Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-10-24
The .Yeta PaMG.

popular feature from our national ,copst,-
tuition. They do not propose TO accom-.
'Pllsh it ny proposition to amend the
constitution, which is the only legitimate
way, but by she election of Gen. Taylor,
"'ho' they aver, is pledged in advance to
abandon its exercise. The wings are
thus trying 10 overturn one of the most
sacred provisions of the constitution
unqualified negative given to the Presi-
dent. by mutilating and misI epresent.
eng This conservative provision of the con
btltution, they are slandering the memo
sizes of the patriotic dead to whom the
country is indebted for its freedom. This
is the oniy measure, relating to govern
ment, that the wings dare express their
opinion upon. They pretend to support
candidate, because he has pledged him
self to disregard the constitution, in one
respect at least. BY this course they vit
tually strike at one OF the powers of our
go~erhRaent. which is so wisely formed
with checks and balances. Thus the
wings are arrayed against the consultation
and against the fathers Of the American
Revolution.
That this t'our man power" as the
wings please TO term it, is not one of the
most Essential departments of govern
ment, the whiggies as yet have failed to
prove. In the first place, the President
is the representative of no particular
section, but of the entire Union. The
members Of both branches of Congress
are the representatives of sections-,hey
are not chosen by the people of the
United States, but by particular State.
thus it must be admitted that the Presi.
dent of the United States represents the
whole people more directly than Con-
gress. 1t is frequently the case that a
majority Of Congress represent minor.
ity Of the people, but not SO with the
President. The veto power. then is sim
ply designed to protect the people from
misrepresentation. go
We cannot, for our lives, discover in
what respect the veto power, as defined
by the constitution, is detrimental to the
most free exercise OF constitutional and
civil liberty. The veto does not enact
or impose any measure upon the people;
1t only confers powers upon the Presi.
dent to arrest the measure and to bring
it directly before the people-it is in of:
feet, a grant Of an appeal from the repre-.
sentatiVes Of the people TO the people
themselves.
The argument that there is danger of
the Presidents using the veto power
fyrannically, or improperly, is totally
destitute of foundation. No President
will scarcely dare bring himself into col.
iision with Congress unless his con.
science and the popular will Of the people,
bind him to enterpose to prevent the
passage of an inexpedient or unconstitu.
tional law. Putting the worst feature on
the case, beyond rational doubt, the
exercise of the veto can do no harm.
It's not to be supposed that there will be
al any time, any laws in existance, in
tuIS republic, SO defective that much
mischief will be done in letting them re.
main unchanged for short period. The
term of the President is but four wears.
and admitting that he should violate the
veto power. he is liable to impeachment
and mnst soon come before the people 10
give an account Of bis stewardship.
The veto power has never been used
except in eases Of the most urgent ne.
eessiiY, and when resorted to has alsrays
Gee" sanctioned By The people. Every
President thar has exercised the veto
power has been reelected, when present.
ed fOr second term. It was exercised
twice by General Washington, -opce
solely on the grounds Of ezpedsency.
The bill had been passed by a large ma.
jority and after his veto come near com.
manding two.thirds vote. What re.
sPect do the wings pay the memory of
him who was "fiFst in war, first 10 peace,
and6rst in the HEARTS ofhis countrymen."
by their cry against the veto pOwerl
TO show the regard that the wbigs
have lor the constitution -that sacred
instrumsnt which should ever be respect.
ed BY true americans and touched wish
fha o.aoto.t ...,.;.- -. n