Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1841-12-03
THE VETO POWER-lTS HISTO-
RY.

RY.
The Veto power originated with the
ancient Romans, and was the first essay
Of tho common people Of the Republic
towards the securing Of their proper
liberties. The Plebeans, having long
been oppressed by the Palrcians, at the
nstgation Of Sicimins, 260 years after
the founding OF the city, made secession
to a mountain. three miles distant from
Rome, (ever after termed Mons SGcer.}
and would not return 10 the city until
they had received from the Patricians
compliance with their demand, and the
solemn assurance, that the common peo
PIC should elect magistrates, whose per.
sons should be sacred and invioabIe. 10
whom they could commit the protection
OF their rights. These magistrates were
called IrjbHneS; a name given by Ro.
mulus to tho three military officers in
chief, selected from the three tribes. in
to which he had divided the city. The
civic Tribunes were originally chosen
from the PIebeians, and no Patrician
could hold the office, unless he had first
been adopted into PIebeian family
their power was at first limited, bot at
The same time extraordinary, 1t was
prcren:irc. rather han enforcing it was
to nlerpose and protect the people from
the oppression and tyranny of their su
perors; to assist them 10 redressing
their wrongs. and in maintaining their
liberties; and consisted in The utlerancc
Of the one word, and that one, "vETo,"
| forbid. These officers could prevent
the discussion of any question, the pas
sage of any law, The execution OF any
sentence, the levying Of any taxes, the
enlisting of any troops, and almost ar
rest the entire machinery of Govern
ment, by standing up and speaking that
one word, geo. No reasons were re-
quired of them; no one dared oppose
them; their retO was supreme! As ORR
ginally designed, it was emphaicaIIy
the peoples measure for the PeOpis''
protection; the necessary balance whee
to equaiize the powers Of the Govern
ment, which had hitherto been engross
ed by the rich, and give the people that
rnterposing check which the alarming
tyranny of the Palricians made neces-
sary. 1t was the first attempt at dem
ocratic, / g a people ruling institution
and in all its features, save that of un-
limited power, showed the humility o
its origin. The Tribunes must be no
only of the Pebelan order, hut they
had no insignia oil Office, save a kind o
beadIe, who went before them; were
no, allowed 20 use a carriage. haC
no tribunal, but sat on benches. Theil
doors were open night and day for The
people to prefer their requests or COM
plants. They were not allowed to en-
ter the Senate, and were not even dig
nifed with the name of magistrates; a.
designed by Sicinius, it was the mere
unadorned majesty oI the peoples voice
assimiIaied to the lowly pretensionS O
the people, the visible exponent o(thei
will. These popular traits did not, how
ever, long remain The graSping am
bition Of some, the restlessness 70
change in others, soon abused the power
the Tribunes became themselves I
greater evil han they remedjed, ant
their authority was more tyrannou
than the edicts Of those they were Great
ed 10 oppose.
Veto became word Of despotic pow
er. The DEGREES of the Senate, the or
dinonces Of the people, the entire al
rangements Of Government bowed 10 II
supremacy: and such was the force G
the word, that not only could il stop tn
, proceedings OF all the magistrates whc
, Caesar we'll calls "eriremum jus rib0nt
rnm," but whoever, Senator or Consul
Pa,rician or Pebeian, dared oppose il
r was Immediately led to prison TO an
swer for his crime. And so sacrot
we're the persons Of the Trbunes, ths
, whoever hurt them was held accursed
, and his goods we're con6Scaled SyIl
, was the first who resisted the gTos
, encroachments Of no Tribunes; but or
Z mis- death they regOined their influence