The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-26

than thai his popularity arising from his military achieve
mens may be used to acquire power for their party
may over rate the dignity and responsibility OF the
office of Chief Magistrate of the United States; but,
tertainng the OF them that do, should regret to
see any man accepting that high office without the re-
sieei OF The party from whom he mad consented 10 re-
cease II, or upon any terms that would weaken public
confidence IN his abilities or his pride Whatever, there
lore might be my respect Tor General Taylor On &C.
couat of his military character would not consent
NAT he should be used by such party Tor such ends
But, gentlemen, Notwithstanding all the old issues
heretofore presented BY the opposition az the grounds OF
their CLAIM to the public support, have been repudated,
and the interests they proiessedly designed TO sub
serve have been abandoned to their fate, new dogma
is introduced into the present which is 10 be the
future guide OF the wing rule Without any attempt to
amend II by the legitimate provided in the nstru
ment, the constitution 10 be practically changed IN
material part and the admirable aPportlonment OF the
several powers OF The government established by II IL to
| be eubverled and overthrown. DespaTng OF obtaining
the constitutional number of States 10 operate in so
radical change IN system OF government, the dellb
crate purpose meditated OF removing through the
agency OF numerical majority, the most saluary and
elective cheek upoa the inexpedlent unwlse and une
quail legislation OF Congress Unable by any legitimate
process, To expunge from the constitution the qualified
negative OF the Executive upon the acts of the Legislature
the design OF the present opposition to render it null
Ltyfhy eSacling IRON their public agents ample pledges
thal they Will exercise it, If at all, only cases thai
would leave the power OF Congress with little or no
control! deeply lament that General TAYLOR has been
found capable of giving such pledge! There is
need TO repIoach him with the inconsistency, after
repeatedly dsciainlng any commitment but that I'M
posed oy the constitution, OF soiemnly pledgng him.
sell to disregard of its Inuncuons, and that which,
IN more than contingency might become the most
nPeIase OF an; me reptoach OF inconsistency SINKS
impose upon his Official discretion and conduct. Nor
viii detan you with elaborate examination into the
intention and objects of the power of the President
1t is sufficient to know, that the accumulation of the
powers of the government in the hands would, in
effect constitute despoilsm; that IN apportoning the
various powers OF our government among the several de-
parments, the trainers OF the constitution endeavored to
confer upon each proper check upon the others; and
that the qualified negative OF the Executive was the prin
cpal security they proposed against the encroachments
OF the legislature 1T is obvious from all the conmena
conemporaneous with system, that this the
principal object of the veto power and that il was intend
ed and required TO be exercised not only TO prevent the
enactment OF unconstitutional acts, but to arrest the pas
sage OF unwse, ineXpeditnt or unequal laws II II
were not that President could not be expected to APP
prove law which, his conscience, he believed TO be
violation of the constitution, the unconsltuonallty OF
OF Congress would afford tine least apology Tor
the OF the Executive veto, since II the act
were really in violation of the constitution il would
be null and void and would be SO declared by the
judiciary, without the application OF the veto would be
needless to attempt anticipate enumeTate all the
stances in which, according the spirit OF the constitution
would become the right and duty OF the President to APP
ply the veto Ii enough 10 know that Tor wise pur-
poses the trainers OF the government made IT part Of
their SYSTEM and must have intended that IN It's exercise
the discretion of the President would be restrict
ed than that of the Legislature General Washington
the nost distinguished OF the authors OF the constitution
AM 40 will doubt that he understood Its spirit and
inter ton profoundly any other man. As early as
1897 with these fresh his mnd and when the eXer-
of any Of It's powers might have been expected IN
great degree establish It's true construction IN the u
lure he applied the veto to act OF Congress 70 ascertain
and fr Hc military establishment OF tie United States and
the only grounds which he decided to veto this ACT
were, that discharged two companies OF Dragons with
out allowing them proper pay that 1t would be inconve-
Blent TO discharge them as the law contem
plated; that their discharge would not compon with
economy; and that as il was expeden that part OF tue
military establishment should consist of cavalry it would
be his opinion improper to discharge both companies
General HARRISON in his inaugural address, pronounced
the power, when exercised according to the spirit
of the constitution. not only expeden but one OF the
best safeguards of the Union. He thought IL was IN
tended conservative power, and certainly to be used
protect the constitution from violation to protect the
people from legislation when their will dsregarded
or understood and thirdly, TO prevent the effects Of
combinations in violation of the rights OF mlnoritles
Now broader scope than Is here given to the veto
under the second head of General Harsons enumeration
could scarcely be claimed by any one, since would
vest the Executive equally with Congress. directly and
biennialy emanang from the people, with the fullest
discretion conform the legislation to his opinion of the
popular will 49,
In the exercise Of the veto falling under the
third head enumerated by General Harrison, equal lat
ude of discretion comprehended, and in ii the people
of Delaware nhablting small State, have deep and
peculiar interest Except the equality of their vote
the Senate and the moral influence of talent by which
they may be represented in the National Legislature the
executive veto affords the only safeguard, upon which
thew could rely against formidable combinations of the
mum bers and talent, and local interests of the larger
States; and | venture 10 the people OF Delaware
not to throw away this conservative shield which the
constitution has provided them. That this power, like
any other the constitution, may be abused need not be
denied but think il would be conceded all hands,
that il is neither liable to abuse has been nju
dicously exercised, the power of appointing Office
The great security OF the people, after ALL for the faith
full OF The various powers OF government, Is IN
the honesty and sound Judgment OF their public agents.
under strict responsibility to the public will and can
conceive of power under the constitution that could
be exered with less impuny than the executive veto
There is however, species of abuse to which the
adverted to- and that in refusing TO apply it in
ses in which the spirit of the constitution and the
rights of the people require Its exercise am not sure,
indeed that this might not prove the most mschlevous
of any; and is this species OF abuse that Gen Taylor
has committed himself to prachse The pledge he has
soemnly gwen, it correctly understand II, imposes up
him the obligation not TO exercise the veto power IN
am case, excepting for violation of the constitution
to prevent hasty nconsiderate Legislation Now, it
clear that consistently with this pledge he could neither
initiate the example of General Washington prevent
any of the serious legislative inTactons compre-
hended under the third head of General Harrsons
meraon; that whatever combinations OF local inter-
ess among the large States might be formed, the
minores, he would be Obliged to remain inactive and
permit the mischief to be perpeirated without remedy
In Short if Congress abstain from violation of the
stituton, (and if they did not, the veto would not be
needed) and they pass their laws without haste and
with proper consideration, no matter how mIschevous
their legislation might be, II could not, under General
Tayor's pledge, receive any check whatever.
Now gentlemen, II appears TO that this is not the
constitution under which living. Ii is, the