Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-11
The Executive Veto and Mr. Clayton's
Speech.

cpetch'
We present to our readers this week, with
real satisfaction, part of speech recently deliv
cred by Hon. John NJ Clayton, Of Delaware, In
the Senate of the United States, upon the FIX
ecntiye veto.
II is by far the ablcst speech on that subject
that we have read 1t embraces and clucidatcs
the whole argument and places the question in
It's true light; and taken in connection with the
letter Of Mr. Phelps, Published last week, leaves
nothing to be said
We regard the veto power, claimed by the
Democratic party, to be emphaticaly the great
principle IN issue between the Wlei and their
opponents In our judgment, it involves no less
question: than whether the President shall be
able to control the legislation of the Union, and
he invested with absolute power. II Is ques-
ton, therefore, which rises superior to the ord-
nary questions Of domestic policy that divide
pariies--it goes to the organic structure of the
government and 10 the constitutional character
of one of its departments.
We beg Of every reader Of this paper to read
the speech of Mr. Clayton-rcad it for its rare
beauty simplicity and purity of style and Ian
guagc-rcad il for the clear, irresistible logic it
employs You cannot fail to be interested, in
struc,ed and convinced. We have the greater
desire that it should be read and understood, be-
cause it discusses a subject upon which the Wing
and Democratic Presidential candidates are com.
Jleteiy antogonisficai and because il involves aud
disposes of many other questions at issue between
the parties.
For instance--if Gen Taylor is correct in
saying that the Executive veto should be applied
only in eases, Of clear violation of the Consttu-
ton on points not settled, OF Oh manifest haste
and omission by Congress, then the utter inpro-
priety of calling for the opinion Of candidate
for the Presidency, on little questions of domcs-
tic policy, is at once shown. OF what use is it
to inquire of Presidential candidate, how high
tariff, in bis opinion, should be imposed on
non, on tea and coffee, on woolens and all the
other articles Of merchandise, when such matters
do not lay within the sphere of his duties? His
duty, be would tell you, is not 10 make, but to
execute the laws, and that such questions should
be addressed to member Of Congress
! This is Gen. Taslor's opinion, and therefore
he says, that upon the tariff, the currency, and
other questions Of domestic policy he shall not
interfere, or impede the Legislation Of Congress
Gen Cas-, on the contrary, believes it to be
his duty to veto all laws which he does not APP
prove, and as by the Constitution, no law can
be enacted without his approval, unless by ma
jorty Of two-thir,h OF both Houses Of Congress,
it follows that his objections override and defea,
the will of any thing less than tIco,tlirds Of all
the electors Of the United States.
The question is, are the people ,viiling to in
vest the President of the United States with all
this immense power? Are they willing that he
should have the power forever to defeat the will
OF majority OF their representatives?
Who is the President, that he should be wiser
and better than majority Of the representatives
OF three millions Of eiee'orsf How did he &C.
qnire his mighty wisdom and iniallbility? jane.
n Folk as member Of the House Of Repre-
sen'a'nes' yesterday had an opinion and vote
just equal TO any one OF his $50 associate mem
De"-'o-uay' Dy the aecidency OF party, be !;
rres'eh'o' 'ne ohHeh states. lie has the same
nsa'e' inc same 'ace ana head' and the same in
"''e''' pu' Deho'd 'he ehange--the magic touch
vi the rres'uehusl CLOAK has made his vote and
power now equal TO oIse hundred and ninety.toH
Of his equals and associates of Yesterday. We
believe As I,,lc in N. :. d;y;,e ,;,A,. .nd ;nc.,
hn;,,. 81 p.o.;,".,. =. e - '-''1
O'n! u i'es'aens' As we 90 OF hihg'' anu &c
neither are re disposed to give the power to de
feat the will Of a majority of the people.
We call attention IN tho s;gn;6c,n, fac, ,lo
AIo,.nd.r Ua,oa,nn a. - -
iAAH"'o", 'ne iAi"er Oh Federalism
the father Of the veto clause in our Constitution