The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-12


thousand copies of this manifesto ordered be print
ed and circulated among the people of the United States
This appeal TO the people, sir, was vain one. The
avowa OF their principles destroyed them The people did
not The Never there more d ,a srou,
defeat than theirs the last fall elections immeda tey
heir triumphant victory Thank Heaven the peo-
pie have thus far responded to this appeal and
they may consent TO abolish the power. Sir
guage of doughty Barons OF England ago,
willing that the charter of their liberties shall be
the most eectua safeguards of the Unon and the
carrying into effect the will OF the people
Sir in regard this power, it present exists
the convention which framed the constitution although
much divided other SUBJECTS were unanimous. Il Is
that in the earlier stages OF their proceedings, was
considerably discussed and presented ia different aspects
Some members were IN favor OF AN absolute yeio and 9th
opposed any veto, however qualified but they
at length unanimously adopted the happy mean, and
framed the article as now stands IN the constitution Ac
cordng Mr. Madisons report OF the debates and pro
ceedings in the convention, find that Saturday the
2ls July, 1887 the tenth resolution, giving the Executive
qualified veto requiring two thirds OF each branch oil tue
legislature TO override IT, then agreed TO "en' con-
The convention continued IN session for nearly two months
after this decision; but SO lar as discover, no mem
Der attempted to disturb this decision
principle thus settled ought 10 be rashly assaled
under the excitement OF disappointed Tee ngs accustomed by
the veto of two iavoe measures al the extra session, on
which senators had fixed their hearts There ought to have
been time for passion cool and her
pre. know very well that the senator from Kentucky
had announced his opposition the veto power far back
June 1910, in his Hanover speech but speech may
fairly be considered as declaration Of his own individual
opinion this subject The great wing party never adopt
ed OF the cardinal articles OF their faith until
smatng under DISAPPOINTMENT they saw their two iayoie
them and till then, that the resolution, in effect to
bs as W ne this
luton into execution
trust now that shall be able provo that the senator
from Kentucky has entirely mistaken the character of the
demaca,ic that in The 9uaed form in Which exists IL
our constitution II is but mere appeal by The President
people themselves and that, whilst the exercise of this
power has done much good il has been and never
Thsis moi ian arbitrary and monachicaI power" 1t is
not "a monarchca prerogative, as 1t has been desgna
and hand for It's abolition whas is monarchoa pre-
rogave Il is power vested in an Emperor or King,
and @ privileges Of his The
power in the hands OF such has been
croachment is the character of the public agent on
power ITSELF which stamps it either democratic arb
tray In its origin, we all know that purely demo
Rome against the yrannical DEGREES the Senate They
retired from the city TO the Sacred Mount and demanded
cratic Senate decree authorizing them annually elect
tribunes of the people On uibunes conferred
pronouncine the word .psto This very bower was 1he
only by means of which the democracy of Rome
their only safeguard against oppression and
cmachmens of the aristocracy 1t is true that it did
bat it saved them from all laws of the Senate which
croached on their rights and liberties.
NOW, sir, let ask the from Kentucky this
an arbitrary and monarchical power! No, sir; it was
strictly democratic And why Because exercised
the people and Shall now attempt 70 prove that the
veto power under constitution. is OF similar charac
ter.
Who is the President of the United States, by whom this
power is to be exercised He is Citizen elected by his
fellow czens the highest official in the country,
he shall discharge his duties From the in which
he ason he a inc more sa nn of the
the government. Sir onefourh OF the people may elect
decided majority ofthe Senate Under the constitution,
has an equal voice in this body with the Empire State
How is in regard to the House of Represenatives With
out resort to the gerymandering process, which, OF late
years. has become SO common, may often happen from
the az gen enan Of the districts that mi
resentaves to Congress Not in regard the resident
By the the s e b
creature Of the peoe-he mere breath of their nostris
red the veto power.
Is there any serious danger that such magistrate will
ever abuse this powera What earthly inducement he
have to pursue such course In the first place, during
his first ter he will necessarily feel anxious obtain the
% mo ohe m % 1y
el by the exercise of the power against majority
from strong convictions of public duty, he may be willing
to draw down upon himself their hostile influence.
In the second place. the constitution leaves him in
recommended BY him can become law, and no
system OF policy which he may have devised be
red into execution Deprived of their aid he can do moth
ing Upon their cordial CO operation the and glory
OF his administration must in degree depend. l.
it, then, at all probable that he would make upon Con-
gress by refusing to sanction any of their vorte
ures, unless he felt deeply conscious that he acting
obedience to the will OF the people, and could appeal
them for support! Nothing short of such conviction,
less be to his oath nvioate support the
stutoD will induce him exercise power always
odous in the eyes OF the majority in Congress- against which
il is exerted.
Bnt there is still another powerful influence which will
prevent his abuse OF the veto The who has
been elevated by his eowcitizens the highest office of
trust and dignity which great nation bestow, must
necessarily feel strong desire have his recorded
in untarnsed characters the page of his coun;ys hsto
and to live after death in the hearts of his
En- What Is posthumous fame in almost instance
Is not the voice OF postery reechong the opinion of the
present generation And what body the earth give
SO powerful impulse to public opinion least in this
country, the Congress OF the United States Under all
these circumstances must admit that opinion
pressed by the Federalist is sound and that evident
that there would be greater danger OF his using his
power when necessary than OF his uang often
much Such must also have been Mr. Jeerson's opinion
When consulted by General Washington in April 1892,
as to the proprey of vetong he for appoonment
the fret enumeration" what his first favor
oil the exercise OF this power that occasion View
ing the BILL says he eiiher violation of the
uton or as giving announcement exposition to its WORDS
negative p g think it is" "The of his negative
begins already excite belief that President
will ever venture TO and consequently has begotten
desire to raise up barriers in the State Legislatures against
shall read the other he has assigned
them being necessary for my present purpose Peous,
indeed, repeat IS the exercise of the power and
strongest of duty and the strongest conviction that
1t will receive the public appreciation
But, after all, what is the nature of this qualified
under the constitution 1t is in fact but appeal
by the President from the decision Of Congress- in
nlOftI