Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-09-24

MESSAGE

% MESSAGE =-4s
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, *aH .a g
Returning. with his objections, the Bill ITO
provide for the better collection, safe-keepipg
and disbursement of the public redenue, BY
means OF Corporation. to be styled the Fis-
cal Cooperation of the United States"
To the Senate and House Of Representatives of the
United STATES:
II is with extreme regret that feel myself
constrained, by the duty faithfully to execute
the office of President Of the Uniled States, and
to the best of my ability to preserve, protect,
and defend the Constitution of the United
States, to return to that House in which it ORR
lection, safe-kceping, and disbursement Of the
public revenue, by means of corporation to
be led the Fiscal Corporation Of the United
States,' with my written objections.
: In my message sent to the Senate on the 10th
day Of August last, returning the bill s to in
corporate the subscribers to the Fiscal Bank of
the United States,'' distinctly declared that
my own opinion had been uniformly proclaim
ed to be against the exercise 6 of the power of
Congress to create National Bank; to operate
per Sc over the Unon,' and entertaining that
opinion, my main objection to the bill was ba-
sed upon the highest moral and religious obi
cations of conscience and the Constitution. |
readily admit,that whilst the qualified veto with
which the Chief Magistrate is invested. should
be regarded, and was intended by the wise men
who made it a part Of the Constitution. as
great conservative principle of our system,
without the exercise Of which, on important
occasons,a mere representative majority might
urge the Government in its legislation beyond
the limits fixed by its trainers, or might exert
its just powers too hastily or oppresslvely yet.
it is power which ought to be most cautious
ly exerted, and perhaps never, except in case
Immediately involving the public interest, or
one in which the oath of the President, acting
under his convictions, both mental and moral,
imperlously requires its exercise. In such
case he has no alternative.
tie must either exert the negative power in
trusted to him by the Constitution, chiefly for
Its own preservation, protection, and defence,
or commit an act of gross moral turpitude.
Mere regard to the will of the majority must
not, IN constitutional republic like ours, con-
troll this sacred and solemn duty Of sworn
officer. The Constitution itself, regard and
cherish, as the embodied and written will OF
the whole People Of the United States. Ills
their fixed and fundamental law, which thew
UNANIMOUSLY prescribe 10 Inc pubic junction
arles-thelr mere trustees and servants. This, !
their will, and the law which they have given
US as the rule of our action, has no guard, no
guarantee Of preservation, protection and de-
fence, but the oaths which il prescribes to the
public officers. the sanctty with which, they
shall! religiously observe those oaths and patri-
otlsm with which the people shall shield il BY
their own sovereign will, which hes made the
constitution supreme 1t rust no nvor,ad
against the will OF mere representative ma
)orl.y, or not at all. 1t is alone in pursuance
Of that will that any measures can ever reach
the President; and to say that because maio.
rity in Congress have passed bill the Presi.