Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1848-12-21

INTO nrSt convection, inherent from tnat
of their representatives, they give weight
to their opinions by changing the public
servants. In their adoption of the con.
stituton are the best evidences of their ca
paclly for fgoyernment; they know
that the men whom they elect to Office are
of like infirmitics and passions with them
selves, and not TO be trusted without being
restricted by CO ordinate authorities. Who
that has witnessed the legislation of Con.
gross for the last thirty years, will say
that he knows of no instance in which
measures demanded by The public good
have been carried! Who will deny that
in the State Governments, by combinations
Of individuals and sections, in derogation
of general interests, banks have been char.
tered, and systems of internal improve
ments have been suggested, relarding their
growth, and impairing their energies for
years to come? After so much experience
il cannot be said that absolute, unchecked
power, is safe in the hands Of any one sci
Of representatives, or that the capacity Of
the people for selfgovernment, which is
admitted in its broadcast sense, is conclu,
sive argument to prove the prudence, wis
dom or integrity of their representatives.
manded the President, as much as they
have commanded the legislative branch of
the government TO execute their will. They
have said TO him in their constitution that
they require he shall take solemn oath TO
support if Congress pass any bill which
he shall not approve, he shall return 1t 10
the House in which il shall have origina.
ted, with his objections thereto" In with
holding from il his approval and signature
he is executing the will of the people, as
much as the Congress which passed it,
No bill is presumed TO be in accordance
with the popular will until it shall have
passed through all The hands of the gov
eminent, requisite to make il law. A
bill passed by the House may be rejected
by the Senate, and one passed by Senate
may be rejected by the House. In each
case both Houses exercise the veto Eower
on the other.
Congress. and each House of Congress
hold under the constitution, a check upon
, the President, and he by the power of the
qualified veto a check upon Congress-
When the President recommends measures
to Congress, he avows in the mos, solemn
form his opinions, gives his voice in their
approve them if passed by Congress. II
he acts without due consideration, or has
: been Influenced by improper or corrup,
motves-or if from any other cause Con
gress, or either House of Congress shall
: differ with him, they exercise their veto up
on his recommendations and reject them
and there is no appeal from their decision
but to the people al the ballot box. These
are proper checks; none will be found &c
object to them, or 10 wish them abolished
e 1t is equally important, that the constitu
tonal checks of the Executive upon the
; legislative branch should be preserved.
If it be said that the Representatives ir
the popular branch are chosen directly BY
n the people, il is answered. The people cleo
e the President. If both Houses, represen
u the States and the people: so does the Pres
X dent. The President represents in the
j. Executive Department, the whole people
u of the United States, as each member o
the Legislative Department represents TIT
J. portions of them.
l. The doctrine of restriction under Legis
= a,ive and restrictive power, while a we
e settled public opinion is enabled within
IS reasonable time TO accomplish its ends
e has made our country what il is, and ha
d opened to US career of glory and happi
e ness, TO which all other nations are stran
: gers.
J. In the exercise Of this power, the Presi
c dent is responsible, not only to an enlght
: ened public opinion, but TO the people O
the United Stales-of the whole Union
e who cleo, him, as well as the Representa-
"a tves in the Legislative branches who dill
r fer with him, are responsible TO the parlc
81 ular States or districts. To restrict th
a. President in the exercise of his power
ID would be to repeal that portion Of the con
v stitu,ion which confers it upon him. T.
" charge tina, its exercise unduly contrac,
lie the Legislative will, is 10 complain of th
y constitution itself
If the Presidential veto be otected t
~ upon the ground that it checks and thwarl
- the public will, upon the same principl
- the equality of representation of the State
. in the Senate should be stricken out Of tn
" constitution. The vote of Senator froI
~ Delaware has equal weight in deciding ~
y on most important measure with the vol
of the Senator from New York: and We
10 the one represents State containing, al
10 cording 10 the existing apporlionment {
'e representation in the House, represent;
y ton of by one thir,y-fourth part of tn
ID population of the other. By the constt,
- tional composition of the Senate, ma
ii, ity of that body from the smaller Slate
represents less than one. fourth of the pei
he ple of the Union. There are thirty State