The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1849-01-05
Presidents MESSAGE .
Feliow Ciiixrns ofAe Srnofe

cal system Of finance continued Snd con
troled solely by the ;the consti
tutional currency has been restored;ihe pub
hc credit mai aimed .nn ,even in a
period ef foreign war; and the whole
country has become satisfied that banks
National or State, are not necessary as
fiscal agents of the government. The
revenue duties have taken the place of Q
protective tariff. The distribution of the
money derived from the sale of the pub.
lie lands, have been abandoned, and the
corrup'ing systems of internal improve.
men,s, i, Is hoped, has been effectually
checked.
1t is not doubted, that Of this whole
train Of measures, designed to take from
the many and restore il TO the few, were
10 prevail. the effect would be to change
the entire character Of the government.
One only danger remains. it is the rednc-
tion of that branch of the system, which
consists in internal improvements, holding
out as it does, inducements to people of
particular sections and localities to EN-
bark the government in them, without
stopping to calculate the inevitable con.
so intimately combined with the others,
that, as surely as an effect is produced by
an adequate cause, that if it be resusci-
lated and firmly established, it reqnires
no sagacity to fotesee that il neccessa.
rily draws after it the re-establishment of
National bank, the revival Of a pro-
tective tariff, the ds,ribution of the land
money, and not only the postpouement to
a distant future of the payment of the
present National debt, but its annual in.
crease.
/ entertain the solemn conviction that
il the internal Improvement branch Of
the american system be not firmly re
sisted a. tbs time, the whole series of
measures comprising it will be speedily
established, and the country will be
thrown back from its present high state
Of prosperity which the existing policy
has produced, and be destined again to
witness all the evils, commercial revolu-
tions, depression Of prices and pecuniary
embarrassments through which we have
passed during the last twenty five years.
To guard against consequences so ru-
inous. is an object of high national i'm
portance, involving 10 my judgment, the
continued prosperity of the country.
have felt it to be an important ohli-
CATION TO withhold my constitutional
sanction from two bills which had passed
the two branches Of Congress, involving
the principle of the Internal Improve
ment branch of the 'American system
and conflicting in their provisions with
these views.
This power. conferred upon the Presi-
dent by the constitution, | have. on three
occasions. during my administration of
the executive department Of the govern
ment, deemed il my duty ia exercises and
on this last occasion o. making to Con
gress an annual conimu ication on the
state Of the Union, ii is not deemed inap-
propriate TO review the principles and
consid erati lions which have governed my
actions. deem this the more necessary
because, after a lapse Of nearly sixty
years since the adoption of the Constilu-
tion, the propriety of the exercise of this
undoubtedly constitutional prwer by the
ID o,.I S,a. foc No
drawn seriously in question by portion
OF my fellow citizens. Article "A Of the
provided that every bill
which shall have passed the House Of Rep
and the Senate, shall, before
II becomes law, be presented to the
President of the United States; if he sp-
proves, he shall sign it; but if not, he
shall return ii with his objectio to that
House 10 which it shall have originated.
W no shall enter the objections at large on
their Journal, and proceed TO reconsider
it,
The preservation Of the constitutiou
from infraction, is the Presidents high.
est duty. lie is bound to discharge that
duty. at whatever hazard of incurring
the displeasure OF those who may differ
with him in opinions. lie is bound to
it. as well by his obligations to
the people who have chosen him TO this
exalted trust, as by bis oath of Office,
which he may not disregard. Nor are the
obligations of the president in any de
gree lessened by the prevalence of views
different from his own, in one or both
Houses of Congress. 1t is not alone has
~ and inconsiderate' legislation that be
is required to check, but if at any time
Congress shall, after apparently cool de.
liberation. decide on measures which be
ms subversive of the constitution, or
If The vital interests of the couutry. il is | ,