Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-06-14
THE, VETO POWER.
HENRY CLAY

ust restra INT on the Executive power, cm-
bracing further restrictions on the veto. Is of
tho acknowledged principles of tho Wing party.
The abuse OF that power conferred by
the constitution, has awakened tho people OF tins
country to the necessity Of amending the Consti-
tuition, at proper time, to the
prcmacy of tho will Of tho people, when clearly
expressed, over the dcta,on of one man, though
he be clothed in Executive robes. Ths govern
men. was established upon the Democratic prin-
ciplo that the people capable Of self govern
mcnt, and i is at least doubtful whether tic franz
crs Of our Constitution intended tia: iAc matter
Of mere cxp3dioncy' il tho mere opinion of tho
Executive should be legitimate object upon
which to use the arbitrary power Of tho veto.--
Upon papab!o violations Of tho Constitution, made
BY hasty legislation, it is vol and proper, that
tho Executive in tho cool retirement OF his Cabi-
net should examine with doliberation the bills sub
mittad to him for his approval or rejection. and
that no should express his approval By signing
them, or his negative opinion by returning them
to tho House in which said bills originated with
bis reasons therefor. His opinion thus carefully
formed should have lis full weight with the NOM
bers Of Congress, and they should be required to
their opinion by a vote. If the bill should again
pass it should become the law of the land. This
would limit the Presidents po,vor to a moro VOTE
instead Of the dospotic fat-' FORBID
which is tho literal meaning of the word VETO
What is there in tho Office Of President which
should clothe the Executive with such superior
judgment, great wisdom, and supcrlatiyo sayacity
10 be better able to legisiatc for the people, or
know their will than the ma lorty of the mcm-
bors of Congress, elected fresh from tho sover-
oigns II is true, an occasional member Of Con-
gress may iDisrepresent the VIII Of his constu-
ents as IN the case of Kennedy, whilst mem
Der from this district but it is TO be hoped such
circumstances will but seldom occur. Had Ken
nedy again been presented to this district as a
candidate he would have been condemned for his
betrayal of the trust confJod to him, and a man
placed in his stead who would have oboyed the
viii Of his constituents. In tho case Of IIanne-
gan and White, our Senator'S, no man with
common share of honesty will pretend that tho
former has faithfully voted the will Of his con-
stituents. No unprejudiced man, except he be
extremely ignorant, believes that a minority of
the people Of this STATIC opposed to tariff, to
a Bank. to Distribution, and the other principles
of the Wing party.
Is it not somewhat singular in this our day,
when certain portion Of our fellow Citizens,
claiming for themselves exclusively the name
Of Democrats, should be found contending against
the Wings who they dcnounce as federalists, to
sustain in the hands Of the President power
which was borrowed from tho governments Of
European despotism-a power which, although
possessed by the King of England, he has not
DARED to exercise for moro than hundred years,