Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-10-04
MONTPELIER, OCTOBER A, 1871.

met by the veto. Now, If the President, at the
meeting OF the 18th of August, had changed his
mind as to the constitutional power Of Congress,
and had come TO doubt or deny what he had ad-
United in that meeting, (which is the most favora-
BILE Interpretation that can be put upon his con-
duct 1t was, in my opinion, pain duty on his
part 10 have made known to the gentlemen con-
cerned this change of sentiment-to have offered
them an apology for the unpleasant situation IN
which they were placed by his agency or, ut
least TO have Softened, by full explanation of his
motives, hls intended Veto of a measure, in pro-
noting the success Of which they, at his request,
had rendered their assistance.
But this the President did not do. Never, from
the moment of my leaving his house on the 18th,
did he open his lips 10 me OH the subject. 1t was
only from the newspapers, from rulnOr from
heursay, learned that he had denied the const-
utlonality of the proposed institution, and had
made the most solemn asseveraiiOn that he would
never approve measure which knew was sng-
gCsed by himself and which Ind been at his own
instance introduced into Congress. 1t was still
| in the Presidents power, by proper statement in
the message containing his objections to the bill,
70 have supplied these emissions, and in some de-
gree al least 10 have repaired his former neglect
hu; when that paper came to be read, it was
tobnd that, SO far from saying frankly that he once
favored and had been willing to sanction the bill,
but had been led Or such was the iact) 10y suisse
quent reflection TO adopt different views upon the
subject, he treated the measure MS one evidently
inconsistent with his previously expressed opin-
ions, and which ought not TO have been supposed
for moment he could approve.
Whether this conduct o the President is sus-
ceptble OF Just defence or reasonable excuse ii is
! not necessary now 10 inquire. | have not heard
nor can l imagine any ground for ether. Wheth-
er an explanation has been offered TO any one of
the-aentlemen concerned l know not but none
was at any time offered TO me and while for
bear to make the remarks obvious and painful as
they are, which the transaction suggests, declare
the conviction that this conduct Of the President
standing without known defence, excuse or ex
PLANTATION, constituted (f no other reasons had ex-
isted) ample ground for withdrawal from his
Cabinet without dely.
IL is scarcely necessary to say that | have not
supposed, and DO not now suppose, that differ
ence merely between the President and his Cab
lne, either as to the cOnstitutiouaty or the expe-
dIency of bank, necessarily interposes any OBJ
sacles to full and cordial cooperation between
ihetts ip. the general conduct ST his Adminisra
lion ana therefore deeply as regret the veto of
the first bill, did not feel myself at liberty TO
tire on that account from my situation. But the
acts attending the initiation and dsapprova of
The last bill made a case totally different from
that one it is believed without parallel in the
history of our Cabnels; presenting, to say moth
ing more, a measure embraced and Then repudla-
ted-effOrls prompted and then disowned - servI-
ces rendered and Then treated with scorn or neg.
lect. Such case required m my judgment, up
on considerations, private and public, that the Oil.
ciul relations subsisng between the President and
IN, self should be Immediately dissolved.
GEO. T.. BADGER.
Washington, Sept IL, 1S4l.