The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-23
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
THE VETO POWER.

In some remarks on the Address" which sub
m,ed in former paper, | had occasion to allude
the Veto power, bot had time as fully
as its Importance demanded | remarked incidental
ly that far the President concerned person
ally il would, probably, be relief to him TO be
empted from the responsibility Of revising bills from
the two Houses Nevertheless, am far from sup
posing that, as a statesman of sound principles, Mr.
Tyler would wish have this great conservative iea-
ture struck from the Constitution.
!, has been fundamental principle Of all Govern
ments of which we have any knowledge, to
some,rhere the power negative improper, nadyer-
tent acts OF legislation. This has been deemed
essentially conservative principle. So jealous were
the people of Rome in the proudes, days Of the Re
public of the power Of the Pat1ican or ars,ocratc
order, that the Veto power reserved in the hands
Of the Tnbunes of the people secondary Officers
During the Republic, this power was exercised by the
Tnbunes, with no interruption, excepting at short
intervals of impending invasion, when Dictator was
appointed, with despotc and unlimited power, both
civil and military. The Veto was the only protection
which The people enjoyed against the tyranny of the
Patricians and the ambitious views OF popular dema
gogues Under il individual rights were protecj,l, -
the people were content and the Republic made rapid
advances in prosperity and renown.
In modern times this conservative power has been
reposed in the Supreme Executive Magistrate and il
has been considered essential principle of every
Government in Europe and America The patriotic
trainers of this Government engIaftcd it for pur
poses, Fundamental principle OF the Constitution
of the United States and it is prominent feature in
all the State Constitutions and IN the municipal char
& ,x,,,,. Ii, h..l
erience and practice of half century and exercised
time and again, by wisest Presidents and Govern
ors of States. But in consequence Of It's application
TO the Bank bill of,he Extra Session, portion OF the
members have just discovered that it is dangerous
power, and ought TO be abridged, and since the adj
ournmcnt, it has been significantly declared that i,
ought to be ''puckcd from the Constitution" But
for the high authority, whence this pro-
ceeds it would be necessary to vnd,caie the prin
cipe before the people
1t is natural that members Of Congress who vote
for any given measure, should feel disappointed its
rejection by coordinate branch. But it is question
able whether at the moment of disappointment, they
are the most competent judges Of the expediency Of
principle which battles their efforts But aside from this
If those who cavil at this feature of the Constitution
have formed combination, for party purposes and
turning the Veto power into pretert 10 assa the
President personally, their dogmas the less
tied TO the favor Of he people This appears TO he
precisely the case at this moment The members,
who partic died ia the Address, the parti-
Of who aims at the succession for the pur-
pose Of striking blow at the President they are not
only willing hazard the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Wing party, and stand sloof from all responsibility
for the measures OF the Administration but To pluck
down, with ruthless hand, a Fundamental principle Of
the Cons,ituticn-the great conservative barrier,
against hasty nadvertent and stitutiona epis-
lation-wbich has stool the test of Gty years Of
pro perity
The denuncation having gone forth, and the issue
forced on the country, II is incumbent every
friend of the Constitution and just laws, TO confront
the attempted innovation at the threshold, Let
consider Of the consequences Of the abrogaton
of this power.
The Veto power in the of,non Of General bor-
rison was applicable to hree glasses Of cnsc-:
LIST. To hills which are unconstitutional
%. To bills which trench State rights on indi-
yidual, or vested righs.
81. To bills passed hastily or Inadvertently tho
object being this case to postpone action for fur
ther consideration.
We have no disposition TO cavil at this doctrine.
UNCONVENTIONAL bills universally conceded to
aomc within the scope OF the Veto. Improper bills