Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-01
MONDAY, Jan. "a, 1S42.
UNITED STATES SENATE.

AMENDMENTS OF The CoNsT1TU-
TON.
The resolutions submitted some time
since by Mr.. CLAY, proposing to
amend the Constitution in regard to
the veto and other powers, were called
up as the special order Of the day.
The resolution having oeen read
Mr.. CLAY addressed the Senate.
Whatever, he said, might be the ulti-
mate fate of the amendment which had
just been read, or Of the two other kin
dred amendments which he had the
honor of offering at the same time
with it, he should at least enjoy the
consciousness OF having discharged his
duty in their nra.snnIaiinu IIa ,a,,,st
regret, indeed that the duty of present.
ing and Of advocating their adoption by
the Senate, had not devolved upon ADLER
and more skilful hands still however,
he considered the measure as one he
was bound in conscience to present in
his place for the action O. this body.
Norhad the duty of this performance
been prompted, as some mightsuppose
and had been suggested in CERTAIN quar-
tiers, by any recent exercise OF tie
power 10 which the resolution had ref
erence; yet he was free to confess that
although the subject was one which had
long been in his mind and on which he
had thought much and deeply for
years past the course of recent events
had certainly not tended to weaken, if
it had not added much to the strength
of his impression on the general sub
ject. AS far back as seven years ago,
worthy and lamented friend Of his
from Maryland, now no more, had, in
concert with himself presented a pro-
position, the object Of which had been
TO modify and further to restrain the ex-
ercise by the Executive Of this veto
power. The draughting olthe resolu-
ton, aud even the observation with
which it was to be accompanied, al
had been subject of consultation and
consideration between himself and tha
gentleman. He adverted to this fac
for no other purpose than to repel the
| idea, If it were entertained in the minC
of any who now heard him, that the
amendment now under consideration
and the others which accompanied it.
had been suggested by recent occurren-
ces. AS far back as June, 1910, or
one of the most solemn occasions II
which he had ever been called TO adj
dress a popular assembly-he alluded
to the time when he enjoyed the op-
portunity of addressing the friends o
his youth and the people of his native
county of Hanover, on the subject o
the duties to be looked Tor at the hands
Of the new Wing Administration which
was expected to come into power II
consequence Of the glorious and uni
versal triumph Of the Wing party a
the then approaching election-he ha'
4 placed emphatically and in front Q
them all, that which formed the su6jec
Of the present resolution. After speak
ing of the veto power generally, AM
more particularly OF its exercise by
late President ofthe United States, tn
} speech proceeded to say:
} "The first, and in my opinion, tn
most important object which shout
engage the serious attention of me-
$ Adm inistration is that OF circumscrlh
! ing the Executive power, and thrown
around it such Limitations and safe
, guards as will render it no longer daT
. gerous TO the public Liberties.
Whatever is the work OF man nece'
!, sarily partakes Of his imperfection; an
$ it was not to be expected that, with a
: acknowledge wisdom and virtues oil u
trainers Of our Constitution, they coul
5 have sent forth a plan OF Governmel
so free from all defect, and SO full
!. guarantees, that it should not, IN Y
conflict ofimbitered parties and OF exc