The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-17

power has been exercised since the OF
this government
By George Washington
James Madison
James Monroe
Andrew Jackson
John Tyler
James K. Polk 3
Total number of vetoes 25
The whole number of acts passed and approved since
the origin of the government about 1000, which will
make $50 acts to one veto.
| cannot Mr. Chairman though pressed for time, dis
miss the subject without noticing the figure or smile
used by the gentleman from Ohio Mr. ScHENCXl OF the
snag boat In this illustration he represents the const
tuition the Mississippi and the veto power 'snag,
and ne comes forward making great preparation with his
snag boat throwing out his graphing irons, raising the
steam, the wheels revolving, determined to extract this
principle, the veto, from the constitution. This IL
Of Se have s G whe 1s
through the constitution by officer chosen by them
selves, the snagboat of federal power is brought for
ward to tear 1t out by the roots But do not look upon
the veto power snag" the Mississippi to OBJ
struct the navigation TO our commerce. but as break
water to the figure, placed the peoples sea or
constitution, arrest the mighty current, heavily setting
of federal power to break the dashDg of
croachments upon their liberties and their interests The
Veto exercised by the Executive is conservative and
en- ables the people, through their trbunan officer the
President, to arrest suspend for the time being
stituonal, hasty and improvdent legislation, until the
people-the soveregns in this country-have time and
opportunity to consider OF its propriety. But the mem
Der from Ohio determined tear out of that por
ton of the constitution where the people be heard
and felt But that other department of government
where they have no voice. they compelled TO submit
to It's absolute exercise, unless they resort TO revolu
ton or to amendment of the constitution. For
myself, 1 will take the instrument it is handed
down by Washington and his compeers and if it is
tyranny to exercise this power has been, and APP
proved OF, by every republican President from Wash
ington's Inauguration down TO the present tme-not
even excepting General Harrison, who brought into
power by the wings out Of that chaotic state of things
which existed in lS40-l am willing to abide by it,
and await the ultimate decision OF the people the sub
iect Ii the gentleman from Ohio could succeed with his
federal snag.bo IN extracting the peoples power the
veto, from the constitution, the harmony OF beautiful
though complex form of government would be lost the
equilibrium would be gone and tYo Of the depart
result in the concentration of all power in depart
ment Time will not permit, if disposed and
pable OF going into analysis of the powers OF this
government. have not the time to take it down and
examine each element and then set il up again and view
It in its complicated form. must content myself with
what have hastily and crudey sad and pass to the
next proposition propose to discuss.
will now proceed to discuss my second proposition
that IS, Who is responsible for the war with Mexico
And in this wish to be distinctly understood, that do
not intend to exonerae the democratic party from their
far proportion of the responsibility intend to discuss
this question upon the premises laid down by the oppo-
ston TO the 1t has been assumed by them that the
annexation of Texas to this Union the of the
war; and wish TO be further and distinctly understood
that do not admit, in this connection, that the
ton OF Texas was the of the that the
neXation of Texas was justhabe cause of on the
part OF Mexco but intend to proceed upon the prem
ses before alluded TO- as assumed by the opposition
will read extract from speech made by the gentleman
from New Jersey, Mr.. VAN DYKE,l page
The first cause of the war beyond all dispute, the
OF Texas Bur tor ms we Certainly should
done by Ms We then, were gny of the first offensive ac
tragedy oil boodshed DEATH and desoation, have
and regularly howed.'
will also read an extract from speech of the gentle
man from Vermont [Mr. CoLLAMER,] made the reso-
uions annexing Texas to the United Sates follows
c. confined To argue that in the event or
nexaton OF Texas the United States would be responsible
for her debts; and that would be way Of getting
he touched WAS, that the measure would involve war. He
that latter possessed the right of which could
dlvested OF rcconqnering the former that war between
and that the United States by taking Texas, would
become party to it,"
might go on adding proof after proof of the same
tom but presume is unnecessary, for there not one
on the opposite side OF the House who will deny that
this was the position assumed by the great body Of the
party And as have stated my premises and they
are not controverted by any will proceed TO show
how annexation was brought about. But ! wish to
impress on the minds of the opposition distinctly the
position which they have taken. The important pc.
lItical era of 1910 will be remembered by ALL when
the fountains of the political deep seemed to be bro
ken up, when Reason seemed to toter and reel from
her empre-that dark and gloomy PERIOD when many Of
the States wandered from their republican fold-when
the Egyptian mantle OF darkness was hung out-when
their pubic gatherings constituted nothing than
drunken ogies-when log cabins, hard cider and
were the embems of their principles and bacchanalan
song singing the argument presented sustain them
The result OF this medley of things was the election of
Gen Harrison to the presidency and John Tyler to the
vice presidency II was wing triumph; and their great
leader had not more than scarcely gone through the
monies OF Inauguration, (or coronation more properly
called) and he conducted the summit OF all his ambition
before STAR he was struck from his sphere to the
level of the tomb. This the act of an inscruabe
Providence; and by provision of the constitution John
Tyler succeeded to the presidency During this admins
ration, the negotiation for the of Texas
commenced-a treaty was concluded providing Tor the
annexation of Texas submitted to the Senate and reject
ed After the rejection of this treaty, the election for
Mr. Tylers successor came The question was sub
med to the people, and it thought and believed that
the decision made by the people in that election was in
| favor of the annexation of Texas.
On the first Monday N December, the second session
OF the twenty-eghth Congress commenced, and during
that session Congress passed the annexation resolutions
but now becomes necessary to go i2to detail and as
certain where responsibility rests II will &c remember
ed that Mr.. Tyler wing President; thai all this
originated during his administrations and that from rs
to last there were eleven different propositions offered
providing for the annexation of Texas One was offered
by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr C. J. niger.
soLL;1 one by Mr. Weller, of Ohio; another by Mr.
Douglas, of Illinois; and others by Mr. Beser Of Ala
hama Mr.. Tbbatts of Kentucky Mr. Mcdowell of
| Ohio; Mr. Dromgooie, of Virginia; Mr. Burke of New
Hampshire; Mr. Preston King. of New York; and Mr.
Robinson These all democratic propositions
| Iy voted down. defeating the annexation of Texas
greatly to the surprise and astonishment OF the demo-
cratic party. None of these propositions would do
for the wing party. The democrats stood with their
arms folded, knowing not what to do. Mr.. Milton
Brown, OF Tennessee, whig at this particular Crisis