The daily union., 1846-08-29
THE QUALIFIED vEro-No. !.

in which II originated, the bal for approprIatng one
million three hundred and eighty thousand dollars
and upwards, to the Improvement of harbors, rly-
srs &c, some Of the newspapers have applied, OPP
Drobously, the epithet Of "the one-man power
snd this is going the rounds.
Il is not my purpose to say anything In defence
of the message. IL stands selfsuffcient for It's own
defence. The argument Of the President Of the
United States demonstrating the want Of constitu.
tonal authority Of the Congress to make appTopria-
lions for the purposes designated n the bill, and the
alarming consequences of assuming by mere impli-
cation such substantive primary power, 10 written
with cOnsummate ability
Bot the covert attempt by such application Of the
nick name, "the one-man power" 10 eyade the
weight Of the argument TO bring the message into
odlum, and TO imPugn principle OF conservation
syoressly ordained by the constitution, should be
unmasked and exposed in its naked deformty to
The view Of the people.
The meaning couched under this name Of ''the
one-maa power" and inteAded TO be insnuated into
be minds Of the people, is that the President Of the
United States can by his solitary power, by his own
unasssted negative, put down bill which has been
passed by the Congress Of the United States.
Such absolute unqualified power OF prohibiting
the legislation Of the Congress does not belong to
the President Of the United States.
Those who publish the inuendo Of "the one-man
mower know that the President has not absolute
ugauaed veto upon the legislation Of the Congress
From such men, protesting TO have great concern
for the welfare Of the people, to be conservators OF
correct principles, and to DC guardians OF the con
.tituon we had right to expect better things than
scattering among the people ambiguous words Sc
lected to convey falsehood, and excite senseless
clamors and tumultuous cries
The constitution Of the United States, among VA
rous provisions intended to guard against the exer
else OF powers not delegated, and improper legisa-
uon by the Congress, ordains the following: EVERY
- al X. u kali has tka n4aaa Af
sentatiyes and the Senate shall, before It become
aw, be presented to the President of the United
States; If he approve, he shall sign II; but u not,
he shall return IT, with his objections, 10 that House
10 which it shall have originated, who shall enter
the objections at large on their Journal and proceed
to reconsider IT, IT, after such reconsideration, two
thirds Of that house shall agree to pass the BILL u
shall be SENT together with the objections, to the
other house. by which it shall likewise be reeonsid-
cred; and if approved by two-thirds Of that house,
il shall become law. But in all such cases, the
votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas
and nays, and the names Of the persons voting for
and against the bill shall be entered on the journal
Of each house respectively Ifany bill shall not be
returned by the President within ten days Sundays
excepted) after il shall have been presented to him,
the same shall be law in like manner as II he had
sgned il, unless the Congress by their adjournment
prevent its return, in which case Il shall not be
law"
"Every order, resolution, or vote, To which the
concurrence Of the Senate and House Of Representa-
yes may be necessary, Except on question OF adj
ourpmen shall be presented to the President Of the
United States; and before the same shall take effect
shall be approved by him, or being dlsapproved by
him shall be repassed by two-thirds Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives, according to the
rules and limitations prescribed in the case of
billr
Such are the provisions Of the constitution. The
refusal Of the President of the United States to sign
a BILL order or resolution produces reconsideration
by the Congress but is Of farther avail unless his
objections shall be sustained by the vote of at least
one-third Of the the other house Of the Con-
gress unless the Congress by their own act Of ad
ioumment prevent the return.
What is there in this provision Of the constitution
10 Justify the nuendo that there is absolute pow
er to stop legislation vested in one MANI The inu-
endo and scott intended by applying to this power,
given to the President by the constitution, the APP
pellation of "the one-man power" is uncandid,
vicious ard unjust ... .....
This provision, which requires the approval Of
the President, in of his disapprova, the re-
consideration Of every BILL order, resolution, and
the agreement of two-thirds Of the Senate and
House of Representatives to pass it. the Presidents
objections Notwithstanding, underwent the serious
examination of those patriots and eminenty
wise and virtuous men who framed the fed
eral constitution and recommended 1t for adoption
by conventions chosen for that purpose by the
States respectively. Before the election Of members
Of the several State conventions this provision was
brought distinctly to the notice Of the people by the
celebrated letters signed "Pubus." IL was again
re-examned by the several and respective State con-
ventions, all approving and adopting this provision
In those early seasons of virtue, men, led by the
impulse of generous spirit to consult their coun-
try's good soaring above the motives Of selfish am
bition and the vices Of envy and ayarce Influenced
opl, A,x. Aas,ra ttn fnrpn mar nj
of the States, establish justice, insure domestic tran
qullty, provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare, and secure the blessings of lib
erty") framed and adopted the federal constitution.
As one of the means necessary and proper to attain
those ends, this participation of the President OF the
United States in the legislative power; this quaihca-
ton to the power of bare majority of the two hous-
of the Congress- this requsition of twothirds of
each house to pass bill against the objections Of the
President of the United States was engrafted into
the constitution.
1t has stood the test of scrutiny and of expert
ence; and remains as yet unassalled by any proposal
from the Congress, the States, to modify or abo
ish it.
This provision is wholesome, necessary, and
proper
Asa preventive against improvident and improper
legislation;
To protect the smaller States against the over
weening power and influence of the larger;
To prevent the legislative department from en-
croachng upon the powers of the executive depart
men
To check the usurpation by the Congress of the
powers not delegated, but reserved to the States or
to the people;
To protect the rights ofthe minority from the ag-
gressons Of an unscrupulous majority;
To defend the constitution itself; and
To preserve the integrity Of the Union
The reasons conducting to show the truth Of those
propositions, drawn from the history Of former gov
enmens; from all experience as to the evil tenden-
ces Of governments; from the known disposition of
the rulers in all ages TO accumulate power to them
selves, and to oppress the people, are abundanny
sufficient to secure the reverence ofthe sober. mind
ed orderly people Of the United States for this pro-
vision Of the constitution, and to unite them in sui
cent concord to defend from the nsidious snares
or ropen assaults of private ambition, selfish dema-
gogues, feyersh partsans, and the fury of faction.
MINOS.
For the Union
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATES.
Extract from letter from Lieut.. Emmons, dated