Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-08-25
MIR. uPSHUR ONrHE VETO

We have already briefly adverted, to the opinion
terained and expressed in $40 by jadge Abe p. Up
shur, on the Ncto Power. 1t is to be lancntcd that
Secretary Abel Z. trshuf in 1912, has forgotten
nonced the solemn and deliberate opinion Of the idge.
The psblic will be loss, however, to determine
that tina, opinion is est likely have been patriotic
which was uitoied private citizen, and voluntarily.
and that lis opposite. maintained under the auremonts
sad coistrants Of oflica position. smos likely be
rnp-becanse il is assumed for the occasion, which de
maids II not its expression impied acqucscence in
It's poprety. How soon do men in Office forget the pa
triotc sentiments which secured them public favor-
Read the following extract from Judge pshurs book:
and then reflect the position Of Secretary Ipshur. the
confidential (and next to Henry A. Wise, the most in
fluentaD adviser Of Monsieur teto:
"Another striking impertection of the Constitution.
respects the Executive department. is found in the
Veto Power TIE right 10 forlM he People 10 pass
,chatercr lars they pleaSc IS The yet TO deprre item Of
SELF government II Is power which can be en-
trusted To man. any number OF men, short of the
sh ople themselves, wHhom he certain obstruction Of
.Paoiic liberty II is rue hat each department. Of Tie
Governmen: should be armed with certain power of
self protection against the assaults of the other depart
mcns; and the Executive. probably stands mos in need
Of such protection But the Veto Power, as it stands
IN the Constitution, goes far beyond this object. 1t is.
in effect. power in the Executive department forbid
al acilOn III any OihCf IL Is true ,hat, WtNltlStan
ding the Veto OF the President law may be still be
passed provided t,coUirdS Ct each House Of Congress
agree therein; but ii is obvious that the are very
in which snch could lie expected. la
of plain necessity or policy the eto wend not be
applied and those of doubtful necessity or policy would
rarely be carried by majority large wohrds Of
each House. And yet in these il may be Just as inpur-
that the public will should be carried out as in ca
of less doub, aud difficulty. 1t may be also that
President may oppose the passage of laws of Ire pian
est and most pressing ncccSSig And ifle should do So
il would certainly give him most improper power over
the People TO enable him prevent the most necessary
legislation, with only third Of each House Ct Con
gress favor There is something nconguous IN this
union of Legislative and Executive powers in the same
Perhaps it is proper that there should be power
somewhere to check hasty and consdered legislation
and that power may be well entrusted the President
to any other authority. But it is not necessary that
should be great enough to prevent all legislation
control in any respect the free exercise Of the Ieesa-
tive will. 1t would be quite enough for the security OF
the rights ofthe Executive, and quite enough to
sure temperate and wise legislation. anhorise the
President merely TO send back to the Legislature for
Reconsideration any law which he disapprovcd. BY
thus aflordng 10 that body time and opportunity for re
ieciion, with all the additional lights which the Pro-
dent himself could throw upon the subject we should
nave every reasonable security for the due of
.he legislative wisdom. and fair expression of the
public will. But if after all this the Legislature in
,'n branches should still adhere to their opinion The
.e"y ana The sound practice Of all our institutions
na.n '''S' ~ D"'''f'7 ''''|t
20 Al political meeting in New York, recently
'o''n ~ Stevenson, notorious defaltcr, introduced
..'''o''o'S denouncing the Wings for prohgacy corrup
'o''' waste OF the public money, &c. The Devil repro