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


born zeal having but Just manifested itself on
the part OF the friends and advocates OF General ZACHARY
against IT'S exercise by the President of the United
States lie" PLAIN remarks may be altogether unac-
ceptable TO the great body OF the people, explaining
when, where, and how il originated and why and by
whom was made part and parcel Of the constitution Of
the country.
1t originated with the old Romans before the Christian
era The Roman people, jealous and watchfu OF
their liberties and believing thai they had to dis.
trust their Senate, appointed. first five and then ten tn
bunes, $50 caedO whose duty il to veto all laws by
them deemed oppressive offensive touching the rights
of the people, which the Roman Senate might enact
and when vetoed, they instantly became nuiiy. This
power subsequently conferred Octavanus, sur
named Augustus, and abolished regarded the bunes
Augustus, however used the power, because he
dictated all the laws made during his reign, he being
vested with absolute authority Here ended Its use
IN ancient Europe We come down TO modern
Europe, where we find that the Parliament OF
Englan conferred II on the King; but IL has not been
used by hun since the nth century, because, if he had
good cause to appehend the passage OF popular law
lha IS law favorable 10 the people, and more less
abfigng the prerogatives OF the Crown or treading
however lightly, on the feet of the nobty-he through
his ministers of state. by bribng and corruptng such
members OF Parliament Justly obnoxious 10 the
suspicion that such was their wish and Intention could
IN this way stfe In Its birth. And here il is admitted
that this the exercise of " the oneman power but
is not perceived how cnn possibly apply the Presi
dent of the United States, for with lis use or exercise
on the part OF the President. invariably the side of
the peope-in favor of the many against the corrup-
tons secret tricks and contrvances, and aru designs
and selfish motives, of the feD
Assuming this 10 be uue It's application must necessa-
nly have most salutaTy effect the whole BODY pol
itc-trst, by controlling hasty and mprovident laws
Legislation secondly, by preserving that moral purity
in our public councils, without which the people can
never be happy and prosperous as a nation.
But is not the exercise OF the veto power conempoIa
history OF the country from the organization of the fed
eral government down to the present me shall read
down Polk, with the exception of the two Adamses
Jefferson, and Van Buren0 has exercised or used the
veto power.
General Washington (whose pure spirit has no doubt
long since commingled with the spirits of the just made
perfect in heavcn permitted TO revisit the earth would
irown indignant at the attempt on the part OF asPirGnts
for Office to make odons the OF this all important
power under the federal constitution and which he. in
his enlightened judgment and exalted patriotism, twice
made OF while President of the United States. Mr.
Madison, the able expounder OF the constitution, and
whose whole life was one even current OF gentleness
and hrnness most happily united, (suauiter IN modo, for
her IN re,) used the veto power SIX times during his
administration. Mr. Monroe, next in the order of
csssion, whose quiet and peaceful administration re-
vved III It's effects, the Augusan age, used it once Gen
Jackson-the Ulysses in council, the Achilles in war
the peoples friend, and the beloved of the peope-hke
wise applied it nine times. Mr.. Tyler-a gentleman
of generous and noble impulse, at all times patriotic
in sentiment and feelings, and firm OF purpose during
his presidency vetoed four laws while President Polk,
the able statesman, the virtuous citizen, and we'll
tried public servant, and whose setting is not less
glorious than was It's rising spendor vetoed three laws
Making in all twenty five vetoes, guoad about 1000
acts of the Congress of the United States have passed
since we became an Independent nation.
Such from time 10 time, were the acts of great and
lusrous men, and who, with only exceptions are
forever in this life, but whose public lives,
conduct, and actions well worthy OF imitation by
those who have succeeded them; men who were, in
good TRUTH patriots in the fullest of the ord, uni
ting with the best impulses of the heart the respen
dent taents-taents which, like the vvfying rays of
southern sun, shed almost divine influence on all
around, by warming into life and action the timd the
waverng, the benghted. And well might they have been
considered in the public councils of State galaxy of
virtue and intellect the pride and ornament of their
try. With them the love of country and the equal rights
of mankind, were coeva with the earliest dawn of Tea
son nor did this holy principle cease to influence
their conduct, both in public and private. until the last
throb of life terminated their glorious career.
KEY WEST