The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-06
PHOCION.
CONGRESS-.

In the House. Monday, 4lh of July, after
few minutes devoted a usual 10 some informal
business, Mr.. HUNTER, who was entitled to the
floor, began his speech by giving brief sketch
of the causes which produced the Veto. The
Distribution bill contained clause suspending
the distribution in case imposts should be esta-
blished above twenty per cent Two bills had
been reported for revenue, both raising duties
above twenty per cent-but, in advance of these,
late in the month of June, temporary bill had
been sent to the President for his signature
and this bill, though temporary in its provisions,
was such as to put the President in posi-
ton that he must either sanction duty above
twenty per cent. in conjunction with The dstri-
button, or he must encounter the obloquy of
leaving the revenue laws with the alleged i'm
perfection. 1t was said the lands belonged to
the States-this he denied, and briefly adverted
to the arguments showing the position to be I'M
sound 1t had been also asserted that the Com
promise act contemplated distribution. This he
also denied, and by an examination of synchro-
nous events, and the provisions of the bills show
ed that the converse of this assertion is true. 1t
had been asserted that the receipt o. the la nd sales
into the Treasury of the General Government,
rendered the revenue vaciating and uncertain.
The argument carried with it its own refuta-
ton.
Again 1t has been argued that it never was
contemplated that the Veto power should ever
be exercised, unless IN the case of constitutional
objections. This position is untenabe. The
power was granted by the Constitution to pro-
tect the Executive, and to prevent hasty legis-
lation. A question Of expediency might
readily be made the instrument for assailing the
power conferred on the Executive--a question
of expediency might be one of the most per-
vading influence over he interests and institu-
tons of the country. The Constitution, there
fore, does not confne the exercise of the Veto
power to difficulties arising under an interpreta-
ton of its own provisions-and wisely has it
done so. This power is great Republican and
Conservative institutional is an essential in
gredient in the great system of checks and ba-
lances which constitute a Republican Govern
ment The House of Representatives is the
poplar branch-but it is an aggregate Of indi-
Nluudis REPRESENTING stpotdtS iutcicStS-SdCu
member speaking the wishes and maintaining
the veal of his own particular constituents spe-
cialy. The Senate represented the federative
power-and, as in the other branch, each Sena-
tor contended principally for the benefit of his
own State. The third branch of the law-making
did not represent any one district or Stale
bu, he was elected by the Dhoie people and re-
presented the whole people. But, being thus
assimllated 10 the popular branch of the Legis-
lature, counter check upon his power was con-
ferred on the Senate in the Veto it possessed
on his nominations. These are the leading
features of a Republican system. Destroy the
Veto power and you change the character Of
the system. The last inquiry he would make
was-s the exercise Of the Veto power, in this
instance, judicous? He thought it was. He
thoughtif ever a President was called upon to ex
ercse it, this was case In which it was impera-
lively required The wants Of the country, it is
stated, demand a revenue of twenty-seven
million of dollars. This amount cannot
be raised by imposts. A moderate duty
on the estimated impots will not produce that
sum. If you lay high duties, you insure SNUG
! Cling by the Northwestern frontier and conse-