The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-12

OF LOUISIANA was then ordered 70 De ehSrosseu Aoi
third reading.
The bill to enable claimants in the States of Ar
kansas, Missouri Mississippi, and louisiana, to inst-
tute suits to the validity of land claims In those
States considered as in Committee Oh 'he
Whole.
A debate ensued in which Messrs. BARROW,
LINN. BENTON, BERRIEN, HENDERSON,
TAPPAN, HUNTINGTON, MOUTON, and Nc
ROBERTS participated, and the bill was ordered 10
be engrossed for third reading
The Senate then went into an Executive sessioh'
and after some time spent therein, the doors were
opened, and it adjourned.
From the Globe.
MIR. CLAY'S AMENDMENTS TO THE CON
STITUTION.
A momentary consideration of the second amend
ment or alteration of the Constitution proposed by
Mr. Clay, will show at once that i amounts 10
complete subvefsion of the Veto power OF the rresi,
| dent. The resolution proposes THAT when bill
that shall have passed the Senate and House OF ke-
representatives. of the United States, shall be returned
by the President with his objections to his approba-
| ton and signature if, upon Its Reconsideration, IL
shall again pass each hous by majority OF all the
members belonging to such house, notwithstanding
the Presidents objections it shall become Law, ana
the requiston by the existing Constitution OF two
thirds of each Hause again to pass the Dill IN such
case is hereby annuled."
| Passing by the excessive clumsiness of this SEN
ence, and its want OF that clear and definite Precl-
sion which should always distinguish every distinct
4
not amount resolution for converting one OF the
most grave and important provisions OF the Constu-
ton into mere legislative farce? 1t proposes the
absurdy of Congress first passing law and sending
it to the President for approval; but Il he should
withhold his appreciation, then the same Congress, NY
| a simple majority may enact the law without it.
| Now we would ask where, In case the proposed
alteration is adopted would be the use OF sending
| law to the President for his approval, II the BODY
which sends it may adopt and make 1t the law OF the
| land xyith hs
which necessary in the first instance to pass the
law This is virtually saying to the President, Sir
send you law we have just passed, ior your APP
proval if you approve IT. well and good II you 40
not we will pass 1t again, and your most obedl-
ent' AS the Constitution now stands, the exercise
of the veto power throws back law upon Congress,
and renders a and stronger expression o. their
will necessary to its passage AS MI. Clay wouid
have it, the majority that passed it before 1t was sent
to the President for his approval may affirm the act
and make it as obligatory if it were approved by
that officer, except in accidental cases. such as he
Bankrupt law, when the measure passes without a
ma iority voting for it. The veto power Will thus be
substantially abolished and the Transmission OF laws
from Congress to the President for his approval an
empty, unlAeanng ceremony. The entire legislative
power will thus be lodged in single branch OF the
Government, and the balance OF constitutional pow
ers completely oyerthrown.
Why not do this directly, manfully, and above
board? Why not offer direct proposition that the
Veto should be abolished, instead of going about the
bush, and substantially attaining the same object by
circumocution' MIR. CLAY may choose to call tins
" restricting the exercise of the Veto power" but
any body may see at once that proposition amount
entire abrogation, through sly insid Gus SUI
terfuge which annihilates the substance and leaves
nothing but the shadow 1t cannot be presumed that
the force of argument which may be Embodied in the
objections of the President, will operate to the con-
version of sufficient number of members to neutral
ize or overcome the majority by which the law was
first passed For example, one believes that either
fOf Mr. Tvr me- a
from the support Of the measures he repudased-
The objections he urged were met, on final consl-
deration Of the subject, by majority equal II not
superior, to that by which the bills were originally
passed So with the OF General Jack son, which,
| if they had been nuitied by Mr.. Gays resolution
| would have failed altogether in arr,stng measures
which found on an appeal to the people, 10 DC
exceedingly unpopular with the constituents OF many
| of the members who supported them.
| Executive influence Is, however, the great WIND
mill with which political QuxOle has entered the
lists, with the avowed purpose OF diminishing an IN
uence Congress- which has resulted SO frequently
the extraordinary spectacle OF President Ia MI
norily in that body, while great majority OF the peo-
| pie sustained h,m. Mr. Clay has couped with his
demonstration on the yeto a proposition tina, mo Sc
Representative shall during the term, or irac-
ton of term for which he was elected, be appointed
to any civil office OF the United States This is
something like the seIf-denying ordinance OF the ia
nous Rump Parliament, which, however, was ln'hcd
| to military appointments which Mr.. Clay has not
'self denying ordinance J" tor what reason we are at
loss decide. But he this it may I'VE are FULLY
of opinion that it, would seem from the implication
of MIR. Clay, the Senators and Representatives Ia Con-
spess are so proneto yield to the seducl'ns OF Excel
Five patronage, that they require the restraint OF aw
if such is really the low standard OF repre- sentative
integrity and PATRIOTISM still We doubt the efficacy OF
this specific for securing their consclences iomte temp
taton-it ought to go turher
There are various avenues through which the hu-
man heart may be successfully assaled. There Is a
direct as well as indirect bribery. A benefit confer
red son, brother or father; an office Ven 10
dear friend atner IN whose Interests we are
deeply concerned; The promise OF situation at some
definite period OF tme; succession ot good dinners,
and repetition OF gratifying couresies are among
the inducements which sway the interests and pas IONS
of poor human nature, and not unfIequen'iy convert
enemies into friends. We therefore do not place I'M
plicit reliance in Mr. Cay's seltdenyng ordinabce-
Nay will 90 farther and say, thai there is not
sufficient patriotism md integrity IN Congress to re-
sis, these temptations, why then throw physic to the
dogs for can prevent the rotten tree nom tall
inv without The agency of the funds La iact ie >-
which requires 10 be forever guarded, is scaIc,
worth the sentinel.
w lille wa ching with such socitude the progress
Of Executive influence, which, OF late years. ,,as adj
vanced like a crab, back ards, Mr. Clay, we thinh,
would do we'll to his attention TO points, Ia
our humble opinion much more dangerous We re-
fer to the vast and increasing Influence ui Governnent
in the aggregate, exercised through system ui iegis
laton CHI renders the business, The CAPITAL, and me
labor of the county, subservient to lis cape ces It's
passions, and lis political lneress; 10 ihe ntiucnee
of banks and corpoi ATOMS which Mr.. ay is auorng
to strengthen by every his power, and when
already controls the legislation OF So large portion
of the States If not that of the Union; and, hnaly,
would point his patriotic efforts to the aiarhinS
progress of that foreign influence against which the
Father of his Country warned his cnihifen Win al
most his last breath and which, reinforced by the e.
gions OF Plutus, and of a growing tanalicisn, now
mcnaces only our national rights but our nation
al existence.