Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-01
The Veto.

We give the Worcester Spy the full benefit
Of his answer to a question put to him. Il
proves that whatever else he may be, he is not
a Wing If there is any one doctrine, upon
which the Wing and Democratic parties are d.
rectly, and irreconcilably opposed, it is the Veto
power. The Democrats contend for the literal
reading of the Constitution, and hold that the
clause which authorizes the President, il he does
not approve, to return all bills, with his obiec-
tons, justifes him in using the veto in all cases,
where he differs in opinion with Congress; the
Wings, on the contrary, hold that the spirit and
true reading of the Constitution, confines the
veto TO clear cases Of violation OF the Consttu-
ton, or of palpable inadvertence, and unn,en.
tional error by Congress.
The Spy holds to the Democratic doctrine,
and has received some new light, probably, for
it is not to be supposed, that so conscientious a
journal has for many years professed to he a
Wing, and rejected oil the while one Of its most
vital doctrines. The Spy is now on the right
track. Both the Cass and Van Buren, branches
of the Democratic party agree in defending this
despotc prerogaiiye of the President, and their
congeniaity Of opinion, accounts perhaps for the
great increase Of political zeal manifested by the
Spy since he enlisted under Van Buren,. The
Wings who have been led astray by him, in pur-
suit Of free soil" jack-o-lsntern, will doubtless
be interested to learn that they are also requir-
ed to swallow a full set of Locofoco principles.
We are glad, at all events, for the benefit of
Wings in this County, to show, by so good au.
thorily, what are the political principles Of the
Van Buren, Free Soil party.
There is, in our opinion, at this moment, no
principle pregnant with such eminent danger to
our republican institutions, as the arbitrary veto
power claimed for the President, nor one so
poorly supported by reason, or by any fair read.
ing of the Constitution.
The Constitution does, it is true, provide that
"Eyery bill which shall have passed the House
OF Representatives and the Senate, shall, before
it becomes a law, be presented to the President
of the United States. If he approves, he shall
sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with bis OBJ.
jectons," &C.; but it also declares that Congress
shall have power to make all latcs which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into execu.
ton" the powers givento it, and particularly to
snake all nee!fd rules and regulations respect
ing the territories" And it is very clear that
Congress has mol this power if the President
may, for mere difference in opinion, interpose
bis veto.
sob but" says Mr. Spy, "what becomes of
the Presidents right to return all bills which he
shall not approve 2"
The answer is plain, he has no such right, to
the extent claimed
1t is familiar rule, that all parts of an nstru-
ment must be construed together; and if one
construction of It makes some of its pro visions
rePugnant, and conflicting, and another makes
the whole harmonious and effective, the latter
must be adopted as the correct one. The appli-
cation of this rule to the Constitution will recon
cile these apparently conflicting clauses, aud re.
strict the power Of the Executive within its true
limits.
The Constitution provides, that euery bill
shall, before it become law, be presented to the
President, who may veto ii and in that case, it
shall mol become law unless two.thirds of the
members Of Congress vote for it.
1t also provides that Congress shall have pow
er to make all latos, necessary to carry out the
powers vested in It, among which is the regula.