The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-15
From the New Orleans Delta, Oct L.
SPEECH OF JOHN q. LAKUE,
HI the Democratic Mass Meeting, al 50. Marys Mar
ket Sepfembef 80.

HI the Democratic Mass Melting, at ST. Marys Mar
ket, September 30.
My FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: This large assem-
blage such shows that the people are awake to
the importance of the canvass in which we are now EN-
gagged that they anxious to hear, discuss and duly
consider the issues involved and then to decide with the
camness and independence OF ieeme1 having great inter-
ests at stake upon the proper mode OF acton IN the
coming election The next President or the United
States is not be elevated TO that high post by shout
and song and maddening revelry; no blind excitement
nor wild enthusiasm is TO determine the event of the
test. Even opponents, who calculated largely on
such means, have given up the hope OF making them
available, and have condescended IN their manner, TO
enter unto discussion before the people.
1t is for the purpose of such discussion that appear
before you, under every disadvantage, this evening 1t
my fortupe good bad, about three weeks ago to
address the people of the parish of Jefferson 1t
thought proper by opponents to engage two OF Their
most eloquent and learned champions to address the peo
pie OF the vicinity, in what was generally under
stood, if not publicly proclaimed an answer to my re-
marks. These distinguished knights had some advan
tages They did not waste their sweetness on
the desert artheir eoquence did not vanish with the
evanescent sounds OF oral delvery-but happily Tor
themselves and perhaps for their was seized upon
by the pess and spread far and wide 1t thought by
that their speeches needed reply. read them al
tentively. The compound OF flowers and tg
ures flash and fancy, filled with bold metaphors, high
sounding words and well -rounded periods and might
properly be designated
60 A fine example, the WHOLE
OF what the learned call rgmarole !"
but furnished food unsubsanla to the nqung mind
as bowl of whipped syllabub would be TO the stomach
of furnished man. The other, however, with less
orcal preenslons, had in 1t something tangible some
thing that could be seized upon, something that might be
understood and would merit reply. To review of the
positions assumed and the doctrines advanced in this
Speech shall mainly conne the few observations have
to make to you.
The gentleman in the commencement of his speech
and in two other places, remarks very severely
upon those orators of the sestyled democracy, those
demagogues, who, for their selfish purposes abuse
and demo all who do not think with them traitors,
vaga0onds and unprncpled men. Every right feeling man
must concur with him IN his censures Abuse can eject
nothing of good And those who indulge in 1t should be
rowned down by all men of all parties. The little poll
can who reves and traduces his opponents can only
enkndle heart burnings among the members OF the com,
muny, and bring shame and disgrace upon himself and
the cause or party he seeks to We do not
differ here. IT TO however, that this evil Is not
confined the se led democracy, as the gentleman
sees fit TO call u.s. due share OF may be found in the
opposite ranks
But why are we designated as the self-styed democ
racy?" Have opponents any desire to hch from us
our good name ?" It would For my part,
have great objection to letting them wear 1t they de-
sire, although it must be confessed that name which
tated by many glorious iumphs, and connected SO
conspcuousy with the great events OF our history is de-
serving of better fate than to be adopted by party
which has rendered every respectable name which 1t has
assumed, from tedeTas to wing, term OF reproach with
the great majority of the people But If that party can
indicate its title to the name Why let 1t wear IT. put
party the bitter enemy of the constitution OF the United
Statesof that sacred charter Of our Liberties to which,
in the eloquent words OF Gen Cass. I'VE viii, II not
TO his last plank when night and tempest are gathering
around him" Under the preence of friendship to the
constitution under the appearance OF desire to preserve
parts. "The law-maklng power, says the gentleman,
resdes in the representatives OF the people-he Con-
gress composed of the Senate and House OF Representa-
lives There rests the great power OF enacting laws to
govern the people, and there the wings desire to keep
No one wishes, that know Of 10 transfer the legislative
power from Congress | have never heard any such
1pctrI
fence of what has attacked is intended TO cover
attack upon what every good citizen should most
that it gives to Congress legislative power, provides
that the laws which may be passed shall be approved
by the President, and If he do not approve OF any OF
them he shall send the back to the House which
it originated, with his reasons, In writing, When II the
bill be passed by majority OF Wo-thrds OF both
houses, shall become law, notwithstanding his OBJ
ectons This is the great veto power, and this the eX
lent to which it may be exercised. l am not called
upon to show the wisdom OF this provision IN the
constitutional show how is calculated to- protect MI
norities against the overbearing tyranny OF temporary
maorties-how it tends to give stability and moderation
to our legislaton-how it never be exercised for
the defeat of laws which the great majority OF the peo
pie require but can only delay their passage until the
Der second thought OF the people has had time to form,
and to express itself in congressional electons-how
il has heretofore always been wisely used and every use
of has been ratified by the people themselves it is suf
cent that it part of the constitution Every Presi-
dent is to observe every part OF that instrument
How can party therefore, with any degree of assurance
come before the people, with words of respect for the
sttuton on their lips, and yet advocate the election of
candidate the ground that he will not exercise the
rights given him by the consutonhat he Will not per-
form the duty which imposes upon hm-bu that he will
approve every law, whether in reality In his heart and
conscience he approves not The President who thus
in advance lays down rule of action must the risk
of violating his obligations to his country his conscience
and his God He is daily danger of being false to his
oath or to his pledges and professions. | can hardly
think that gentlemen serious in their professions on the
veto They are doubt annoyed that 1t should have
been used in times past, to the overthrow OF some OF
from reflection. They have run mad, apparently, with
the idea that the majority should govern and wish to
overthrow all barriers to its control IL they base Their
claim to the title of true democrats upon this notion
they have yet much to learn of democracy. That, for
purposes OF convenience the rule of the majority has
why has it been adopted? Simply because i was bet
ter expression of the general will than the minority
would be. 1t to the opinion oil the mass
But no imagined in the democratic ranks that
ffty-one out of hundred and one had right to
pass any laws they pleased, that the remaining nifty
had no rights and should have powers, either of ac
ton of resistance Your constitutions, national and
State made expressly to restrict restrain and direct
the action OF maorues, and protect the rights OF mno
ties; and if the rule that the majority should govern is
good for abolishng the veto preventing IT from
being exercised, equally good reason Tor Rposh
ing all constitutions and constitutional forms Wha,eVe
Away with them-they serve but to cramp the divine
right of maorities 1t is misfortune OF our opponents
that they understand little OF democratic principles lha
they take up an idea founded upon those principles, ana
carry TO absurd extremes, under the vain oon that
thew are thereby asserting their claims 10 democracy
This particularly the case win ms war on tne Veio
But the eneman opposes not only the exercise OF the
veto hui that extraneous dangerous and overbearng
influence exercised by the President OF this Union
The deliberations of Congress- 1t has been the habit Of