Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-03-04
THE VETO.

Act TO provide for the election Of Representatives
of the people OF this State in the Congress Of the
United States" to the House of Representatives,
in which il originated, without my appreciation.
This regret is increased by the consideration that
have already interposed to arrest the passage of
hill for the same purpose and in many respects
substantially the same as the present. But un.
pleasant as it is, cannot yield my assent to the
passage of this b bearing on its face such glaring
objections. Ibeg leave to call your attention to my
message of the 9Th of January last, returning the
former bill, entitled can Ac, TO divide the State
into Congressional districts for the election of Re-
presentatives in the Congress ofthe United States"
for The groundwork of several strong objections to
the bill now before me. These objectionable fea.
lures not having been changed they operate as po.
'ently against the present they did against the
former bill.
Among them will briefly refer to the disparity
between the numbers in some the districts. The
eighteenth, for instance embraces a population of
52,s2l-while the tenth has s9,203. Here is a
difference Of upwards Of thriy-six thousand being
more than half the proper ratio for a member of
Congress Exact equality ofnumbers is of course
unattainable in the respective districts but dis
parity, SO great this amounts TO positive viola
ton Of the fundamental principle of representative
government. If the principle be recognized that
one district with less than two.thirds of the popu-
lation of another, shall be entitled to equal re-
presentation, there is no limits to the injustice.
l. J;,C..
chised, and tyranny of the most odious kind, un.
der the euise ofllw, established. | cannot assent
TO the recognition Of SO monstrous principle.
Another leading objection, which itself would be
abundontly sufficient to induce me to Withhold my
sanction from this bill, is its obvious tendency to
transfer the ascendency in the national councils 10
the minority in the State. say nothing impugn-
ing the motives Of those who originated and sup
pored this bill but person, in the least degree
conversant with the political condition of Pensyl-
s,nia can shut his eyes to the fact that the politi-
cal party VIGOROUSLY in the minsrty would under
the provisions of this bill elect an equal number Of
members of Congress with the admitted majority,
or at least within one or two Of an equality. This
is wrong it is an abuse Of power, neither called
for nor justified by any reason that can discover.
The constitution of the United States does not,
il is true, recognize the existence of political par
ties, hut they are inherent in the very nature Of
olr government, and will as certainly exist as the
government itself. The provision coniiding to the
states the designation Of districts for the election of
members of the House of Representative of the ma
,ional government was intended to give to the res.
yective states the po of suting the arrangement
Of the districts to the condition of phrties-ond Of
course, 10 the interests and convenience of the
states.
| have been taught from my boyhooi that the
safety and stability of our government depended
IN great measure on the ascendency Of the great
principles of human rights-for which the demo-
cratic p,ry has steadfastIy con,ended since the po-
liilcal revolution of 1900.
believe those principles lie a, the foundation Of
our free institutions, and that whenever they are
i"finged, those institutions are endangered.
would feel unwilling TO entvns, the defence of those
principles to such champions would be probably
elected were this bill to become law. Give the
minority their full representation deprive them
not Of single vote, hut let not the whole control
lie surrendered into their hands. II may I've pos.
sIbe that many Of the great measures Of policy
which have been the peculiar boas, Of the emocra-
cy Of the country, will owe their triumph or defea,
to the delegation from Pennsy lvsnia. II may he
possible also, that the election Of President of
the United States will depend the same vote
and in view Of these probable possible contingen.
ceF, do those who believe that the political pnci-
lles of the democratic party are essential to the
public good, discharge their duty faithfully by al
lowing their opponents to usurp the places, which
IN justice belong only 10 them,evesi
lpresune not 10 dictate TO others, but cannot
refrain from speaking and jsdging for myself
I'VE ba,led too long in the ranks Of democracy TO
see its standard struck down, without lifting nv
frm TO avert il. Where to do so, should feel
that had betrayed the trust reposed in me by the
democracy Of Pennsylvania and was unwortny of
l's respect and confidence. Ny political career is
drawing TO a close, aud will not suIly it, by the
open or covert abandonment OF the rights Of nv
democratic fellow citizens.
DAVID n. PORTER.
ExEcuTIvr CuAMnrR,
Harrisburg Fe6. 2l, ls43.