF the Government. with or without cause,
has magniGed him into clrrt,ve monarch. anu
clothed him, by the di rens,tnn OF his pa'fon's.
with IA influence IN both Houses OF Congress 'h',
IolbId' all hope that there will be The rtqu''
maloiuy OF twoIhn1S To oveuue his ve;o III 'py
case Il some mod ilaon could be d,vl'ed WIZ"