Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-11-30
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 30 lsie
THE PREsIpENTIAL VETO.
[ True Wig

THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
In the history of public versatility few things are more
sngularf, indeed, any popular party change of doc
deserves to be considered singular-than the
which the pretended Democrats have pursued in regard
the Veto power.
In Representative Governments, the plain truth is that
whether the chefmagstrae be called King Consul Pre-
sdcni, the Supreme power and should be- from the
very of things the Law-makng: for on that all
Others depend and flow from i, alone. Such has become
the fact, under the only considerable Government of
dcrn times, that has with any thing like pemanencc
bestowed upon its citizens wholesome, liberal and we'll
administered laws; mean, of course, Great Britain; OF
which he whom look far the wises because most
practical, of American Statesmen Patrick Henry said
THAT he admired il above all other Governments that had
yet been tried; for had given its people that of which
there hardly any other example, Free Government
and Good Laws maintained for above $50 years" This
so years since
Now, i'll that government what is the factl Why, clear
ly that its present freedom dates from the establishment OF
the Legislative independence. 1t a contest in Eng
land whether the Executive should hold power of
Reviewing the regular National Legislation, and forcing it,
by his negative, his will. Till TIE time of Charles l.
the English monarchs held this power. 1t made them of
course despotic. When, under the latter Stewards
torn from them, they could be arbitrary longer and the
English King became, except in the and spendour
which surround him, and the national respect with which
he Is looked up o-a ruler ot powers decidedly Ii
med than President He dares far less ovesep the
laws or displease his people dishonour himself.
Such is, in few words, the history English freedom
which is in reality, nothing less than an emanc
patton Of the Legislative and political will of the Nation
from that of it, chef.magsrate.
In the other European States the Monarch has remain
ed such, because this emancipation achieved
All OF them had originally, their pariamens diets or
Subsequently but bded by the royal pleasure and re-
bv il tLo,, 81.
came, al last, disused
If ascend to yet times and institutions to-
tally different, find the rrbunian of the Romans:
popular power invented by peban turbulence TO check
Senatorial tyranny. But this Roman model SO often OPP
pealed and belonging political mechanism differ
ent from our own is the last thing which should have
been cited for parallel something fit be initiated
If officer vested with regular function and created
merely the the peremptory spokesman, of unu-
mary popuace, when acting by absolute commoon can in
any manner be kened to regular high and grave
stuona continuance, then the of Insurrccon
the devices of Violence let loose the safest suggestions
for n regulated authority.
The Tribune little else than ortof reguarlyconsi
tued chosen for his fitness to kick up
DUST and doing it, of course whenevera prctencc could
be found. At first, it only in thathe put
in the popular voice (Which then belonged him TO ex
press against some law extremely obnoxious the
people, which the Senate nboutto pass The Senate
hereditary bodyhad at times oppressed the people
This preventive check upon of their acts good
The people could reach them in other way.
But, with us, there is nothing common in the crcum-
Stances and therefore, be nothing in the
be employed Our Legislature elective body
which the people have regular CONTROL Ii little
likely deliberately to dispesse them and when docs,
the people take sufficient reverse any OBJ
noxiOus
Once more the Tribune represented separate part of
the State, of the three great Glasses Ranks into
which the Romans divided The office was contri-
we'd give them slight, negative part in those legislative
functions which they in other admitted
and against the abuse of which this negative was meant To
protect them
The Negative, then, joined to other eminent
powers, vested, here in the Executive head And
puzzled to imagine why such power should any
more have been given President than the Roman
Consuls If needed, in government, elsewhere than in
the simple popular control public agents. surely it is
needed against the Executive himself as well az the Lee
gsature for his Irresponsibty practically far greater
is substantial; while the Dependence Of the Legislature on
the people is, by the prevailing notion of Instructions made
but too perfect.
To hasten however, this history close We must
add that the Roman Trihuntan power does the over
throw Of their freedom offer ster example Of what fol-
ows when such power Of ovenuling the Legislature is
united with the Executive authority. As mere popular
guard against the occasional injustice Of the Patrcans
degenerated into the liccntous instrument of every
kind Of disorder which the profgae and ambitious could
up rather against law in general than abuses; until
the Legislature rendered mpocnt to enforce
good than pass bad laws; and general anarchy ensued
in which the popular fayourite who could for the time
grasp the VEro senced struck down whatever law he
pleased.
The VETo, word, overthrow the Roman Senate; and
when from the wild and sangunary disorders Of great
and martial city, disputed by hostile mobs and bands Of
padotors and dcsoa;ed by alternate prescriptions the poo
pie last took refuge under the imperial sway of great
and successful sodcr, hc assumed along with the purple
and the pontcae, the TriJUnital Veto the Senate
without which he knew that armies themselves and I'M
bounded popularity could not give him permanent des
pOtism.
GENERAL SCOTT
We accidentally omitted, the Other day, in publishing
the brave Generals Dayton letter. speak Of it and Of him.
10 the which both deserve.