The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-07
REMARKS OF MR.. PAYNE ON THE VETO
MESSAGE.

Mr. PAYNE referred to the debate which had
taken place this message and regarded as most
extraordinary. Every anathema which 1t was pos
sible for gentleman who opposed to the veto to
select from the vocabulary had been used The Presl
dent had been denounced without measure, as if gull
ty of treason or some other outrageous act. Why
had these denunciations been heaped on the Presi-
dent Simply because in the exercise OF his official
dnty he had vetoed bill, the purpose of which was
repeal the provso of the act of last session. which
declared that distribution should not take place when
the duties exceeded 20 per cent. This the COM
promise of the bill of last session, without which it
could not have passed. The President had signed it
on that consideration and now for faithfully carry
ing out he had been denounced here, and was to be
denounced throughout the Union. But those who
were DESTROYS of making political capital from this
would be disappointed; the President had thrown
himself on the side of the People by saying that they
should not be taxed to carry out the distribution.
The Constitution not only gave the President the
power to do this but it expressly declared If he did
not approve bill that he should veto it-not on
grounds of constitutionaty expedency but simply
on the ground of his non-approval If he did not APP
prove the BILL and failed to veto it, he would have
violated his oath support the Constitution and been
Justly subject those denunciatons which had been
heaped on him. But MIR. P. commended that this con-
duct towards the President was not incompatible
with the course Of the Wing party No person had
thought proper to give the slightest inmation of what
their principles were during the memorable canvass
of l84O; "log cabins, hard cider, coonskins, SC
were the principles that he had been able to learn
from them. There indeed one or two princi-
Piles that governed that party one was to prescribe
prescription and that according to the confessions
of gentlemen themselves this floor, had been grossly
violated.
Mr. p proceeded to say that the war waged on this
question rose far above the President of the United
States it reached him, but the principles involved
went far beyond that, and were change In the Con
stitution of the country. Suppose the party now In
the ascendant here succeeded in this war on the Con
stitutlon, what would be the consequence? The first
resistance to Executive power but the very r. a
sonng which, founded on popular will, enabled them
to triumph over the President, would enable them
] triumph over the Senate also. The Senate were no
the representatives of the popular will; not as mucf
| so as the President Would it stop here No. Iht
Judiciary department. which was vested with the In
depreciation of laws, would also become
and be prostrated under the hypocrtcal cant OF re
fleeing the popular WILL and then this House woult
have undisputed sway-control every thing, and b.
vested with power the life liberty, and property
of the People.
What would be the conseqt ence of thus carrying
out their principles of popular wi?s Mr. F. referred
to the history Of the French republic and to its Legs
latve Assembly, which, under the pretext OF reflect
ing the popular WILL committed excesses destructlor
of fe and enacted scenes of blood, carnage and de-
vastaton, at which humanity would shrink back VIII
CONSERVATION. This was the fearful action OF Gov
eminent when controlled alone by one Legislative
body. These to be the consequences, II the.
succeeded in their war on the Constitution. But
gloomy the anticipation, he had an abiding
confidence in the purity and patriotism OF the Peo
pie. All that was necessary was to expose the In
sdious designs Of the present dominant party, ane
they would be driven from power, and others would
be put in who would be faithful to their interests.
MIR. P. concluded by saying that he would not g
into examination of the compromise act; that hat
been ably done by the gentleman who preceded him
and having given his views the veto, he woult
yield the floor.