Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-10-13
RICH N . n ID:
wEDNmspAY MORNING. ocr. II.
IAf Icln pl.r.r


THIS monarchictl ica'u-, OF our Constitution he.
gins 20 excite the pub &c attention more and more
! The feaceu, exercise OF i, durn. the las, few
years, 10y which the will Of one man has been mad
to controul the Will of the whole, has had the yer,
natural ciiec, Of maxim. people consider whether n
truth ours is a free Republic or D,spo,ism. Fo
our part, We have long since avnwed our abhor
renee OF the PoweT; and the exercise OF It by WINS
Presideu, in degree mitisaes our de,esa,on of il,
/. It's hdcous dsiormIy in our Republican system
and Whenever cNertci, with one or two exception,
1t has been IN hostility to popular rights.
Inc Loeofoco party, from their inherent toryism,
al advocate this Power, rs the ak of our safety
Iney are afraid ~ trust the People, and as they
are by nature sub,erv.ent Isee Mr.. Jsirerson's
works. and must worship some one, they rather
worship one man than the multitude. On the same
Pr'nc'P g they might now, as they will do before
long, advocate kIn-ly government. |: will come to
mat al las As 10 The Wings, they believe in The
capacity OF the people iof self sovernment-and
whether they govern right or wrong, i, IL their
RIGHT, arr IT falls their lot endure the ccnsc-
quences, whether good or evil. As Republicans,
the Wings do not desire, ,hat toe People De either
n practice Or theory, su2yec: TO the caprice OF one
man.
| On this subject, happy to have he concur
renee OF the present distinguished Secretary OF the
Navy. In volume published Jy HIM last wear.
entitled "A BRIEF ESsUIRI INTO rue TRUE Ma.
ruRE AND CHARACTER % Our FEDERAL GovERS
NESr," we dni these Republican views, touching
the powers the Executive:
! Another striking imperlecl;on Of the Cons,it,,
ton, rs respects the executive department. Is found
| n ;ho veto power. The right 20 forbid the psolle
10 pass whatever avs they . casc Is the vylr 10 de-
prve them of self government. IL is power
/ which can never he entrusted 10 one man OF any
number oimen short otthe people themse YES, with
out the certain destruction OF publc hbcrtv IL i
true that each department OF the government should
/ oc armed with certain power OF self protection
against the assaults Of the other GenaTtrneniS- and
me executive, PROBABLY stands most IA need Of such
/ protection. But Tie veto rover, as II stands IN the
Constitution, goes hs beyond tnls object IL IS m
effect, power 10 the executive department 10 for
a.. action m any o.Aer Il Is true that no,with.
siGntln. the veto o the PTeSldeu', a Iaw m " still
be pissed. PROV dgu trOhrsS Of each house Of coz.
Sress agree lher,u bUi il Is obvious that the cases
are very rare, 10 which such concurrence could he
expected. In c-ses Of plain necessity or policy tue
veto would no; uc app e d, and ;losC 1T Goutu, ne.
ccs>ity or poIcy would r.r-y oe carried Oy 4 ma
louty 50 large rs I~u .thuds OF each mouse And
YET 10 these Q. may be Just rs important that he
puolc VIII should ~ carried out rs m cases u less
DOUBT anu difficulty. |, may ue u.so that 4 presI-
uen' nay oppose lae Se OF laws Of Tue paurst
ano mos pressing necessity. And II he should do
-, u would certainly give him a most ImnroDor
power over The people, 90 enable him 10 prevent the
most necessary legislation, with oH.y oue-tLIrd Of
each house OF congress IN hrs lav1s There Is some
lHinS nconsruOIs IN this union OF legislative and
executive powers ~ the same man. Perhlps II Is
2'oasr hat there should be power somewhere, to
check Lt,ly and .-COnsIutgcrcd cgIsa alton and chat
power may be Is well entrusted 10 the president -
70 any other authority. Bot Il is not necessary thst
should be great eaou-a - prevent all legislation,
7 F#HH n HTNFH Pm. 90 HHH fH q
legislative vii. i would be quite enough tor the
security of the rights Ol the executive, and quIe
enongn 10 ensure temperate and wise lggJslIlI-n 10
allh''zs the president merely 20 send back 90 the
.eglN. allure Tor reconsideration auy iaw which he
tIsl1qclycd. BY tIu. It1tlus % that body tine
and opportunity Tor re &C ION, with all the addition
al lights which the PRESIDENT himself could throw
/ upon inc subject, we should have every reasonable
security Tor me due exercise of ,.s legs ause Wis.
Goln. ana ILl. expression %! the pubic vgll. b
IT, after all this, the legislature m both ~, branches
should sal adhere to their opinion, the theory ana
me SOUND riacu'e OF al our 90 ,.tuiious require
/ that iAe.r decision should be binding aud fnl.
| The rs-eiis'yIly OF the president, tom term 20
term, is the necessary source OF uumJcress abuses
/ The iaci that the same presi0au, may be elected
not fora second ieTm only, Uul isr third Jg fourth
or twentieth, vii ere u-s suggest to hrn the nos.
| coFGp'ng uses OF ms FoHers, in order 20 secure
that oUJsc.. At present there Is no danger Of thi.
PreslJen.s aye now made, no, 10y the free sufTuges
OF the people, "u; 10y parry management; and Their,
IRE always more than ono DO the successful plr.y.
who are looking 10 their own turn o. the pre,iten-
| tai office. |, IS too cary yet Tor q monopoly Of
I that gu honor but the time viii come when the
/ actual incumbent WI. find means to Juy off oppo-
/ siupn and 10 ensure a continuance in Office by
pf0siHuiug the trusts which belong to u. This Is
81 Obviously within the ultIrI. course Of things
. that u may well excite our surprise Una: the con.
/ yea'on should have ei; the public lOrrty wholly
ung alfGed, nt So ssslI'au.e point IL is surely 4
pain dictate OF wisdom, and necessary provision
10 every free government, thittlerc should be some
GehnIl= .!ml. to The duration Of Il curve power IN
/ the same hands. We cannot hope 90 be free from
. the corruptJns which result from an abuse Of
presidential power ana patronage, unit. that officer
| shall he eligible only Jr ore t,rm-a org term If
/ you p0slse-and until be shall he rendered more
easly and directly responsible to the power which
I appoints him."