The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-21
THE UNION.

GENERAL TAYLoRs VIEWS DUTIES OF THE
| fAEcufiVE-The impartial reader who has watched
closely the developments of opinion made by General
Taylor IN the various letters which he has from time to
time written, must have perceived very papable gno-
rance on The part OF this aspran for CIVIC honos OF the
structure and genius of that government the chief
ecuuve oHice OF which his eyes are ongngly fixed We
can only account for the hardhood with which this
rough old soldier undertakes to assume position TO
which ne acknowledges himself wholly unit, by the
supposuon that he concelves his chief duty, Presi
dent-li the people of this country to commit the
absurdty OF placing him in the Executive chair-would
be to sign his to all the bills that Congress should
see mt TO pass The labor OF thought of patient nves
CATION OF thorough research into the constitutional prn-
cpes and the practical bearing of measures upon the great
interests oil societal OF which pesumes some previous
requirement and turn of mind for these thngs-are to be
dispensed with in reference all acts of Congress Such
seems to be the conclusion to which the mind of General
Taylor has come in regard to the Presidents duties
HIS construction would marvellousy simplify the labor
OF the rst officer OF the government and make the pres
dency very genemany sinecure. But in the midst of
this dream OF downy repose the evil passions of Gu
Pdty the curse of sectional seshness, of unholy
bnatons and nrgues mgh enable reckless majority
in Congress to sweep any constitutional barriers,
and PROSTATE the weaker sections of the Union beneath
| its iron heel.
Gen. Iaylors letter to Capt Allison:
"Upon the subject of the tariff the currency, the i'm
Pavement o. our great highways, rivers lakes and har
bors the will of the people, expressed through their rep
resenatves Congress- ought be respected and carried
| out by the Executive"
This is clear and explicit surrender Of that portion of
power ana OF discretion which Is vested by the cOnstItu
ton in the Executive. The will of the peope-of
numerical majority in this country-mght express itself
through their representatives. favor OF very atroclous
and unconstitutional measures ay, in refer
ence to the very items specified to wit: the tariff, the
currency and internal improvements Yet General Tay-
lor would dsam the Executive of all discretion to inter-
pose-he would shield him from all responsibility for
outrages on the constitution, under forms OF law by Con-
gress Such view of executive duty shows him unfit
for SO responsible position: 1t is position to which
the constitution has attached heavy responsibilities; and
1t is practical muaton of that instrument for any Ex
ecuve to dsarm himself OF the powers conferred on him
IN advance OF his assuming the executive chair.
1t isa superficial and false view OF our form OF gov
eminent to look upon If as government OF the majority
the mere numerical majority of the voters of this great
conederacy OF States. 1t is superficial and false view
10 consider that this government made for the sole
benefit OF that majority and that the legislative power is
intended TO carry out their sovereign will Mnorlties
have rights as well as maiorites Small States have
rights as well as large States Our system is one OF
checks and balances admirably arranged to give proec
ton to the weak and to curb the strongo set bounds
to maJores and contemplated and provided for
| to defeat the acW Of the majority
The lower house OF Congress represents the people in
mass majority of that house speaks the voice of the
majority of the people But they not absolute, It
is not intended they should be- The Senate is check
on them There minority OF the people may have
majority in the Senate-Rhode Island and Delaware hav
ing as many votes as New York and Pennsylvania
But though the Senate is thus made check on the
else IA that It right No one will deny that it would -
But the President is armed by the constitution with
the veto which may operate check on both Would
it be proper exercise that rght The history of
the past the list of vetoes actually nteposed and their
beneficial results prove too clearly the propety of its
exercise to admit of doubt The South has doubt
ed it, though portion Of her people known the
wing party OF the south have of late years. entertained
doubs-the defeat of national bank by the veto of
President Tyler creating that doubt But the southern
people, holding peculiar institutions exposed to the preu
dces of the Christian world combined against her, and
having interests that might be njuriousy affected by
legislation which would njure the citizens of other
section, form helpless minorityhelpess except that
they protected by the checks and balances of the
stution. The south will never, therefore, raise its
voice TO break down any of the constitutional restraints
upon the arbitrary power of the majority.
! But Gen Taylor has commenced the surrender of his
will his discretion and his conscience into the hands of
an arbitrary majority, by yielding his right. in he
should ever become President (Which God forbid we
should ever witness in reference to these most impor
tant questlonsthe tariff the currency and the improve
ments of highways, lakes, rivers, and harbors If he
surenders regard to these items where the
that he will ever retain any discretion in his hands
What security has the South, any section
teres that he may not abandon it to the mercess
tons OF majority eagued against it, Upon the very
questions which his discretion already surrendered,
where is the security that the majority may
bine in its Legislation 10 cruelty Cypress and crush any
one important interests which are represented
only by minority in Cengress'