The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1842-01-06

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se:o; they now discover that this power
i badge of monarchy, and say il must
be forthwith plnckedsfrOm the consliia-
ton. We. who have lived cor more Than
half > etatnry under The present conslilu-
ton. are non asked. in moment Of pas
sion. 10 take that venerable instrument 10
pieces, because il happens, just II this
time, 10 he troublesome 10 those who
think il necessary 10 fasien upon The coun-
trya measure unauthorized BY the con-
sliluiiQn, condemned BY The people. and
dangerous 10 our liberties.
This i proposition Of no ordinary
character. We are asked 10 abolish pari
Of that constitution under which We have
lived since the birth Of our independence;
which we have tried and found 20 be am
ply competent to all the purposes Of IA
tional and individual happiness; which
claims our veneration and confidence as
The offspring of the wisdom and virlne Of
our fathers. We shall be slow 10 believe
that they, among whom were Washing
ton and Franklin and Madison. would
have inserted in the charter Of their rights
power dangerous % those great princi-
pies Of freedom for which they had so
long cOntended. Before we shall consent
10 this war upon the constitution, The evils
imputed 10 il must not only be alleged,
but manifest; better reasons must be Offer
ed than any which have yet been given. II
Is not surprising that those who always
find in the constitution authority 10 DO
whatever they desire. should wish TO
strike from that instrument a power BY
which their Federal schemes Of govern
msnl may be confined within the limits
which that constitution prescribcs. Such
Is the object Of the veto; by il the Presi-
dent may arrest ia unconstitutional or un-
wise law. In matters Of difference be-
tween the President and Congress, il is
intended as an appeal TO the people, their
common constituents; If they find that
Congress Is wrong, they will displare
tlose who voted for The objectionable bill;
il they decide that the President is wrong.
they can either displace him as soon as
his election comes on, or in the mean
time they can displace the members who
voted against the bill, and send others who
viii carry out their wishes: for il will be
remembered that the veto power is limit
ed: an act passed BY two thirds Of Con.
grcss becomes law without the consent
OF the President. Thus it will be seen
that this power can never produce more
than delay; that while BY il the President
may presenE permanent mischief. its re-
s,rainls upon the representative are only
temporary. In this there is safety; but
strip the Executive of this conservative
principle, and YOU a, once confer all poll. |
teal power upon one branch Of the govern |
ment. The effect of the veto, so far as
heretofore exercised. has been TO prevent
hasIy legislation, aud to maintain strict
construction of the constitution; il has
checked the designs Of Federalism TO en-
gage the government IN works Of internal
improvement, and twice at least il has sa-
we'd the country from the curse Of ma
tional bank. There never was time
when this power was more demanded or |
better exercised Than during the extra scs-
sion, when a reckless majority, by means
Of caucus diclaiion. had forced through
Congress. in defiance of the public viii,
a measure which the people had previous
ly condemned and have since condemned;
a measure which, as party, they had
feared TO publish, before The elections, as
part Of their intended policy; measure
which their late President had so eiIectu /
ally lodged. upon which he was so non
tommhiat that his mutual friends are UNI
able TO agree upon which side of the fence /
he intended to get down; a measure which
heif Owa candidate for the second Office
within the gift Of the nation had orpos,d
during the whole course of his political
life, and to which he is still opposed.
ResOiued therefore, That the Reform.
ers have violated their solemn pledges TO
abstain from prescription; that they have
failed TO redeem their promises of re-
trenchment; have increased The public ex-
pendl,ures by exirayagant and unconsliiu-
tlonal appropriations; and that their inca
sures of relief are ruinous TO the great boz
dy of the people.
Re'oiced, That we are opposed to the
Distribution Bill-that il is a Tariff mea-
sure in disguise. calculated TO Cypress the
people, and especially the south, for the
beneli, Of wealthy manufacturers.
Resoiced, That We are opposed 10
National Bank, both as regulator OF The
currency and as an instrument for the COL
lection and disbursement Of the revenue.
Resoiued, That the veto, limited as il
is by the wisdom Of our lorefathe.s, is a
poSer-that we arc unwil-
ling TO see thai, or any other portion Of
the constitution, changed TO suit the poll.
tel views of a faciious party.
Resoiced. Tha, we are opposed to the
Bankrupt Bill, though christened by the