The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-05
THE VETO.

THE VETO.
The tendency to loose legislation is a monster evil
of the times 1t displays itself frequently in the
most attractive disguise The ingenuity of able and
experienced ntcects is constantly taxed to override
to evade the barriers erected by the trainers of the
constitution We have the idea Of regulator Of the
exchanges in the shape Of great bank brought forward
amid the applause Of the most intelligent communities de-
handing it the ground Of its being vitality
tal to the public veal and certifying their appeals with
the opinions the first constitutional lawyers in the
country Sometimes the design takes the shape Of bank
rupt law backed by cloud of legal authorities and
tanned by distinguished advocates high tariff has always
fayo,e panacea Of these political doctors No other
stronger for long time in the interests and
had wengh said affections of large class Of people
than this. 1t backed by precedent by local
prises by sympathy for labor and by assumed rivalry
with foreign nations and powerfully and cnergcicay
defended One after the other these projects have been
abandoned but the spirit of loose legislation and
stutional schemes is as rife
All these attempts to egsate for class to
age expenditures of the public money to nnli the
practical meaning Of the constitution are have said
made the dangerous by the prctex the belief 1--WE
care not how false or how sincere the motive that
the particular proposition is intended to help tao
masses to carry out benevolent object When the
principle is destroyed when the buwark Of the eonsu
ton is utterly broken down. and the tide OF loose and
demorazing enacments carries to pcrncous the
worst schemes of personal and local speculation it viii
not compensate to the people now, to the people to
that the purposes Of those who set the bad
pie highly pious and patriotic.
The message Of President Pierce published in our col
yesterday morning, returning with his objections
the bill which passed both houses Of Congress few days
sgo entitled AN act making grant Of public lands the
several States for the benefit of INDECENT insane persons
suggests not only such reflections these but revvcs the
history to all men, of the dangers which constantly bee
the people in these demonstrations upon the carefully
defined guarantees Of the constitution The lucd distinct
and straightforward summary OF his opinions upon the
single proposition TO which he objects, constitutes il
were chart by which wemay guide footsteps through
all the devious ways Of corrupt deceptive schemng II
is Of those od-shoncd documents the practical force
Of which fails confound opposition II points
the path must pursue II would be faithful to
pledges The disciples Of constitutional principles Is
grateful task to be called upon resist the
ton of work which is dedicated the lofty purposes ofs
general charity and yet the success Of which inaets
deep wound upon that noble fabric which stands
great fortress between the and their gavest
rights and the devices and ambitions of those active
and msIecping organizations which know the weakness
Of human nature and aspire also ascertain the weak
ness Of the American constitution.
The question Of the disposition and management Of the
public lands is closely interwned with the whole system
Of our fundamental law. Unbapply while the millions q
Of land, secured by the common blood and com
an -
and o. the progress and prosperity Of the
country in time Of peace, they constitute the w.
rious and increasing combinations Of men who think
class legislation the only real object human government
tempting field Tor every variety Of local sectional per
sona benevolent and " you please visionary cxpedsn
II Is nothing to such that they ask what cannot b,
given without breach Of faith or violation Of compact
without opening the door with bad precedent through
which Of evils are to pour upon our country
They the prospect from one point Of ricw-cth that
Of selfish interest o Of mistaken philanthropy.
The val ne Of such document as that Of the veto
cage Of Fra nklin Pierce win not be estimated By such
mon But IL will be welcomed by the people who reed
and think for themselves, and who are not apt 70 be
long med by the fascinating schemes Of The day Our
eonstt uion is volume easily read and understood sa
hard 70 sand w vndv pressure Of corrupt cneYriso
and more naH ~ aggina The Hand,shwens Of hon p@
yuriaingiy osk rs rioiahon IN ne n humanity Gen
eral Jackson, when be applied the fearful eauiery 70
growing cancer uponAe government denounced with
inplacable and unextnguishable hatred But before he
died he his country prospecting under the very exam
pie which he set in the midst Of caumny and Of olamor
with his follower and his friend the present Executive
Of the United States. Tho motive animstes the one
which inspired and immortalzed the other
We cannot more fifty close this review Of the messaged
the President without extracting the following passage
forcible, 80 pertinent and 80 true:
readily, and trust recingly acknowledge the duyn
cumbent all, and citizens, and the
highest and hoiet Of duties provide for those who
IN the mysterious order ~ Providence subject to want
and TO disease o. body mind but cannot find suho
y in the constitution for making thefedra government ne
great moner o. public charity throughout the United States
To do 20 would, in my Judgment be contrary to the letter
aud spirit Of the constitution and bverve Of the whole