The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-21
From the Philadelphia .fme1icni Sentinel
THE VETO POWER.

THE VETO POWER,
In our last number we took occasion TO advert Il
the origin of the Veto power, and 10 the wisdom
evnced by the trainers Of our Constitution IN con-
ferrhg il upon the Executive of the Union In oui
opinion the Wings have been too premature IN then
denunciaton of the President for its exercise, and toe
camorous in their efforts to strike from the Collst
ton this kingly prerogatve" as they have been dis
posed TO term it, Notwithstanding The opposition o
the Wing party the Veto, we have ever considered
il a salutary measure. Since the adoption of the
Constitutions the Veto has been frequently exercised
by different Presidents and we believe there is no
instance on record where the people have ever de-
cded against the exercise of this power, when the
question has been presented TO them. The Veto OF
the United States Bank by President Jackson will
long be remembered. When he became candidate
for reelection, the exercise Of that power a
prominent question before the American people. The
bank and its friends, with all the money and inu-
ence which 1t could command, openly took the field
IN opposition to Gen. Jackson and the Veto. The
result of that memorable contest is well known The
American people noby sustained the President in the
exercise OF his constitutional right, and declared that
they were opposed to the bank which he had vetoed
If the recent elections throughout the country,
since the vetoes of the Bank and Fiscal corporations
by Mr. Tyler are to be considered test of public
sentiment, the people have again sustained the Pres-
lent in the exercise of the Veto power, and again
declared their hostility to National Bank.
The circumstances under which the Bank was at
traordinary session. too well known to require q
lengthy notice ON this occasion Ii is an admitted
fact that the establishment of a National Bank was
not made question, throughout the country, in the
election of Harrison and Tyler. And yet, as as
Congress was convened, the Wing leaders had the
hardhood to declare that the popular will had re-
quired the creation of such institution. To be-
lieve the assertions of the Wing leaders in Congress,
would be TO cast an injurious and unmerited refec-
ton upon the intelligence and stability of the Amer-
i'm tha elac of and'r v
Ter, majority of the American people had decided
in favor of Bank-why is il that many of those very
States that gave such overwhelming vote for Har-
rison have sustained Mr. Tyler in the exercise Of the
Veto power' 1t shows concusively to our mind that
the people were deceived by those who refused to
make any declaration of principles "for the public
eye,n attempted to force upon the country measure
which was happily arrested by the President in the
exercise Of the Veto power.
No the Wings defeated in their at
temp,s fascn Bank upon the country, than their
leaders commenced war upon the Constitution As
soon Mr. Clay raised the cry that the Veto must be
expunged from that instrumen-that the will of the
people should not be pasied by the Zone man power"
it was readily reechoed by his patIsans in diferen,
portions Of the country ready willingness ma
infested to make the Government subservient to the
designs of stock jobbers and brokers.
Suppose for moment, that Mr.. Clay and his parti-
should succeed in their crusade against the Con-
s,itution and deprive the Executive OF the Veto pow
er-what would I've the result : 1t would destroy tina,
admirable system OF Government which required the
united wisdom of many sages to perfect, and place
unlimited power in a majority of Congress-whose &C.
ton could be controlled by the will of single man,
the case during the late session. That this is no
matter Of conjecture the history of the last few months
will demonstrate. We have in the halls of legis
lation man, who having been defeated in his asplr
ngs for the Presidency, has yet, by the force OF his
commanding talents and personal popularity rally
around him majority willing TO pursue any course
to subserve his ambitious views. And we have seen
the same man, when defeated in his darling political
schemes, place himself at the head Of party deter
mined 10 make upon the Constitution, and to eff
feet revolution in our Government, 10y abolishing
those necessary checks wisely adapted to prevent
the nction upon the country the adoption of ruinous
and unconstitutional laws.
70 deprive the President of the Veto power, would
be to place the destnes of the country in the hands Of
partisan majority of Congress- and that majority
liable TO be controlled by the dctation of one man,
who blight wish TO erect powerful political engine
TO force himself into supreme power.
We do not believe that the American people are
willing 10 alter their present form Of Government, to
suit the views of any aspiring man, or set ofmen.
The following paragraph, which we find in one OF
exchange papers, correctly expresses cur views
The effect OF the veto power
"The result of the Veto in the modified form in
which il was adopted by the trainers Of our Cons,u
ton can nauar ha mo. .h~. Jeiay. To talk about
its defeating the public will is idle Its chicc il
10 give time for reflection. 1t is prudent maxim ir
politics as well as in morals ''lf an action be doubt
iu abstain from it." And il may be safely assumed
that President indebted for his seat to the suffrage,
of people to whom his public and political opinions
are known, will ever veto measure, Of which tina
people have unequvocally manifested their approba
ton. II Is in doubtful only that this delay will
be interposed It is but the granting of trial
and the verdict rests with the jury Of the People
last