Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-05-05
VERMONT PHOENIX.
BrattIebors, Friday, May s, lS4S.
ENGLAND and the Rerelutien.

a perfect fever Of excitement IN many paru "
the country, growing out Of the Chartist meeting
in England and its probable consequence Inc
previous steamer lcft England fe" days before
the time appointed for the Chartist meeting on
Remington Common, in London, and the state
of the country warranted lively apprehcnsons
for the maintenance of order and tranquility.
The Government, alarmed at the dangerous con- |
sequences to be apprehended from 90 large an
nssemblage Of disaffecied men, took oxtraordi-
nary measures the contemplated procession to
carry the petition to the House Of Commons was
forbidden; the military put in requisitioni and
large number Of citizens created special con-
stables Still the mass Of the people, remember
ing the consequences to Louis Philippe of a sim
liar act of interference with public meeting in
Paris, expected that an attempt, and probably
successful one, would be made to effect a revo-
luton IN London. But the news by the Anne
RIGA, published to-day, shows the triumph Of
Government, and the failure, for the present Of
the revolutionary movement in England
The elements of revolution exist there, how
: ever, though not 50 strong or pressing as on the
Continent The form Of Government, in form
at least, is more liberal, and the removal Of two
evils would not leave much cause Of complaint
except the fact of sovereignty. The basis Of
representation should be extended, so as to make
the Legislative department reflect the sentiments
Of the people and the patronage Of the sove-
reign should be diminished The Prime Minis
ter being now responsible for all measures pro-
: posed and holding his place only while his
measures are sustained by majority of the rep
resentaiives, it follows, that il the Legislature
speak the voice Of the electors, the Government
J, is in effect republican-morc 30, in fact, than
= our own Government, while the President re-
mains clothed with the extraordinary veto power
e he now possesses.
:, In England, If a measure of Government Is
G defeated, the Ministry IS changed at once, and
in this way the wishes of the electors, 50 far rs
f they are expressed by the Legislature, are i'm
e mediately carried into effect But in our Gov
: ernmeni the President, by his veto, can defeat,
during his whole term of office, measure that
has majority of Congress constantly in its IA
, vor. 1t requires two-thirds 10 pass law against
e the Presidents veto; and as most Of the ques-
tons presented are party questions, in which
strict party lines are preserved, and as either
party has seldom or never a majority Of two
thirds in each House, the consequence Is, that
: the President, by his veto, can always defeat q
law passed BY Congress. This provision is a
monstrosity in our Constitutions is a relic Of
e arbitrary power. 1t was adopted with the best
intentions by our patriotic forefathers, to proven,
hasty legislation, and strengthen the Executive
arm, which, it was feared, might not be able to
9 maintain its appropriate powers. In respect to
$ the powers OF the Executive, it turns out that
/, the reverse of these apprchensions was the fact
The Executive patronage is fast overwhelming
and usurping to itself the Legislative and Judi
: cia powers, and is the source whence VIC may
Justly apprehend danger to our liberties-
Hasty Legislation should certainly be provided
2 against, but not to the extent Of defeating the
wishes of the people expressed by their Repre-
! sentatives The veto power-f 30 restricted thai
E it could not operate beyond one session, 50 thai
e 4 majority Of Congress could pass law the mex
d session after it should be vetoed-would be harm
= less, and perhaps salutary. But now the Press
|, dent can for four years defeat the wishes Of {
! majority Of the people, and be cannot be mad
amenable except by impeachment-which, a
long as parties exist, is impossible.
In this respect, the Presidents power is great
er than that Of the sovereign Of Great Britain
1t is an anomaly in our Constituton-sn excre'
i, cence which we hope soon to sec chopped off b
&c the strong arm of republication. None can de
=. fend this article in our Constitution, unless upo
f. the ground that the will Of the people ought nc
u to govern, and that one man should have powe
to defeat their will for four years, though Il
=" expressed annually; and strange to say, the pai
N ty assuming to itself all the democracy and a
at the republcanism Of the country, uphoids an
=. iustfes this monstrous and arbitrary veto powe
u We are against it The power that repos'
y in safety with the British Legislature may |
safely confided to ours, and the will Of the elec
II, ors-which, expressed by simple majority
rs the House Of Commons, drives the Premier I
bv England from bis place, in defiance of q
is throne, and without resulting in hasty legslatic
will, we opine, produce no more dangero'
Ip- consequences here. This Is our republicanisr
y and Il |. one Of the issues involved in the a
preaching Presidential election. In this come
S. the selfsylcd republican party opposes rePub
nts canism, and susians the veto power against Il
'er will of the people This, however, is no stranl
n doctrine for the leaders of that party, for it
lis cardinal maxim of one of their apostles, Ma
The tin Van Buren,, that the farther power Is !
re, moved from the people, the better We a
~ not Of that opinion, however, and we belle
ra- that the will of the electors Of this Republic m
be carried out by legislation, as safely and
speedily, and with as little restriction as the "
,od of the electors Of Great Britain. Their sen
for ments, expressed by the Legislature, meet wi
the no veto-wby should ours, herep
ion PRESIDENTIAL MoyEMENTs.-The WI
res members of the Massachusetts, Legislature ha
can held meeting and issued an eloquent addr
ann in favor of Daniel Webster for the Presiden'
of A letter has appeared from Gen. Taylor, 6
-. ,t,orauca IN Vhio onininnq and his inf