The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-22

Opinions of Eminent Statesmen IN the Veto Power.
is of the very utmost importance in the present can
hatthe people should understand fully the view taken
ny the most eminent of country and espe
;ally by those who the contemporaries OF the con
hution in relation to that clause of the constitution
which vests in the Executive qualified negative upon
the legislation of Congress. The clause, is well
known, was adopted unanimously by the fathers OF our
liberties, in the convention which framed the constu
ton
We have been favored by friend with extracts from
important document bearing upon the subject, which
at this time will doubtless be perused with the greatest
interest The extracts which we give below fur
nshed TO with the following Introductory remarks
the Union
A manuscript ESSAY on GovERNMENr," written by
President Monroe short time before his DEATH contains
he following remarks the psto power 1t will be re-
nembered that Mr.. Monroe exercised the veto power but
during the eight years that he was Presdent-a less
number than General Washington any other President
before since, except the two Adamses Mr.. Mon
roe characterized the "ea of good feelings,
FOR the spirit of faction did during it, greatly excite
Dasans in Congress to dspse and urge hcroachens on
he constitutional compact, aud laws otherwise injurious,
md local. and SECTIONAL and NATIONAL for the pur
pose of exciting dscord and clamor if rejected and OF
shecng selfish schemes if allowed to pass, during the
of his The extracts below given contain
some grave elections which every friend of free nstitu
should weigh and especially all who profess to belong
TO the democratic school. Coming from one who was so
chary Mr. Monroe of exercising any doubtful power
himself they have peculiar force, aud at this crisis are
peculiarly interesting The publication Of the entire essay
would be highly beneficial OSCl.LA.
Monroe Immediately before has death; no part yet pub
iisaed
These great principles must therefore. be considered
fundamental and iav,riabe in regard to governments in
which people hold the sovereignty first, that the
be separated from the, sovereigny the second
hat be divided into three separate Observation-Disclosures
executive, and udical and that each be eadooed wt ITS
appropriate pooers and be nude Independent Of the others II
is by faithful observance of these principles and wise
execution othem that tyranny may be prevented the gov
eminent be made efficient for all its purposes and the otce
If the peoe be PRESCRIBED IT, in all its operations
Unite the government it'll the sovereignty, although De
the psope and every species of abuse wh the certain
opsrroc of both, N foop concent ate all pooer in
body although be representatives, and the result if not
prompt, ,ciH necerthetess be eq uaity fatal
1t is indispensable that the three branches be made
Independent of and check on each other BY vestng in the
legislature the right mpeach and ythe chief executive
officer and the members of the judiciary, for misconduct
this object will be fully accomplished to that branch
Even without this the legislative is less exposed
encroachment from the other branch IS, than they from
II the executive should transcend its powers by acts
authorized by the constitution, law, the breach
would be palpable that it would be Immediately
discovered, and the incumbent be called
and punished for it. For lhe Judiciary make
croachments either OF the other branches, seems
Z, be impossible tho nature Of its powers aud duties be-
ing so different and obvious The object difficult
be provided for iso these branches with the
OF preventing encroachments them by the egisia
tire; and which Thought competent
md free from objection to tnuest the Executive NTH the
right Negative acts of the legislature and the Judiciary
with that declare law which it should deem unconst
tutional-vod. BY vesting these branches with these
powers injury could result and much benefit might
many toays II the right in the Executive to nega
tue acts be qualified, it might be- it mould bring
he subject again before the legislature, 10Th light
hroon it, and to it deliberate cons1era-
ion The division between the two branches would draw
the attention Of the people to the SUSPECT and should the
pass, and be exposed to the objection made the
re, the judiciary if repugnant to the constitution nigh,
eclae void if consistent with the constitution and
the poccr tS b. objectionable the people might correc,
The evil by amendment of The consultation If obectona-
ole other ground, the people might furnish remedy
by the declaration of their sentiments respecting it, which
might be done in different ways, Nth full effect In
might occur. in the progress of affairs political
nature in which the better opportunity enjoyed by the Ere
cuttps TO acquire full information might enable mega
bill with advantage TO the country The exercise Of
the proposed power by the Judiciary could involve
he question Of conflicting rights between il, and the legis
ature the character OF encroachmen those of the lat
ter In exercising that power, the judiciary could be
viewed only tribunal of the people invested with it,
prevent encroachments tending subvert the consu
ton, and with it their rights and liberties.
The Legislature and the Executive the branches from
which the greatest danger free government may be
pretended The union Of the government with the
sgny, and the concentration OF all power in body is
that to which such governments exposed by the
and usurped by the latter Against usurpatons and the
monopoly Of all po,oer by the legislature guard is
provided by this power vested in the erecutir and udic
airy. The dunger arises from other c1uses-the possibility
IF tendency to the opposite If the members
fthe legislature lose sight of the nation and look
sections only, the system the danger Combina
lions will be formed in support of local interests by
whereof those OF general character will be sacrificed
the injury of every part including those who
the opposition AT the head of such combination will be
found leader who will push its any extreme ior
his advancement at the of the public good
national policy must be cherished and prevail If the
people possess virtue intelligence and self
form.
the people, and the government is separated it,
very extraordinary effect is produced. The government
which the instrument and Inferior who
hold the sovereignty and in consequence
but operates on the people Individually and collective
iy; and as citizens subjects This COVE
gent which executes the compact between the citizens
To this weghty testimony of President Monroe-a ties
tmony rendered before any party had venured to max
the virtual abolition of the veto power party question
we suboin the following brief but pointed passages from
many others of similar import, which may be found in
the published writings of Mr. Jefferson In his letter to
Judge Roane, written in 1919, Mr. jefferson says:
"My construction of the constitution is worry different
from that quote 1t is that each department truly
independent of the Others and has equal right decide
tor itself what is the meaning of the constitution
cases submitted TO its action, and especially where