Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-12-12
SPEECH OF Mr.. WEBSTER.
[cosc1uDrD FROM oun PAPER OF SATURDAY LAST

tons of the country. and pass consideration of
the subjects connected with bearing or intending
bear upon the internal and domestic interests OF these
is just Importance and connected with which hundreds
and thousands Of individuals have been made-sha Isay =
the victims Of the exercise of the power speak of the
harbor bill and of the bill making indemnity for French de-
pedaons commerce before 1900. There is gentle-
men, clear veto power in the Constitution of the United
States There express provision that the President of
the United States may withhold his appreciation, if he see fit
from law Of Congress and unless after stated by
him for withholding his appreciation, shall be passed by
thirds Of both Houses it fails Of legal validity, and becomes
dead letter.
This in common DISCOURSE call the veto power: some
thing like existed in ancient Rome but the trainers of
constitution borrowed il from England and then qualified it.
BY the Constitution of England theoretically exists abso
utey in the monarch without qualification The trainers of
our constitution in placing in the hands of the President
qualified that if upon reconsideration Of the
sure two-thrds of both Houses concurred in it, the bill
should become law, the Presidents negative nowh-
standing.
In England the power the Crown negative acts Of Par
lament has not been exercised since the reign Of William Ill
nearly two hundred and has been generally said
that the that that period such has been the
of the British Government in its administration that
the influence Of the Crown, in both Houses of Paa
ment connected with the power which the Crown
of dsovng Parliament has been sufficient to prevent the
passage of bills with which the Crown was not satisfied with
to the exercise Of the obnoxious power
Modern commentators say that influence in this respect has
taken the place Of prerogave The King his influence,
but actually negatives bills presented TO him. As
have said constitution places the power the hands of
the Executive in qualified 1t is good unless two
thirds of the Houses in the Well rather
singular result has happened
will mpute to Congress any time, to members
Of any Administration any liability improper influence !;
certainly not. But suppose all will admit that frequently,
and especially in party times party connexions perhaps some
little hope of Office desire benefit friends out of Con-
gress. may soften opposition particular parti
cular mems minds and produce something which, we
would talk straight out might call " undue influence.
Laughter Il has happened, and we are curious in such
researches TO fix the chronology OF might find
instances very remote in which persons still members of
Congress- but who had failed in their reelection,
pretty of falling have concued in certain measures and
them not being longer called their country in the
halls of Congress- and particularly unwilling that the country
should lose their whole services have condescended take
Office. Roas of laughter and cheers Therefore the result
in the practical administration of our Government be
this degree OF influence extended sufficient induce
third TO with the sentiments of the Administration,
and then the President by his veto, overwhems the other
two-thirds that the purpose be To defeat
passed by maores of both Houses of Congress- if influence
viii and do onehird of the work, the ready
Nto do the rest Laughter and cheers.
The first object of the Presidential last
nected with what called internal improvements though
very strictly caled-the harbor BILL confess feeling of
great interest in that BILL Seeing nothing in it, thought
but such things Gen Jacksons administration had approx
ed and Mr. Van Burens administration had approved
and again, had apprehension that the Presi
den, of the United would that bill than that he
would ordinary bill for the support of the army and
navy was much surprised when il announced that
probably he would that bill if had been stated
that he would veto bill necessary carry the Govern
ment But the veto did come. Now, gentlemen, that bill
made appropriation Of million three hundred thousand
dollars for certain harbor improvements the ocean, gulf
lakes and great and important navigabe rivers of the
ya work peace of Improvement, OF national progress
something carry forward in convenience and prosperity
in the acquisition of wealth something make permanent
fixtures in the land that should do good and all pos
terity forever.
That was its object. The appropriation small The
particular objects somewhat The amount
burden at all upon the easury-in connexion with
lis Objects not worth considering. And yet here the
veto Well, now, what is TO be done We cannot shut
eyes TO what is around Here This vast
ceuntry-wth the the and the gulf on the
SOUTH and the great lakes the north and the and
these rivers penetrating the west Well what
10 do Is it not OF all countries the world, that for
which Nature has done mighty things and yet calls most
loudly for to do more Loud cheers
Providence has given country capable of improvement
II is perfected called do something for
sevesto wake up this day Of peace and do the deeds
that belong peace-to facilitate internal fur
nsh harbors for the protection of life and propefyto clear
up the rise-to do every thing, all and singular which
large and liberal policy will stimulate intelligent people
with abundance Of do for the general advancement
of the national prosperity lGreat applause We live in
gentlemen, when not to shut eyes the great
examples all the Eastern continent I mean the
European continent do speak Of England where p
enterprise and wealth have gone ahead But
10 Russiat, Prusato Saxony-to Sardinia every where
spirit Of improvement behold mountains pene-
ate1 by railroads.&c. harbors thing
by Government for the people, which in the OF the
the people cannot do for themselves Loud cheers.
This noble and extraordinary stream, with eight
millions people its banks absolutely calls for harbors-f1r
clearing outo the removal Of snags and other obstacles
safe navigation. Who Is to do it Will any one Of the
States do Can all Of the States do it Is the appro-
pirate duty OF any State any number of States Mono
know is not We know that unless this Government
be placed in the hands of who feel that is their
uona authority and duty make these improvements they
will be made and the the Mississippi will roll
snsgs, and snags, and snags for century
Great cheering
These improvements must from the Government of
the United States, in the nature of things they
at all and say that every that is lost by one
Of these snags every life that sacrificed goes to make up
great account against this Government. Applause Why
whata world is there What great cities on its banks
Cincinnati, New Orleans ST. Louis Louisville Natchez
and others that spring up while talking them or
indeed before we begin 10 speak ofthemcommercia
great places for the exchange of commodesaIong these
rivers, which many inland it And what
the General Government authority them power
Of improvement Why, that would be thought the
credible thing hereafter.
II would not be believed that il had entered into the
head Of any Administration that these objects
ing the and attention of the Government think there
FORE that the harbor bill negaved by the President raises
vital question Il put in Congress-it has been put
snce-It was put at the pols-T put be the ques-
ton, whether