The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1849-01-05

pass away: but if the people settle down
into 6rm conviction different from that
of their Representatives., they give effect
70 their opinions BY changing their pubs
Iic servants. The checks which the peo~
pie impose OH their public servants, 10 the
adoption OF the constitution, are the best
evidences of their capacity for selfgov-
ernment. They know that the men whom
they elect TO public stations are Of like
tnfirni'ies aud passions with themsel les,
and not be trusted without BEING restrict
ed by CO. ordinate authorities, and cons
stitHtional limitations. Who, that has
seen the legislation of Congress for the last
thirty years, will say that he knows of no
instance in which measures not dematid-
ed by the public good hate been carriedt
Who will deny that, 10 the State govern.
ments; by combinations of individuals
and sections, in derogation o f the general
interests, banks have been projected
repressirg their growth and impairing
their energies for years TO come!
After so much experience it cannot be
said that absolute, unchecked power is
safe in the hands Of any one set of repre-.
sentatisss, OF that the capacity of the
people for self goSernment, which Is sd
mitted in its broadest extent, is con-
elusive argument to prove the pruuence,
wisdom and integrity Of the representa-
tives.
The people, by the constitution have
commanded the President, as mrch as the )
have commanded the legislative branch Of
the government, to execute their will
They have said to him in the constitution :,
which they require he shall take a solemn
oath to support, that if Congress pass any
bill which he shall not approve, She shall re-
turn it to the House in which it or iglna.
ted, with his objections 10 withhold.
ing from it his approval and signature, he
is executing the will Of the people consti.
tulonally expressed, as much as the Con-
gress that passed it. No bill is presumed
to be in accordance with the popular will
until ii shall have passed through all the
branches of the government required by
the constitution to make it a law. A bill
which passes the House of Representa>'
tives may be rejected by the Senate. aud
SO bill passed by the Senate may be res.
jected by the House. In each case the
respective houses exercise the veto pow
er on the other.
Gong Fess, and each House of Congress,
hold under the constitution check upon
the President, and he, by the power of
the gu allied veto, a check upon Congress.
When the PRESIDENT recommends meas
ures TO Congress-; he avows, in the most
solemn form, his opinion. gives his voice
in their favor, and pledges himself in ad-
vance to approve them if passed by Con.
gress. lfhe acts without die GoDsidera.
ton, or has been Influenced by improper
or corrupt molives-or il from any other
cause Congress, or either house of Con.
gress, ehaIl differ with him 10 opinion
they exercise their veto upon his recon-
and reject them; aud there is
no appeal from their decision, but 10 the
people at the ballot box. These are pro-
per checks upon the Executive, wisely
lnterposed by the constitution. None
" i'll be found to object to them. or to wish
Them removed. 1t is equally important
that the constitutional check1 of the Ex-
eculise upon the Legislative branch should
be preserved.
If il is said that the representatives. in
he popular branch of Congress are chosen
irec'ly by the people, il IS answered,
he people elect the Presfden Ii both
houses represent the States and the peo,
yle, so does the President: The Presi-
lent represents in the executive depart
nent the whole people of the United
States, as each member Of the legislative
department. represents portions of them.1
The doctrine Of restriction upon legis-
ative and executive power, while well
et,Ied public opinion is enabled within
reasonable time to accomplish its ends.
'as made our country what it Is, and has
'pened to us cureer of glory and happi |
less to which all other nations have been
trangers.
In the exercise of the power of the ve-
o, the President is responsible not only
o an enlightened public opinion, but to
he people of the whole Union, who eIec-
ed him, as the representatives in the leg
slstive branches, who differ with him in
pinion, are responsible to the people of
articnlar States, or districts, who com
ose their respective constituencies. To
eny TO the President the exercies of this
over. would be to repeal that provision
the constitution which coDfers it upon
im. To charge that its exercise uuduly
ontrols the legislative will is to complain