The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-09

sttution whach happens to obslruct, at a given
time, their views and wishes, and chop and
shape Il 10 suit their temporary purposes, and
there is end of that Constitution and Of this
Government
The proper correction Of any such abuse Of
power, IN this elective Government is the change
Of the officer.
Would the Intelligenoer have discovered any
horrid deiormiies and dangers in the Veto pow
en- ~ the President had happened to Veto Sub
treasury instead of Fiscal Bank bill, or bank
repeal bill instead OF Fiscal Corporation act2
And suppose the power destroyed, and that
the next Congress should pass Sub-treasury,
an abolition act, or some other bill equally an
abomnation to the nostrils of the Integencer-
would i not something regret that no Veto could
be interposed
That the modification proposed by thesIntelli
gencer amounts TO ''pluckng" il from the Con-
stitution, we take it no argument is necessary to
demonstrate. More. Ii would make il a mere
mockerY, exposing the Chief Magstracy to dis
grace and ridicule.
Take hypothetical case.
Suppose bill to pass Congress by very large
majority-,he Veto power being modified as the
lntelligencer would have il, the bill is returned
with the Presidents objections.
These objections appear reasonable to some
OF those who voted in the first place for the bill;
the Veto changes their votes, and yet il may be-
come law, Notwithstanding the Veto, and by
smaller majority than carried il originally pos
siby by majority of one only
Is this desirable result2
And may not that be the direct consequence
Of the Intelligencer's proposed modification
Our advice is to let the Constitution stand as
our Fathers made it,
Much less is to be dreaded from the abuse OF
any of the powers which il coniers than from the
consequences of attempts to change it, under the
influence of,excited party feeling, and for the ac-
complishment Of temporary purposes.
There is not so much to be apprehended from
too little legislation as from too much. Since the
formation Of this Government, Congress have
passed thousands ofacls. Yet, in all the wilder
ness Of legislation ofthe past fifty years, the We
TO power has been exercised less than twenty
times, and in every instanc. its use has been
sustained by the people. We subjoin complete
table Of the Executive Vetoes, from Washing
ton to Tyler, showing their dates and subjects,
and the House in which the vetoed bills origi-
mated;
PRESIDENT WAsHINGToN.
April S, 1892. Apportionment bill H. R.
February 90 1857. Military establishment. II. R.
President MADISON.
February II, 1871. Church in Alexandra. H R.
%, |" Baptis, Church Fl. r.
April 3, 1912. Judicial bill H.R.
November 6, 1912. Naturalization. H.R.
January 80, /" United States Bank. Sen.
PRESIDENT MONROE.
May A, 1922 Cumberland Road H.R
PREsrpENr JACKSON.
May 81, 1880 MaysvilIe Road. Fl. r.
May 81 1880 Washington Turnpike Road Com
pany. Sen.
Retained May 81, 1890. Louisville and Portland
Canal Vetoed Dec. 7, 1880.
May 81, 1890. Lighthouses, SC. Vetoed
Dec I, 1880. H,R.
quasi Vefo-May 81, 1890 Road from Detroit 10
Chicago. II. r.
July TO- 1880. u 8. Bank bill. Sen.
Dec 6, 1892. Interest to States. Sen.
Dec. 8, 1882. Harbor bill. II. Il.
Dec s, 1888. Land BILL Sem
June 9, 1896. Day for meeting of Congress. Sen.
Poeketed March g. 1897. Currency bill. Sen
PRESIDENT TYLER
August I6, ls4i. Fiscal Bank | ill., Sen.
Sept. 8, ls4i. Fiscal Corporation bill. Fl. r.