The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-19


Mr.. Clay says, of the Veto, 1t was known to all
to aveorignated in the trbunition power in ancient
Rome; that it was seized upon and perverted to
purposes of ambition when the empire was estab-
lished under Augustus; and that it had not been
finally abolished until the reign of Constantine" SC,
" during the memorable period of the French reyou-
ton, when new Constitution was under considera-
ton, this subject of the Veto power had been largely
discussed, had and agtated the whole country. Eve
ry must recollect how it had been turned against
the unfortunate Louis XIV, who had been held up to
the ridrule of the populace, under the title of
g Monsieur Veto," his wife, the Queen, had been
called Madame Veto"
Mr.. Clay continues: Fifty years had now
elapsed since the Federal Constitution was formed,
and it was derogation from the wisdom and pa
triotism of the venerable men who framed it, now
to say the work of their hands, though perfect as
ever had proceeded from human hands, was never
lheless not absolutely so; because that what
thing that sprang from had ever been" Iquote
the following from article which recently appeared
in the Washington Globe:
"These wise, virtuous, and patriotic men (the fra
mers Of the Constitution) imbued with the prin-
ciples of Locke and Algernon Sidney, and knew full
we'll that whenever power is vested, matter where
whether in one man or one body, without CORES
bonding check in some other quarter, it amounts to
despoism. Whether it be executive, legislative or
judicial, makes little difference If under no
contlo and subject to check, it will as fate,
degenerate into tyranny, by whatever name 1t may be
called All history is full of examples. The Demo.
crazy of Athens was tyrannical, because 1t had no.
thing control its excesses the Senate of Rome, du-
ring h period of its supremacy, was equally 80, until
n n established check
excessS; the Parliament of England, which de-
thronet Charles the Fist and annihilaed the House
of Lors, committed equal outrages the laws with
those which they had taken against the King to
! arrest and the national convention of the French
Revolution, having counteracting influence to res
train i, committed the enormous excesses which
brough liberty itself, for tme into disrepute and
made nltions almost afraid TO be free. So with the
Senatepf Venice, whose Duke Is mere pageant, the
nominal head the creation and the creature OF the Sc
nate without voice in debate, airy agency in &C
| ton. a more despotc power, more revolving des-
posm never existed III Europe in any age, either an
Gent 81 modern 1t is Of little consequence whether
the sole exercise of authority is derived from popular
elections, hereditary right if it is left unrestrained
by cotnterbalancing power, or by some constitution
al provi|lon."
| Nowit is not necessary TO ask philosopher to un-
rave tous what "Harry of the Vest intends to die
tate, II e can, namely, that your Exceency is to live
as longas possible in the shortest possible me ridere
Hcet aslong as zone term" will let you 1t is very
easy to fave this subject and utter fine sentiments
and abs ract trusms, but the world is not governed
by fine sentiments, uttered by blind enthusiasts and
radicals or hoodwinked by the intolerant demagogue
the latter Of whom is destined to behold the fair
est works of his hands, the fond visions of his
dreams, crunbIe into ruins, and sink in gurgite rastu
from his visv
"Harry If the West" will find it necessary to wor-
ship at another shrine before he can convince the
people of this country that they and the sage of Mon
ticeo lave been ignorant Of the great principles OF
government, which will render us free, prosperous,
and happy; and that the great political admiral and
pseu dictator, with his sapent coadjutors alone UNI
derstnd the principles of repubcanism, and what is
necesery to secure the true of national great
ness Ind glory.
Thy say that all the bright hopes, the glory gain
ed by the last election, the liberty and happiness that
was have been perpettated by the dslodgement OF
the Ate dynasty have been, at one fell swoop, UNI
GRATEFULLY treacherously! tratoriousy ~ forced
from them and that Captain Tyler" is the man, the
ungateful, treacherous traitor" that has done all
this. What Vetoed the darling bank project Has
+ appropriate this mighty Republic to themselves in
he simple fee TAIL and for ever' Yes, sir, you have
Zone the business knocked their beautiful fabric to
toms The lamentations of these upon their sudden
and most dreadful Illustration, present most melan-
toly catastrophe indeed truly hearrending; sncethe
days of Jeremiah nothing like it has happened They
threaten to sacrifice you for the benefit of 'NATIoN
AL DELIvERANcE," and assert that there is ''nne"
under you; and "wam you of Belshazzars fate o-
Your Excellency has been charged with want of
consistency for not approving measure the inven-
ton of an oligarchy, monopolizing scheme calcu-
lated to draw the Government into evil doings, to
subvert and enthrall the country within the DONNA
ton of monopollsts and tyrantsfor not placing the
Treasury of the People in irresponsible hands. Truly
YOU could not have done otherwise than you did, to
preserve the rights of the nation and your own nteg
rity Your two Vetoes will be held in grateful re-
membrance by your countrymen. Why, sir, it stands
to reason that you should have defeated the scheme
Can it be honestly denied that you, long ago, made
an able report against National Bank 1t is not
forgotten that you have eloquently-4whllst In the
Senate-opposed such an institution, and before the
Presidential election Of 1910, your letter from
Henrico was published to the world, and the
independent voters were not ignorant of your
opinions and sentiments, when they voted for you
1t was well known that you anti Bank
General Harrison assured the Wings that he
was willing to favor National Bank, and all they
could get him say (no pledge, be it remembered,
did he make, was, that i necessity required IT, and
Congress would pass such bill, he would approve
it," This was General Harrison's position forced
upon him. But, Sir, you never bound yourself to
act inconsistency with yourself in opposition to your
con cience and in violation your oath. You have,
therefore, only vetoed unconstitutional project.
(To be concluded tomorrow