The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-08-20
THE VETO POWER.

ally poured out upon the head OF the President
of the United States by the ultra Federal press
and from the anathemas, both cloud and Deep"
Illuminated against him from the Hall of Repre-
sentatives, on the occasion of his returning, un-
signed, the mongrel protection bill, stranger
10 our institutions would be led to suppose, that
Mr.. Tyler had in that act tramped upon the su-
preme law Of the land, and set at naught the
known will of large majority OF the People,
whose servant he is. Such an individual might
be surprised at the anomalous statement, that
being so AFFECT, so impoent, as they describe
s.his accidency" to be, had seized upon some
mysterious and energetic power hitherto un-
known and unheard OF in the history OF free go
yernments, and in the very wantonness OF des-
polism welded it for the purpose of aggravating
the distress which already pervades the land,
and of grinding in the dust People already
bruised and suffering from bad government;
but he would not think ii strange that the Rep-
resentatives of this abused People, should
threaten impeachment, nor could he be very
much astonished that in the overiiowln9s Oh
their patriotic indignation, they should make
poioted illusions to the tyrant Charles, The
block, and the headsman.
Surprising such to be the impressions pro-
duced on the mind of the unsusplcous inquirer
after truth, wac should seek information OF the
public affairs of this country from the sources
alluded 10, how great would be his astonish-
ment when the veil of falsehood should be
lifted. and the simple truth should stand forth
from the obscurty in which 1t is the policy OF
the present majority in Congress TO conceal 1T,
by distorting, and classifying each act and motive
of the Executive
1t is one Of the evils of party despohsm, that
its volaries seldom take the pains 10 think or to
Judge for themselves, even in respect to ques-
tons involving vital constitutional principles,
but adopt the opinions which are dictated by IN
teresled party leaders Hence it is that among
honest well meaning men, there are very few
who denounce what they term the abuse OF the
Veto power, without having ever referred to the
Constitution from which that power is derived,
and where It's nature and extent is clearly de-
fined. What say that venerable and sacred
Instruments
Every bill which shall have passed the House OF
Represen laves and the Senate shall, before it be-
law be presented to the President othe nj
ted States If he approve he shall sign 1t, but not,
he shall return with his objections to the House IN
which it shall have originated" &c.
Is the question of approval here confined to
cases Of constitutional doubt? Is it not rather
imperalvely required OF the Presidents to re-
turn, in the mode prescribed, every bill which
he caunot conscientiously approve, whether his
scruple relate TO its constitutionaity or expedi-
ency Having sworn TO support the Constitu-
ton, and TO conform to all its requirements, has
the President right to sign bill which he verify
believes is calculated to operate injuriously even
though its constitutionality were unquestioned,
and though majority of three -iourths of the
People and Of their Representatives approved
it? If not, how much less could he have been
excused, if to shelter himself from the storm OF
wrath and fury to which he knew he would be
exposed he had-conlrary to his clear and
settled convictions of right and duty-sgned
the bill Of denominations which has recently been
presented to him.
The wisdom and torethought of the patriots
and sages who formed the Constitution, in no
thing appear more strikingly than in the crea-
ton of this truly conservative power; and there
has been no period il the history of our Gov
eminent when its value could have been as
clearly illustrated as in its application at the
present crisis. But for 1t mere majority in
Congress, in violation of all the pledges under
which they came into power, laughing TO scorn
the wishes of the People whom they had de-
ceived, would, by neiarlous system Of bug gain
have foisted upon the country series of mea-
sures one of which they dared to defend
before their constituents when canvassing for
their votes. Thanks to the wisdom of our ia =
Tiers, and TO the unbenching frmness of a pa
triOtic Executive, their unrighteous plans have
been defeated; and though they may illuminate
their impotent wrath against the President in
reports and manlestoes, and though they may
attempt through a venal press, to make ia Sc
issue before the nation, striving to conceal their
own deep disgrace by casting opprobrum upon
his conduct and motives and upon what they
delight to style the "one-man power,n which
he has interposed between them and their UNI
hallowed purposes-they will not deceive the
feopie, VINO VIII decide justly In regard 10 the
whole matter, and to their judgment we cheer
fully leave it.
"The one. man power!" That there is a
power extensively aud mischievously felt in
the affairs of this nation, which well deserves
to be thus designated, no calm observer will de-
ny. 1t is power unknown to the Constitu-
ton, subtle, despotc, and Irresponsible power
which would fain rule or ruin and delights TO
mar everything which it is not permitted TO
make. None are more sensible of the extent of
this power than many of the majority in Cor
gress, who, under It's Iron rule" have been