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

In Constitutional Monarchies the Veto Power
IS virtually a dictatorial power, or, in other
words, the power of the Monarch TO annul the
will of the nation. With us this power is to-
tally different thing. Ii is but faculty. in the
hands of the Executive, of suspending the legis-
latve action of Congress, and of sending back.
for It's reconsideration, the subject of the law,
when the law is thought to be unconstitutional,
defective, or yioative of the rights of individu-
ais OF the States, the interests OF whole sections
of the country, or of minorities, as well as of
the independent action of the respective branch
es of the Government itself. 1t is power con
servative of the CONSTITUTIONS barrier against
the encroachments OF triumphant geographical
party, in Congress, on the interests OF = less nu
merously represented section in that body-con-
seryative of the liberties of the people them
selves, by throwing back upon the Legislature for
more careful examination the sublect-matter
of the proposed law No great act, vitality af-
fecting the interests or rights of the community,
should ever be carried into execution without
decided expression of the wishes Of those who
are 10 be influenced BY it, This expression of
the public will is made the supreme law of the
land by the exercise Of the Veto power What
occurs when DILL is returned by he President,
with his objec ions The subject is brought up
again before Congress, and If, on a renewed
consideration, two-thirds Of that body confirm
by their votes their previous act, the law neces-
sarily goes into effect, despite the will Of the
President The exercise OF the Veto Power by
the President has, therefore, only had the effect
Of suspending the action of Congress-of ensur-
ing deliberative aud decisive expression Of
the national will through the rel resentatives Of
the people But if Congress does not re-enact
the bill by majority oftwo-thirds, what happens
then? Why, all action is suspended, and the
subject-matter is virtually referred 10 the great
body Of the people themselves. for their rehec-
ZION and final decision, They are called on 10
Judge the difference between the President and
Congress, and their,will becomes the law. Thus
the Veto power, under our Constitution, is yir
tually moderating, and not dictatorial power,
Would the people, would any portion Of the
Union, the Slave-hoding States, for example,
have their Liberties and their rights less efIectu-
ally guarded What would become Of popular
liberty2 What would become Of the natural
rights Of individuals What would become of
the rights of minorities And, above all, what
would become Of the independence and rights
of the States, those particularly in which
slavery exsts-what we say, will become
of all these essential elements OF our poltl
cal system, if they were delivered up 10
the absolute disposal of simple party Con-
gressonal majority How else are the funda
mental bases Of our system TO be defended
against the destructive efforts of factous party
legislation 2 BY what other means can the
rights, the interests the liberties, of the people
be protected against the violence of party dicta-
torship--too often embodied in single party
leader, impelled by an inconsiderate and reckless
ambition The American People will not be
jealous or mistrustlul of the Veto power 1t is
their own; and, with the exception of their own
potential ballotbox, it is the only effectual guard
ian of liberty and of right, against that spirit of
party dictatorship, party violence, and ruthless
faction, which are engendered by, and are the
necessary growth Of, liberty itself.