The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-06-09
Correspondence ofthe n. American and U. S. Gazette
WAsgINGroN, May l6, 1913.


Whilst the Locoiocos are effecting 10 rejoice
over the republican revolutions in the old
world, and claiming an exclusive sympathy
with all the liberal movements, their practise
al home is the very reverse of their professions.
The bonds in America are frightened, just in
proportion as they are relaxed in Europe; and
the bEawlers who shout loudest for representa-
tive government in France, are the strongest
boldest advocates for the ONE NAN power in the
United States-the practical friends of despot-
ism and the peculiar defenders of the doctrine
of concentrating authority in the Executive
Department of the Government.
The Presidents paper in discussing the point
in Gen. Taylor's letter to Capt. Allison, which
refers to the veto power, goes one step farther
than has yet been ventured. 1t assumes the
right of the Executive, not only to dictate the
legislation of Congress, but to override its &C.
zion should II attempt to be refractory, BY pas
sing laws not conforInable 10 his pleasure
What is this but an emphatic proclamation in
behalf of the one man power? The principle
at the bottom of our institutions is that the
majority shall govern and that the rights Of
the minority shall be respected. Now let us
take practical illustration of the exercise OF
the veto power by Mr.. Polk, and see how
| it comedies with this democratic feature;
| At the opening of the session, the Presiden,
communicated a message TO Congress, contain
ing the reasons for vetoing the river and har-
Dor bill which had been adopted by a large
majority in both Houses of Congress. In the
face of that message, resolution was adopted
| by the House Of Representatives asserting the
right of Congress to improve rivers and hsrbon
i BY thirty votes more than two-thirds, or l38 tC
i 81. This showed that the action of the Exc
cutive was in direct conflict with the opinion
of the great body of the representatives of tn,
people, and that it was in fragrant violation o
the professed democratic docirine-in word
il was the sic jubco of the President agaiast tn
wishes of the people. Ii this is not despotisn
with vengeance, what is? Again, the tw,
J Houses Of Congress passed bill for the relic
{ of the claimants by French spoliations, an
: MIR. Polk vetoed it without even the semblanc
oil plausabllity. The outrage was withou
precedent as it was without justice, and tn
$ reasons assigned by the President for this big
S handed proceeding were not only dis-ingenu
q Gus, but they were absolutely false. He allies
ed that ,he bill had been adopted hastily an
e without due deliberation when it is notoriou
: that these claims had been before Congress fo
e more than thirty years, that at different time
h they had passed both Houses, and that tn
i plan OF liquidating them through the applics
II ton of public lands, was adopted after Ion
d consultation, and to remove the semblance
y objection TO the adjustment of the long defe
T red rights of the claimants. Whoever befOr
S heard of the Executive interposng a royal pre-
i rogative to arrest the legislation of Congres
e on private claims?
pl la England the Veto power has not been e,
e ercised for three hundred years. If measuI
IS favored by the Government fails, the Ministr
i resign and the popular judgement is respected
is under institutions not claiming TO be libera
le But herein the reputed land of freedom
% with Democratic party In power--the Chi'
IS Magistrate not only refuses TO conform his al
g ministration to the sentiment of the peopl'
4 but he positively discards measureswhich the
70 have adopted by what manner may be just
rs regarded as approaching unanimous vote.
a. In this we see the true contrast betwee
= royalty and republicanism as exemplfied vi
l. der the practice of Locofocos. The King
N Great Britain dare not use his veto again
Y Parliament, and yet our President has the al
e. dacity to set himself up as the Supreme Jude
"a and to pulify by word the joint delberatioi
ne of Congress. For such usupation as this he
he glorifed-for such abuse of power, he is ca
oi ned upon the shoulders of Richie and his sa
r elites; while the votes of the two Houses
to Congresss-representing the people and tn
ST State soverelgnties--are denounced
te "cdicts' by the organ of the President
h. This is your Dcmocracy--this your equal RICH
lie this your Wanted independence
? And now what Locofoco press is there, tn
of has the courage or the honesty to challen,
E. these acts Of the President? They submit lii
ne whipped ours to the ukase from Washingit
o. they bow before the Juggernaul and are wi
o. ling and anxious for the honor of being crushs
re BY its wheels.