The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-09-08
Extracts from a letter, dated

PORTSMOUTH, N H.
"The Protest we have read, and admire. 1t is a
manly and sensible document The President in the
exercise of his strict constitutional duties, returns
bill he cannot approve, by law he is required, TO
the House where it has originated, with his reasons
for not afxing it his signature. His duty, in ac-
cordance with his oath of Office, he faithfully and
fearlessly performed in consonance with the strict
letter and spirit Of the law and from the House that
sent him the bill, devised and matured in the exer
else of their legal privileges, he had right to antci-
pate courteous and customary disposition OF ms
Message, prepared equally with their measure, in
obedience to the provisions of the Constitution How
was he and the nation disappointed! Instead OF en-
tering the Message upon the Journal of the House,
then reconsiderng the bill itse in contemplation OF
its passage by two-thirds Of the two Houses, and
thereby making it law, the Presidents objections
notwithstanding, course enjoined by law, the fac
tous and unreasoning majority appoint committee,
with yiDdclye and querulous chairman, TO take the
Message into consideration, and TO advise the House
upon the most expedient course TO be pursued! A
most extraordinary proceeding! unprecedented and
dangerous One branch Of the Government, cupa-
bly, neglecting its own duties assuming powers un-
warranted either by express law, by practice Of
parliament, sits in judgment upon the acts OF co-or-
dinae branch, strictly confined in the exercise OF Its
power within its legitimate sphere Is the President
of the United States responsible to the House Of Re
for the exercise of his pure legal rights
Is he dependent upon their good will Tant beHe pa-
sio for his official powers Is his high position gra
tuity of theirs Has their breath called him into tenn
porary existence political and endowed him with GER
taiu otu hch theyc disno AT
and what is the House of Representatives that they
dare arrogate to themselves all the functions of Co
vernmenti Are we in these latter days, to be visit
ed, like forefathers, with the Of long par
lament, which, under the specious preence of hber
y and in the guise of patriots break down all the
barriers Of the Constitution, violate all the charities
of life, reckessy abuse powers basely assumed and
terminate, at the time, their political exis
tence and the institutions Of their country Better
far that we should live under despotc head, with
no restrictions but his own will, upon his power, than
suffer from the violence of one hundred tyrants who
to the aggrayation Of our misery, make mockery of
law, and insult at the time they abuse
our privileges by pretended adherence to consttu-
tonal acquisitions Better monarchy subject at
least to public opinion, than odious irresponsible
oligarchy
"For throughout the whole session The House has
displayed encroaching disposition, reckless dlsre-
gard # all the hitherto venerated provisions of the
Constitution fac'ious, quare>one, disorganizing
spirit which, if rlher INDUCED will, must inevitably
lead TO The subversicn of all constituted authorities
and those persons look far saOr, of the ultimate effects
OF The Grimes promulgated under the authority of
this Hou Q, who do not that their tendency is to
make the representative body, not such was in
tended by the Constitution, third branch of the Lee
gisaiure but absorb for all the Legislative all the
Exc cutve powers to create for It's decisions
;hory irrespective of every constitutional restriction
to constitute it delegated assembly, seemingly re-
fecve of the Peoples wishes, really attentive but to
their own assembly to which, practically, nothing
could, and in reasoning, nothing ought, to stand in
opposition to make it the source of patronage the
fountain of all honors the dispenser patronage TO
declare the Representative the judge instead Of the
constituent Of the merits dement's of the public
servants that their statutes, like those Of the Druids
recorded their breasts only, should be explain
I'd and enforced by bare majority"