Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-04-20

matters that belong exclusively to congress
Peraom PhGnir
In our last paper, we replied 10 portion Of
some remarks of the Vermont Phrnix respect
ing the vacuity Of positive ideas in the Presi-
dents inaugural Address. We were compelled,
however, to leave some thoughts unexpressed'
aud take occasion now TO complete what we de-
sired to say then.
The Phmuix quotes the sentence which stands
above, and follows il with the question also
above.
In our remarks last week, We showed that the
duty Of the President to recommend measures
TO Congress, was in fact n part Of legislation.
II is the duty Of originating governmental mca-
sures and was laid upon the President very
properly, inasmuch as bis position gives him a
more intimate knowledge Of the situation and
wants Of the country than any member Of the
two Houses, who is half the time away from the
seat Of government and absorbed IN private
cares.
We now go step further, and assert that the
President is by the constitution necessarily leg.
islator, in the passage of every act that becomes
a law. No bill can become law without his
signature, unless by Congressional majority Of
two TO one after he has refused his signature.
In deciding whether TO sign bill or not, he is
expected by the Constitution to act independents
ly and freely, to weigh all considerations for and
against the measure, and then 10 act agreeably
10 the decisions Of his own mind. lie Is not 10
be governed by the opinions Of others, whether
in Congress or out. Undoubtedly great defer
ence should be paid to the act Of Congress, as
Difference would be due to the combined opin.
ions Of any body Of respectable and intelligent
men representing large constituencies and varied
Interests but il is evidently contemplated in
the Constitution that he shall be his own Judge,
and act with the same freedom from external in.
huences that members of either House do. Nor
is he TO con6ne himself 20 tho considerations
touching the constitut onality Of measures lie
may take into account their expedcncy as well
as their consiiiuiionali,y. And when he has
thus deliberaied and decided, IL he approves
bill, he rotes tor Il, by attaching his sgnaiurc Il
his decision be adverse, be rctcy against Il by
Withholding his signature, aud returning the bill
to the House in which il originated. Now this is
iegisiotion, and il is made the Presidents day to
exercise il. lie may choose to be an auiomaion
by surrendering his RICH, Of delibcraiion and
private Judgment hut he violates the Con titu
ton in 70 doing That regards the President a.
n man in the responsible exercise Of all the At
iribaies Of manhood, aud whatever Chief Msgis-
trate commits his conscience 10 Congressional
keeping, quietly discharcing the duties Of Ger.
ifying clerk, with no intelligent convictions A.
to the propriety or Improperly OF the acts he i.
legalizing, does not fill the constitutional idea OF
President.
The idea Of Gen. Taylor, then, What the Pre-.
sident is no, a legislator, is seen 10 be conirar,
10 the Constitution. He may degrade himself
from man to an instrument, il he pleases, and
shirk his responsibility, as members Of Congress
sometimes dodge but he conirayenes the Con
stitulion in so doing. That has made him q
legislator; and the Senate would violate its re
quirements little less by tame Submission 10
the edicts Of the House. than would be BY an
undiscriminaiing clerical sanction Of all the acts
Of Congress.
In these remarks we express no opinion of the
propriety or Improperly Of the yesing Of such,
powers in the President we simply state what
those powers and duties are.
With few words upon the significant qucs
ton propounded above by the Phoenix, We will
close.
The inference from that question that It is Of
no consequence what the Presidents views are
Is one Of the most dangerous hcresier Of the
times. Never, ill the necessity of inventing
excuses for the support Of a man who was the
representative Of the slaveholders' interests, and
Of binding ones eyes TO the consequences, could
Wings be brought to advocate the notion thai
the character of the very fountain and sea OF
political influence in our county, is a matter Of
Indifference. Even If the incumbent snpposes
be is not a legislator, he can do more by the ex-
ercise Of his influence than any ten or twenty
members Of Congress. 1t has been said that
Gen. Tay lor would not employ this influence,
and such has been the public alteration of bis
heroism in blood, that, notwithstanding his self
conviction of insincerity, not TO say of untruth,
in his first Allison letter, he has been spontane-
ously invested, in the imagination OF thousands.
with panoply Of honesty which would compel
him to abstain from all interference, direct or
indirect, and remain totally uninteresied spec
taior Of the doings OF Congress, with pen in
hand ready TO give the legal sanction 10 whaiev-
or he is hidden. There was indeed no evidence
that he possessed this superatve honesty but
enthusiasm spurns evidence, and party exigcn-
cy was efficient where enthusiasm failed. But
Gen. Taylor is man like other men. lie is
not exempt from human weakness or secure
against the force of temptation. lie has already
destroyed this expectation by labcring 10 in
duce members Of Congress to vote for Caliior-
MIA government, and so successful were bis first
efforts, that in one day he could boast Of half a
dozen conqnesis in favor of Walkers amend
ment- and this before he was in Office. az such
the infant, what will the giant be y Since his
accession, he has had no occasion TO button-h hole
Congressman, but he has issued bis decree Of
prescription against all who shall dare TO agitate
tho Free Soil question and make il essential TO
the adoption Of a territorial government. lie
threatens them with his indignant ffown. Of
course, those who prove plant may expect his
gracious smiles. Now executive frowns and
smiles are the implements Of despotism. They
are corrupt implements too, and the very ones
against the use of which by Democratic admins
trations, the Wings have long and loudly pro-
tested. Who does not remember their Just and
vehement dcnunciations of Mr. Polk, for refus-
ing the post office or some other advertising to
an Ohio publisher because he was friend of
the Wilmot Proyiso? And now that Gen. Tay-
Tor tells us that he shall "follow in the footsteps
of his illustrious predecessor" shall we see them
true to their former professions or will they nd
here to that vicious error that the Presidents
private opinions are Of no consequence, and sus-
tain him in his proscriptive course9 We hope
the former; but we confess our hopes are much
diluted by our fears american Republic.
FLoGGNG NEEDLRss.-E. Jones, Captain
U. $. Revenue Marine, says, in a letter to Hon.
Daniel Webster
81 have had, think, ample experience in
every branch Of military service, viz, the Army,
Navy, and Revenue Marine. have held u COM
mission for nearly so years q am now 5i) and
have consequently been clothed during that time