Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-10-20
rnE VETO. 4HE ONE MAN POWER .


TIE VETO" The ONE MAN POW Err"
If there be one feature in the Constitution
more than ano.her-the destruction of which
we would, as democrat. deprecate-it is the
veto power as it now exists in that instrument.
II does not surprise us much, that the present
whig party, which so faithfully represents the
old federal party, should be opposed to this
truly States Right conservative feature; a
feature that preserves the balance between the
States so essentially, that if it is once abol-
ished, there is no telling what expressions the
stronger section of the Union might impose
upon rs of the South, who are decidedly the
weaker. The wings are fond of calling this
the most republican and conservative fea-
ture in the constitution" the one man pow
er." No doubt it has thwarted some of their
mad, nefarious schemes; but has not the whole
country been the gamer?
To adopt the language OF an able cotempo-
rary, we ask, shall the constitution of our
country be mutilated Shall the instrument,
framed by the wisdom OF Washington, Madi-
son, Jay, Hamilton, Morris, ard the other
conscript fathers of the republic, and under
which we have gone on in a state Of national
prosperity unexampled, be now broken in
pieces, and one of lis main elements abstrac-
ted, TO crafty the whim of mere soldier, who
admits himself, that he has none of the expe-
rience or attainments of statesman who ne
yer exercised civil function in his life; and
who is profoundly ignorant, by his own con-
fession, OF even the current political measures
of legislation? Shall the great popular power
the check and balance wheel between the
States in the Senate, and the federal ratio" in
the House-be torn away, and those two bo
dies organized upon different basis OF repress en-
tation,-be left TO discordant and unharmoni-
zing action' The proposition is most alarm
ing, and pregnant with mischief? The archi-
tects of ruin are always ready TO tear down :;
but can they erect better ediice from the
fragments of their destruction?
"a thousand years scarce serve to build state;
A single h0nr may lay it in the dust ~
Let the people pause about this proposition.
Let them reflect what will be the the result Of
introducing Gen. Taylor's only avowed prin-
cple-THE ABOLITION OF THE VETo-into our
national legislation. Will the great machine
ry of our government, which has found so Of
ten its preservation in the exercise of this
power, continue to move on steadily when it
is gomez Or will IL rather, like a watch
whose main spring is broken, run down with
noise and violence and confusion: We would
advise all who would act with judgment and
discretion upon this subject, TO consult the a.
Bile papers OF The Federaist,' and the sound
and deliberate views OF Story and Kent in their
Commentaries on the Constitution, upon the
importance and indispensable necessity OF this
power. Those opinions were given by men
who were statesmen and constitutional iurists
and who had devoted their lives to the inves.
tigation of the principle Of government. II
they would hesitate TO lay the hand of Dagor
on the ark of our national covenant, wha
blindness and infatuation must it be for rough
and inexperienced soldier to attempt to carve
out, as with the sword, one of its most vita
and delicate portions! Truly we might apply
10 the wreckless followers of Gen. Taylor, in
this attack upon the constitution, the old quo.
taton that
Fools blunder in where angels fear to tread"