Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-10-22

country will consume il, when manufac,o,;.. ,,u
have been destroyed and manufacturers WIZ Iams
been its consumers compelled 10 cultivo,a ~
soil as their only mode of subsistence VIVA, xoni9
our farms or our produce be worth, if those now en-
gagged at the loom should coine back to the plourh,
We could hardly give away the contents Of our over.
burdened eranarics Manufactures are yet in their
infancy, and although during the short period Of Their
existence, they have acquired strength with uneyam-
Piled rapldy they cannot be supposed to be s'tongcr
than those in older COUNTRIES where they haze been
much longer established and where labor is cheapest.
Yet in all countries, protection has always been
found be necessary to Their existence; and no gov.
eminent on earth has ever been blind to its own
interests an those Of its cizens to permit FREQ
trade with other countries in articles Of its own man
ufacture There ac two very sufficient and obvious
reasons icr TINS. One is that free reciprocei
,rade never has been and probably never can e. es-
' .appnsncu inep.het rs that TO acw one country,
whenever 1t might choose, to inundatc another with
It's surplus manufactures, reduced in vnlne AZ bona
by excessive production or bankruptcies, wonld bo
10 run those engaged IN the same business in the i'm.
porting country. Steadiness is the safety and enc,
alton the destruction of trade. ~ 'N
ngand, with modesy pecu ar TO herself nroo,.;,.
and advocates the doctrines of free trade for ,hc
of other nations while for her own benef, she nr,o
tees upon directly opposite system. In thus adyo
eating free trade she is seconded by the Southern
planter. But neither from the nor the other can
we consent to receive instruction. They have their
interests, and we have ours. We have also the eapa
city TO understand, and, | trust, the resolution to
maintain our rights.
been directed by events which have occurred within
the last few years. 10 certain amendments which arc
deemed essential in the Federal Constitution Tho
undue stimulus to ambition which is thought TO be
supplied by the prospect of the Presidential office be:
ing enjoyed by lis occupant for n second term of four
year, hn created great alarm for the balance of the
powers Of the General G .vcrnment. Experience has
certainly proved that if there is any danrer of that
balance eng destroyed it arises from the constant
efforts ef the cxecve department to extend it's pat
ronage and power That such efforts have frequently
been made to enable the President 10 secure re-
election can hardly be doubted and il is 10 be feared
that they will continue 10 be too often made, so long
as human nature remains unchanged
| general complaint arising from the same wolf
grounded apprehension, exits "a 10 the Presidents
power OF removal from Office The constitution III
| rectly gives him such power but he hns been al
lowed to take 1t by implication 1t is difficult to i'm.
aglnc how 1t should ever have bceu deIved from tina,
provision in the constitution which authorizes him to
nominate 'and by add with the advice and consent
of The Senate to appoint all officers.
The President and Senate are Jointly mn l., tho nm,
pointing power and in the abs ence Of all other rro
visions on the subject one would have supposed they
must nso be Jointly the removing power But tho
President claims to exercise IL alone, and more fire.
1entIv exercises It without any Cause except for the
political opinions Of those removed than from an i'm
partial regard to the IA ihf Performance of tho nblie
service winch formed the soc argument in favor of its
existence. For, If The Constitution designed TO rya
such power 10 the president, il must hive been for
the purpose of enabling him to make removals re-
CURED by the public good. But it has been perverted
7 h
Nward his supporters, strengthen his influence and
secure his own reelection
Another similar subject to which would invite
vour particular attention, is the power of the Pres-
dent to veto bills which have been passed by both
Houses of Congress. THIS is the only monarrhicul
feature IN cur form Of government and it s Difficult,
to understand how il should have been engrafed
upon republican institutions. IL was probably taken,
without much reflection as 70 its consequences fror,
the BrltlSh constitution, which vests similar power
in the king but only to project his own prororative
from cncroachment Even for TINS purpose however,
it has been exercised by him for more than two
/ centuries The early settlers If Vermont were too
jealous of liberty 10 allow such power any place in
: our constitution.
To form Just notion Of the magnitude of the veto
power MS It NAV be exercised hv the President, wa
must keep constantly n view. that to prevent the pns-
sage of wholesome and necessary laws, is rs bad as
10 pass those which mischicyous. TIE power 10
make all laws might be as properly entrusted TO tho
| Presl ent, as the power TO prevent all laws The
history of all legislation proves thu, majority Of two
thirds cnn seldom be obtaincd on disputed QUESTIONS
and 10 allow the President 10 resist the enactment of
such laws rs he plcases, unless passed hv lnrce
majority /, effect. rerosc in one man almost
the entire power of legislation But the President not
only CLAIMS the right 10 exercise the veto mower vi hem
ever he peascs, but to eXcrc &c II a. he understands
the constitution, without anv regard 10 the DECISIONS
1t the supreme Court or 10 the prtCefen- established
y ms predecessors. He appears 10 he uncontrt lied
hay" nothing 10 consult bu, his own consci, nee and
nothing to regard but his character for conss-
tency.
II he is right. may bid farewell TO nil stability in
orr institutions. Every four years the laws of tho
country may he CHANGED, and It's business euharas-
Sod and destroyed by the constitutional scruples Of
new President. The ta,,-'he distribution OF the re-
venue from the public ands,-in'crnal improvement,
all the great measures f the wcnrc of the country
will be constitutional or unconstitutional Just the
President may happen TO c selected from part of
the Union or the other.
I submit u vour consideration whether it no. tx.
ped.ent 10 propose an amendment Of the constitution,
which shall render the President ineligible to n re-
election, and which shall modify his rov ers of re-
moval from Office and OF preventing the passage Of
laws by Congress.
i For myself l. confess that cannot do bt that, il
such amendment should he alCpten by TIE requisite
number Of states it would greatly contribute 10 per-
petuate orr free government.
have thus expressed nv views on these in7ortsn,
subjects. freely and frankly. They nre, however
opinions matters Of opinion, which We are all
al liberty 70 differ. The discussions Of delhcrnttve
1sscmb = are likely 10 leal to more just conclusions
than The reflections Of an individual unsled " tho
reasoninGs of others, and shall rather Weld your
Judgment, than wish YOU 20 no governed ny nine.
Giate'ul for the manifestation Of your confidence
| and regard, which has summoned me from the bust
ness ofprivae life 10 station conspicuous rs that,
To which have Just been called, commend all your
deliberations TO that omnisc ent Power, whose pur
pose wc have fondly hoped il NIGHT be- 10 build up
institutions in this country VIII h would he favora
! bic to human Ii crty and the in1rrovomrnt Of man.
: kind. CHARLES PAINE.
| Montpelier, October Is, ISL