The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-05

subiecf OF his politics relying only upon his individual
merit for bis tile the presidency, were content TO
let his claim be adudged by that tribunal OF the people 10
which he confidently appealed But when, abandoning
this position he sees fit to state those principles upon
which he should if called 10 the highest place in The
nations gift and when these principles declared by
him TO parake OF the character OF that party sentiment
against which We have so long oontended, we hold 10
be privilege and duty submit hs statements 10 The
srciesi scrutiny.
We have nothing say IN opposition 10 the elevated
ssnmen,s which he 10 be the only reasons m
huencing him become candidate Tor The presidential
Office Yet we are a loss TO perceive how an ndivd-
ua who confesses his ignorance OF all those details OF
POLITICAL son which the peculiar duties Of The
Executive should conceive that the necessities OF the
country required him become lis Chief Magistrate.
In his first statement he says that he should endeavor,
if elected 10 act independently OF party domination IL
this part OF his letter stood separate from what follows
we might indulge pleasant fancy OF what his course
would be- If the strange accidents of fortune placed hun
in The Executive chair. We could conceive OF a man
elevated by party 10 the presidency yet preserving IN
coincidence enough regard the interests OF the whole
country as OF value than the success OF the partcu
lar section 10 which he owed hs exalted station Bot il
General TAYLOR adhered the rules which he lays down
for his own government in another part of the same lei
Ter his subsection to party rule would be absolute
than that OF any President whom the country has YET had
,be ii fortune 10 behold for he says the third article Of
hi. political faith, that be should bold himself bound 10
assent 10 The will of The majority in the two houses Of
Congress upon all those questions which would be likely
to constitute the organic elements of wing opinion.
We confess that we do moi understand his sentiments
in regard 10 the veto power He says that II should
never be exercised except in cases of clear violation OF
the constitution or manifest haste and want OF consd-
erahon by Congress- This means everything, or moth
ing He is called upon 10 pronounce his opinion with
gard to this veto power, because In the previous history
Of the country this authority has been exercised in such
manner as TO make ii dstasieful 10 the whg party. We
ali remember in what this occurred. The question
Of national bank suggests the memorable instance
was vetoed expressly upon the ground OF It's unconst
utionaity and un6tness 10 the public wants The
sentiment OF the country IN favor OF the wisdom OF that
veto clearly settled. whatever may be its opinions
Of the individual by whom II was given. Yet this was
case in which, according TO Gen Taylors third article,
the President should have remained passive and have
allowed national bank to be fixed upon the nation
part OF its monetary system.
Taking that single example for our guide, are
dersiand him saying that where President possesses,
under the constitution the undoubted right to veto
measure, and exercises this authority, Notwithstanding
The will of the legislative bodies with whom he is
nected and where the people, afterwards and the
upublc events clearly indicate the wisdom of his course,
bis refusal nevertheless TO approve measure sane
bv hare lie no Ian
guage of General Taylor has any meaning capable Of
direct application, form other conclusion than
that such is his belief Ii is true that the constitution
has It's terms, provided against the contingent
cy Of the Chief Magistrate standing in the way OF the
popular WILL by giving to the legislation OF twohrds
OF the coordinate bodies the force OF law is true,
that a measure which cannot command for lis support
this vote should scarcely be considered eminenty the
will OF the whole people, TO require that oicer-who
is no less their representative than senators and con-
gressmen-to remain silent, approving spectator OF
measures which, in his soundes, judgment, be believes
10 be radically wrong.
What are the cases in which Gen Taylor believes that
the President can be released from his helpless apathy
and be allowed TO assume his just share in the legislation
OF The government He must either believe the constitu
ton TO be clearly violated else the which he
intends to veto must bear upon its face all the marks
Of haste and imperfect consideration. 1t is difficult
10 say what we are TO understand by ga clear Vi
olaion OF the constitution" Ii must what
is clear 10 the President as such. 1t hardly
be presumed that Congress will pass law which
ii believes 10 be unconstitutional In regard to every
question which might arise under the tariff the currency,
or internal improvement, we Can conceive OF indvidu-
ais occupying the presidential chair whose notions upon
the unconstuonaty of certain laws passed upon these
subjects would be clear any perception OF right and
wrong which the mind of man could entertain. Accord
me 10 General Taylor's views OF the veto power,
would become their solemn duty to refuse their sanction
TO such laws; while, according TO his classification OF
settled points, they would be constrained TO yield
resisting 10 whatever laws upon these subjects
they might be called upon TO lromulgate.
We utterly al loss 10 know what sort Of legsla
ton Congress would be content to regard hasty and
Al-oonsierel, to assent TO the proprieiy OF the
President exercising his veto where the propriety
representatives, not OF impulse than
Inc Executive; and any one who has been familiar with
'as legislation OF this country, will know whether haste
want o. debate has distinguished the proceedings OF MS
legislative bolies The more pTotraciel the discussion,
The mote voen, the contest the less the result be
SAD to be haSiy H. Considered but the may lis
legality, lis justice, its be doubte1 Men do not
argue and dispute about propositions OF manifest benefit
and utility all Where the contest is most protracied