The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-25

SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH rs, Is4s



reply to article of few days ago. relative the
qualified veto and the power OF the Supreme Court 10
pronounce final and binding decisions upon all questions
of constitutional construction. We notice the editorial
fthe "News" not because of any argument which it
contains but because il repeats the false and faacous
assertions which have fallen beautifully from the
wing party since the appearance of the first Allison letter
We do not think it necessary expose the idea that un-
der the democratic doctrine, power raised up
in the country. The democratic party but repeat the
words OF the constitution, and demand of the President
10 discharge the duties which that instrument imposes
upon him. If this be monarchical doctrine, then the
wise who framed the fundamental law are answer
able for the sin. The imperative command of the con-
stuon is, that the Presdent-the representative of the
people and of the Sates-shall exercise his Judgment in
approving or disappearing each and every bill which
may pass the two houses OF Congress; and com
mands him. if he disapproves of any one of them,
to return with his objections to the house in which
it originated. No read the instrument on which
our institutions are based and deny this truth The wing
party do deny but they stgmatise the one man
power, which may strike down the liberties of the people
1t is not the powert is the power of the people
and of the Saes which be exercised by their repre-
sentayes not pass any law not to violate by egisa-
but only prevent in certain cases, positive enacments
and TO curb the mischevous legislation OF bare majority
of the Congress of the United States
The liberties of the people can be stricken down, and
their rights tramped under foot only by positive enact
ments passed by the law making power and executed by
the law enforcing powers of the government The Pres
dent of the United States cannot, by the aid of his quail
fled veto pass any law he only when the majority of
both Houses does not reach two thirds prevent the pas
sage OF laws The President is presumed to be states
man entertaining certain opinions questions of public
policy known TO the people This is violent pre-
SUMPTION we admit, in the OF General Tay lor But
nevertheless, in country with popular govern
ment, and with Legislators who only in repre-
sentative capacity, the President is presumed to be
statesman entertaining certain opinions questions of
public policy known to the people Those opinions
sanctioned by the people and the States when they elect
him. He-a servants bound therefore, to sus,
tain the decision pronounced by sovereign States and by
sovereign citizens by exercising all the power which the
constitution gives him for that purpose And in doing So
he obeys, his individual will but the will of those
who clothed him with power. In performing this task,
he does not establish power, but vindcates
the power of the electors whose trustee and servant he
is They who wish to strike down the veto power are
those who wish TO steal power from the people and place
i: in the hands OF few for they desire to fetter
known to the constitution, the only officer who is elect
ed by all the people having any Influence the legs-
ation of the federal government A member of Con-
gress is elected by prescribed districts and the of
those districts alone control his action Other
s,uencies have power him, and in no way
influence him. Each senator, in the way, is elected
by and represents particular State Neither the people
nor the legislatures of the other twenty States of
the confederacy have any voice in the matter for he is
not considered their representative. The trainers of
the constitution did not fail to that with national
Legislature thus constituted, particular States having
majority the Senate and in the House of Representa-
tves, would inevitably combine together and, regard
less of constitutional restraints would plumber and op.
press the rest of the Union Such combination would
be inevitable, but that check placed upon the
power of majority of Congress- in order 10 protect that
portion of the people who represented by minority
of that body from injustice and wrong. That restraint
is the qualified veto of the President and he is bound
by his official oath to exercise it, in order to maintain
protect and defend the rights and interests of the States
and of the people, they guaranteed by the pro-
visions of the constitution In placing his construction
on that instrument he may look with Difference TO the
decisions of the Supreme Court but he is not to regard
them as binding upon him. That body, august as it
is, is not empowered to dictate to him, and to the
members of Congress- He, and they, have con-
stituencies different from the judges of the Supreme
Court, to whom they amenabe The federal leaders
wish to sAe the voice OF those constituencies, so that
they can utter no word to their representatives, or
through their representatives, any question OF cons
rational construction Under the dspensation, such
questions are to be taken away from the people John
Doe and Richard Roe, in person, by their attorneys
may argue 'case in law or equity arising under the
constitution" two hours each, in the basement of the
Capitol; and then must be decided by majority OF
nine judges This is right and proper far the par
ties plaintiff and defendant concerned but when that
decision is to be regarded final and authoritative ex
position of the constitution, binding upon all the people
and all the representatives of the people part of the
instrument ITSELF the nature of our institutions will have
been radically changed
General Taylor has taken the oath to maintain, pro-
tect, and defend the constitution of the United States
The Judges OF the Supreme Cour have done no more
and there is provision of that instrument rule of
morality, which substitutes their oaths for his. True,
they are worthy OF all confidence They constitute an
able learned and virtuous body; but yet, above
Them and above the President and above Congress- are
the sovereign States Of this Unon and the sovereign peo
pie who inhabt them They the owners of this gov
eminent, and have voice in its administration, con-
toed only by the selfimposed restraints of the cons