The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-11
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER IL, ls4l.
THE SECOND VETO.

second veto. We had sincerely hoped and |
prayed that there might be either concurrence |
OF action between the coordinate branches of |
the Government with reference to this highly |
important question Of the public finances and |
currency, or postponement of the subject to |
more suspicious season. Congress, however, |
discharged what they considered their duty, and |
the President what he has considered his. We |
cannot doubt that both have acted according to |
the best lights before them, and from patriotic
desire to promote the good Of the country.
| Nobody doubts that the finances and currency
OF the country greatly require improvement and
regulation. How this requirement shall be met
has been, and unfortunately still is, the question
to be solved. The President is decided in his
convictions that Congress possesses no consti-
tutional right to create National Bank to ope-
rate per sc over the Union. His views on this
point were distinctly stated in his first veto mes
sage, and are repeated In this. So far as he is
concerned, therefore, a National Bank is out of
the question. 1t will bevain ever again 10 ap-
proach JOHN TYLER upon the point of constitu-
tionality. '~..:. %....
The bill to charter "Fiscal Corporation"
does not, in the Presidents opinion, differ in
principle from the former one. The objections,
therefore, which he entertained to the one, are
not at all removed by the other, but are increased
in number by points of detail. The objection
that the former permitted local discounts on pro-
missory notes, he does not regard as obviated
by changing the form, so as to procure the same
discounts through bills of exchange. Local
discounts can be procured under both bills, and
both create corporation to operate per Sc over
the Union. Ii he objects to one, therefore, on
the ground that it is unauthorized by the Con-
stitution, the objection, in his judgment, applies
with equal cogency and justice to the other.
i Regarding this bill, as he did the other, as un-
warranted by the Constitution, he had no alter
native, as sworn officer, but to interpose his
constitutional negative. His remarks upon the
sanctity and responsibility of the official oath,
are pertinent, just and true. If the oath of a
public officer is not to be regarded, of what use
} is the oath? Corrupt and dangerous indeed
must be that code of political morals, which re-
CARDS the public oath with levity and contempt.
If there is to be no sense of moral responsible
ity in public men, what guaranty is there that
there will be stability, safety and justice in the
administration of public trusts2
The objections of detail stated by the Presi-
dent, and which it is unnecessary to repeat,
cannot fail to strike the best friends of the bill
! with force. For our own part we dislike the
name of the measure, and that the amount of Its
business, as well as profits, is unlimited, is ar
: additional objection. .- 49,. III 49,.
In stating that the defects to which the Pre-
f sident alludes, being founded in the Fundamental
e law of the corporation - ;.~s~eeesdten h
recognizes doctrine apparently adverse to tina
Of sRepeal," which has been so warmly urget
in some quarters. This point will doubtless at
tract attention, though only mentioned, in thu
message, incidentally. .....--
There is one view of this matter touched up.
on, with much feeling, by the President, to
which the attention of the American peo-
pie will be particularly called. When Mr..
Tyler was summoned, in Aprillast, to the Chief
: Magistracy, it was with emotions of mingled
grief and surprise. He found himself, without
: moments time for preparation, translated from
the simple occupation of farmer in Virginia, to
the weighty and almost infinite cares of the Pre-
sidency of proud and mighty Empire. The
events of the period Immediately succeeding
his accession crowded thick and fast upon him.
The whole country was excited by the Inaugu-
ration and the unexpected death of General
Harrison. The confusion of the day necessari-
ly invaded the Executive mansion. The city
was crowded with people-the Executive overrun
with visiters. The Extra Session came, and
people and events crowded and hurried on
With all the multifarious business and respon-
sibilities of this comprehensive Government,
an unheard-of number of personal calls and i'm
portunities, with loud clamors for reform on one
side, and pathetic appeals and circumstances on
the other, various important subjects before
Congress demanding his attention, all pressing
at once, were enough to overwhelm any COM
mon man. Among other laws, defective and
impracticabe $50 ADMITTEDLY Bank bill was pass
ed. All the acts Of the Congress were review
ed by the President and approved by him, ex-
cept that The Bank bill was returned with
his objections stated in a clear and unequivocal
manner. The discussion Of the subject evinced
great differences of opinion, and it was admitted
that the people had not given any very clear ex-
preston Of their will upon the subject Seeing
the strong convictions of the Presidents mind
against the constitutionality of National Bank
observing the unfavorableness of the period to
any just and enduring reconcilement of opinion
on the subject, and being of the opinion that
Congress had passed laws of a number and i'm
portance amply sufficient to justify the time
they had employed, and to commend them to
the applause of their constituents, we anxiously
recommended an adjournment Of this single
question to the regular session of the ensuing
winter. We had reason to know that the Pre-
sident was very DESTROYS that the subject should
thus be postponed, and left as open as possible
for future action. Such was, however, the