Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-12-26

ST. - 80 AouS ~ASpLCSCutdtlfCS, SuCu Soo
assemblies, Senates, governors in their
several States, and House of Representa-
stives, Senate aud President of the Unit.
ed States. The people can by their own
direct agency make no laws, nor can the
House of Representatives Immediately
elected by them--nor can the Senate;
nor can both toge,her, without the con.
currence Of the President or vote OF
two thirds Of both houses. --..-1---.-,---,-.-
/, Happily. for themselves, the people in
forming our admirable system ofgovern-
mcnt, were conscious of the infrmity OF
their representatives, and delegating to
them the legislature, they have fenced
them round with checks to guard against
the defect Of hasty action, of error Of
combination, or if possible, corruption
Error, selfshness, and faction, have of:
ten sought to rend assunder this best oil
checks, and subject the Government 10
the control Of fanatics and sinister inhu-
ence; but their efforts have only satisfied
the people Of the wisdom of the checks
which they have imposed; and the neces.
sity ofpreserving them unimpaired.
The true theory of our system is not
to govern by the tactics or degrees ANY
one-self-representative. The constitution
imposes checks under all branches Of the
government, in order to give time for er-
ror to be corrected, and delusion to pass
away. But after the people settle down
in firm conviction, different from that
Of their representatives, they give weight
to their opinions by changing the public
servants. In their adoption Of the con-
stitution, are the best evidences Of Their ca
pacity for seIf-government; they knew
that the men whom they elected to office
are of like infrmities and passions with
themselves, and not to be trusted without
being restricted by coordinate authori-
ties. Who that has witnessed the legis-
lation Of Congress for the laut thirty
years, will say that he knows Of no in
stance in which measures demanded the
public good have not been carried? Who
will deny that in the state Governments,
oy comblnatsnn:s Of individuals and sec
Tons, in derogation of general interests,
banks have been chartered, and systems
of internal improvements have been sug-
gested, retarding their growth, and inn
pairing their energies for years to come !?
After so much experience, it cannot be
said that absolute. unchecked power, is
safe in the hands Of any one set Of repre-
sentatives, or that the capacity Of the
people for self-government, which is ad-
mitted in its broadest sense, is conclu-
sive argument to prove the prudence,
wisdom and integrity of ,hei. represent
tatives.
The people, by there consent, coinman-
ded the President, as much as they have
the legislative branch of the
government execute their will. They
have said TO him in their constitution that
hey require he shall take a solemn oath
o support, elf Congess pass any bill which
'e shall not approve, he shall return it
o the House in which it shall have orig
ted, with his objections thereto" In with
'oldlng from it his approval and signature
he is executing the will of the people, as
much as the Congress which passed it.
No bill is presumed to be in ~a7s - So
With the xpenn}a4 will untu-ft sna1II have
ID O. ~ nIogh the hands Of he govern.
,'o"', requisite to make i. law. A bill
passed by the House may be rejected by
he Senate, and one passed by the Senate
nay be rejected by the House exercise
he veto power on the other.
Congress, and each House Of CONFESS
,old under the constitution check upon
he President, and he by power Of the
qualified veto acheck upon Congress.
When the President recommends measu.
res to Congress, he avows in the most so.
lemn form his opinions, gives his voice iu
their faver and pledge himself in advance
TO approve themif passed by Congress.
! he acts without due consideration, or
has been influenced by improper or COR
rupt motivss-or if from any other cause
Congress, or either House Of Congress
shall differ with him, they exercise their
veto upon his recommendations and reject
them, and there is no appeal from their
decision but the people at the ballot box.
These are proper checks: none will be
found to object to them, or to wish them
abolishnd. 1t is equally important that
the constitutional cheeks of the Executive
upon the Legislative branch should be pre-
served
If it be said that the Representatives
in the popular branch are chosen directly
by the people, it is answered, the people
elect the President. If both Houses, rep
resent the State and the people so does the
President. The President represents, in
the Executive Department, the whole pee
pie of the United States, as each member
if the Legislative Department represents
the portion Of them. .-..a
The doctrine Of restriction under Leg
isIative and restrictive power, while we'll
settled public opinion is enabled within
a reasonable time 10 accomplish its ends,
has made our country what it is, and has
opened to US career of glory and hap
piness to which all other nations are stran.
gers. s...s.a.. ao z... ..r .. ...,sst
In the exercise Of this power the Pres
ident is responsible, not only to enlight-
ened public opinion, but to the people Of
ho nitoI tot &c Ill