Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-08-26

although much divided other subjects, unani-
nous. Ii is that in the earlier stages Of their pro-
ceedings, it considerably discussed and presented
in different aspects. Some members were in favor bf
absolute veto, and others opposed to any vetd
however qualified but they at length unanimously
adopted The happy mean, and framed The article it
now stands in line Constitution According TO Mr..
Madison report Of the debates aud proceedings in the
Convention, find that Saturday. The 2lst July,
1857 the "len resolution giving the Executive qua
lifted veto requiring two THIRDS of each branch of the
Legislature TO override IT, was then agreed TO con-.
The Convention continued in session for nearly two
months after this 6ecision but far discover,
no member ever attempted to disturb this unanimous
| decision.
| A principle thus settled ought never 10 be rashly
assaled under the excitement Of disappointed feel
ings occasioned by the veto Of two fnvorite
sures at the Extra Session, which Senators had
fixed their hearts. There ought TO have been time
for passion to cool and reason to resume her en-
pre. know very well that the Senator from Ken.
lucky had announced his opposition The veto pow
er so far back as June, 1910, in his Hanover speech
but that speech may fairly be considered decara-
ton Of his ow individual opinion on this subject The
great Wing party adopted it OF the cardi-
nal articles of their faith, until, smarng under dsap-
pointment, they saw their two favorte measures Of
the Extra Session fall beneath this power. 1t then,
and not till then, that the resolution, in effect, to abo
sh il adopted by them party, in their mani.
feso. The present amendment proposes TO carry this
resolution into execution.
should rather rely upon the judgment of the Sc
nator from Kentucky any other question, than in
regard 10 the veto power. lie has suffered SO much
from lis exercise render it almost impossible that
he can be an impartial Judge History will record the
long and memorable struggle between himself and
distinguished tx President, now in retirement. This
common party strife. Their mighty shook
The whole Republic TO its centre. The swayed the
majority in both Houses Of Congress- whilst the other
was sustained by majority OF The people. Under The
lead of the one Congress passed bills TO establish
Bank Of the United States-to commence system Of
Internal lmproyen.entsand to distribute the proceeds
of the public lands among the several States--whlst
the other strong in his convictions OF Duty and strong
in his belief the, the voice of the sovereign people
would condemn these measures Of their representa-
tves, vetoed them every enc. And what was tie
suit: Without, upon the present occasion, express
ing an opinion any Of these questions, was it
not rendered manifest that the President elected by
The of the people, and directly responsible To
them for lis conduct, understood their will and their
wishes better than the majority in the Senate and
House of Representatives, No wonder then that
the Senator from Kentucky should detest The veto
power 1t ought never 10 be torn from its iounda
tons in the Constitution by the rash hands of poll
teal party mpelled the deed under the influence of
defeated hopes and disappointed ambition.
trust that shall be able TO prove that the Sc
nator from Kentucky has entirely mistaken the cha
racter of the veto power that in ITS origin and nature
is peculiarly Democratic; that in the qualified form
in which il exists in Constitution, it is but
appeal by tie President of the peoples choice from the
decision Of Congress 10 the people themselves; and
that whilst the exercise Of this power has done much
coed, il has been, and never can be- dangerous
10 the rights and liberties OF the people.
This is not arbitrary and monarchical power it
not "a nonarchca prrrogatve, il has been desg-
mated by the Senator. If II were, should 90 with him
heart and hand for its abolition. What is monarch
cal prerogatve? 1t is power vested in an emperor
king neither elected ny, responsible to- the pco-
pie, 10 maintain and preserve the privileges Of !,.s
throne. The veto power in the hands of such
reign has been exered, and will be
ed, except to arrest the progress Of popular liberty,
what he may term popular ercroachment. il is the
character Of the public agent whom this power ~
conferred, and not the nature OF the power itself,
which staTps it either as democratic arbitrary
In its c;i..n, we oil know TINT it purely demo.
cratic / lis existence TO q revolt Of The peo-
pie of Rome against the tyrannca DEGREES Of the
Senate. They retired ircm the city TO The Sacred
Mount, and dt Eianded the rights Of treemen. They
thus exor.cd from the aristocratic SeEa:e decree
authorizing thea annually TO elect ribunes of the PEG.
pie. On these trihunes conferred the power Of
anDung any Ge, ICE of the Senate, by simply pro-
nouncing the word "reto." This very power the
only one by means of which the Democracy of Rome
exercised any control the Government Of the Re-
public. Ii their only safeguard agains, the oppres-
sion sncroachmens of the arisocracy II is true
hat it did enable the people through their tribunes
10 originate laws; but tsavcd them from all laws Of the
Senate which encroached on their rights and liberties
Now, SIR, let me ask the Senator from Kentucky,
this arbitrary and monnrchca power? No, SIR;
1t was strictly Democratic. And ahy' Because il was
exercised y trbunes elected by the people and respon-
siLe annually to the people; and shall attem to
prove that The veto power, under Constitution,
of similar character.
Who is the President Of tie U S., By whom this
power is be exercised He is citizen elected by his
fellow. citizens TO The highest official trust in The
try, aud directly responsible TO them for The
which he shall discharge his duties From the manner
which he is elected, he mere nearly represents maj or-
" of The whole people Of The S. other branch
OF the Government Sir, nefUurih Of the people NAV
ee decided majority Of the Senate Under the Con-
s,tution, We are the representatives Of sovereign
States and little Delaware has en- equal voice in this
body with the Empire State. How is il in regard 10
the House OF Represe natives Without resort 10
the eerrymnnderpg process which, OF late years. has
become common, II may often happen, from the
rangrineDt Of the Congressional Districts that mi
nory Of the people of State viii elect a majority Of
Repr, seniatves TO Congress Not so in regard to tho
President Of the United Stats. From necessity he
must lc elected Ly the mass Of the people in the
veral States. He is The creature Of the people--he
mere breath of her nostnls--und him. the trl.
bune Of the people, have they conferred the veto
power.
Is there any serious danger that such a magistrate
will ever abuse this power What earthly inducement
he have TO pursue sncb cou!se: in the FIRST place,
during his first term, lie w necessarily feel anxious 10
obtain The stamp Of pubic approt alton his conduct,
by re election For this reason, if no other existed
he will no, array himself, by the exercise Of the veto
power against majority in both Houses Of Congress,
unless III extreme cases. where from strons convictions
of public duty, lie nay lie willing 10 draw down upon
himself lleir hostile influence.
In the second place, The Constitution leaves him
IN u state Of dependence Congress. Without their
support, no measure recommended by him become
law, and system of policy which he may have &c.
vsed be carried into execution. Deprived Of the
aid, lie can do nothing Upon their cordial coopcra-
ton the and glory Of this Administration must,
in great degree, depend Is it, them at all probable
that he would make upon Congress- by refusing 10
sanction any their avo:te measures unless he felt
deeply conscious that he acting in obedience TO
the will of the people, and could appeal to them for
support: Nothing short Of such conviction, unless
be to preserve his oath nvioa'e TO support the Con-
stitution will induce him to exercise power al
ways cdous in the eyes Of the majority in Congress,