The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-17

limited construction, the Constitution will sink at
once into useless instrument, moulded into various
shapes, at the will of the National Legislature 1t is
very strange that this absurdty, which makes so
conspicuous feature in the speeches of some of the
members of the Wing party, should never have &C.
CURED, either to the statesmen who formed the Con-
stitution, or to the patriots who composed the first
Congress.
Is there power given TO any other branch of the
Government, IN terms more direct more clear, and
strong There is nothing constructive here il is all
express and positive.
We might cite several passages of the Federalist
in support of these views. 1t is not for us to pro-
nounce the eulogy of that work-who they were that
wrote it-how eminent in point Of abilities, and what
were their opportunities of understanding the true
design and meaning of the Constitution, well
known to every statesman. We cannot help remark
ing, however, that if the views for which contend
be in truth extremely odious, offensive and shock
ing, II is little strange that statesmen admitting them
TO have common sense, should have urged this very
construction. 1t the fayorite construction under
Jetiersons administration, and it has remained for
the superior sagacty ind keen Jealousy Of the present
times to espy any thing dangerous repulsiye in it,
But II Is not to the dominant party, to the nation,
and to posterity that the observance of settled con-
sttutona principles, in cases of the exercise of the
Veto power, is alone important. II is equally so TO
the character and feelings of the individual at the
head of the Government, Is there any member Of
the Wing party, who would wish, would consent, to
tional law properly speaking, to be deprived
and Iaftt Tho ,pN.a e
passions and prepossessions Were cases like this in
volving the exercise of the Veto power to be deter
mined on views of expediency, and not sound
principles of constitutional law, to what suspicious
might not the President be liable, having sought the
indulgence of luminosity, or the attainment of some
selfish end instead of acting for the public good But
when he is known to be governed by the settled rules
of constitutional law and is considered its organ,
his motives will be more respected, and his conduct
less liable to suspicion and reproach.
When it is contended that Congress egislates upon
measures subject to the action of the Executive it
is assertion perfectly Ineligible, but the under
standing is in some degree COMPOUNDED by the other
proposition, that the Executive mind must be moulded
by the popular will. This proposition, if infused
into the Constitution would introduce strange ano-
Government. Its sanction to bill is absolutely ne
cessary, to give vitality to legislative act.
The argument that, because majority of the Re-
representatives. in Congress, declared in favor of esta-
blishing National Bank that the President in exer-
csing the Veto power, violated the will Of the nation
In other words that the President should be con-
trolled by the popular voice-no phrase in our Ian
guage is abused or misunderstood than the
Sovereignty Of The peopls-that nothing in Republic
should be independent of them The great and le-
climate sovereignty of people is truly an awful
subject, full of power and commanding respect-it
consists in full acknowledgment, that all power
originally emanates in some way from them; and
that all responsibility is finally, in way, due to
them. But we contend, that this sovereignty does
not consist in right to control interfere with tho
regular and constitutional operations and functions of
the Executive branch Of the Government The peo-
pie having delegated their power-having distributed
for various purposes into various channels and d.
rected its course by certain limits, they have right
to impede it while it flows in its intended directions,
otherwise we have government Having parted with
their power under certain regulations and restrictions
they are done with it-they bound by the Consti-
tuition In this instrument they have declared the man
ner in which they will correct abuses.
] We should rccoect that the Veto power is a two
| edged sword. 1t must be remembered, that power
must often change hands in popular Government
and that, after every struggle the victorious party
comes into power with resentments crafty, by the
destruction OF their yanqushed opponents, with a
thirst for vengeance, to be slaksd in their blood
statesmen ought TO beware how they give their sane
| ton to principles, which may be turned against
themseIves-how they forge bolts which may soon be
hurled on their own heads. In popular Government,
principles therefore important, for the pIotec-
ton of the weaker party against the violence of the
stronger i. above all things behooves the party actual
in power to adhere strictly and faithfully to the prin
ciples Of the Constitution, lest, by departing from
them, tlcy furnish at once the provgcaon and wea
pons for their destruction.
We have we think demonstr ated beyond all con
troversy that President Tyler, in exercising the Veto
power acted consistently, and that this power is one
of the high prerogatves Of the Executive deemed es-
sentiay necessary to protect the Constitution from
the aggressons of the popular branch Of the Govern
ment. In all this we perceive nothing to perpex or
alarm us. Ii exhibits welldiges,ed plan of govern
ment, worthy of the excellent men by whom it was
| framed.
| REORGANIZATION OF THE NAVY.
Congress has promised to enter with un,iring
seduity on the works of reform In redeemng
this pledge, we hope it will not conine its la.