The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-17
GEN JEsUP's MEMoIRs.-HIs VIEWS on THE VETO
POWER

We aihouhNfu some Nlft bNh- ~NoNP
in preparing his memoirs for publication He has permit
ted to examine Of the materials which wal be i'm
bodied u his work and we have hesitation in express
ing the opinion that bis memoirs viii be one Of the most
interesting and valuable additions that have been made for
many years historical and political literature His
long public service and bis intimate acquaintance with all
the prominent mem well his close connexon with all
the important events political and military for nearly half
century give him facilities for such work possessed BY
other living lie has enjoyed the confidence Of
every democratic President since Mr. Madison by whom
selected when but youth in years the del
and responsible trust OF proceeding to Hartford and
watching the movements of the celebrated convention
which assembled there in 1912 His memoirs will contain
valuable chapter this convention Our object IN re-
errng to the subject present introduce and com
mend the reader the following letter of Gen Jesup on
the veto ofhe Cumberand-oad BILL in 1922 by Mr. Monroe
which win be found TO be exceedingly able and inter-
esting discussion Of question which is now attracting
public attention
LoUIsyILE, (Ky.) May %, 1922.
My DEAR CoLosEL: You will have seen by the public
journals that the President returned the Cumberland
road bill to the House of Representatives before the close
OF the session. with his objections, which you win find
pretty much described them when ! saw you at
Wheeling my way out
The cabinet when left Washington, was understood to
be divided the majority being opposed the Presidents
views; but entertained not doubt Of his The
members Of the federal party who desire to strong
central government and the constitution enforced it
came from the convention with those among who have
forgotten the ten amendments to that instrument will
grumble and abuse him. but the paper referred in the
message returning the BILL which had the kindness to
allow TO read is sound in its doctrines that
sure it will carry conviction wherever is read and like
the debates in the Virginia convention will become text
book to all who like you and desire the general
government in its proper orbit If it has been pub
lished get it and read it carefully sure you will
like il.
The President seemed anxious for the approval Of his
State but that State, the principles of the
constitution and from that circumstance alone possessing
moral influence than any other FIVE States in the
Union together, will sustain him, and SO will the Ameri-
people.
Mr.. --, am told calls this act "Me exercise Of The
power;" but apprehend that he, like common
law lawyers generally has fallen into the that Con-
gress the only of the people here the
House of Commons is in England Now, every branch of
government is representative. There is strong fam
ly likeness it true, between the forms of the English
government and but there is radical difference in
their principles. Our national constitution compact
between the people of separate and independent commune
ties both individuals and members of those separate
communities, and they who administer the government in
all its the representatives Of those indivd
uals and communities whilst the constitution of England
compact between the sovereign one separate and
independent party and the whole people of England
the other party.
The President represents the people of the United States
in their individual erecuue capacity exactly the
bers of the House of Representatives represent them their
individual legislative capacity He represents the States in
their corporate exeeupe capacity just the Senate repre-
10 IaoeInf
represents both the people and the States fully
petey though in entirely different capacity the two
houses Of Congress together do In the the
national Judiciary represents the people in their individual
judicial capacity and the States in their corporate judicial
capacity.
The sovereign in England represents the only
nothing more; the peers represent themseyes-noboay
else the judiciary represents the sovereign who in theory
least supposed to be present in every court and the
House of Commons is the sole representative Of the people
The sovereign equal and independent party to the
constitutional compact is clothed with certain royal pre-
negatives which PERSONAL and without which the royal
character could not be maintained To preserve and
to the sovereign these prerogaves free from popular
aggression the veto is given and to make it effective it
is absolute. 1t would otherwise be Of no avail.
The President of the United States has prerogaves
he is party to the constitutional compact citizen
only and veto is required TO protect him in the exercise
of his authority the executive representative of the
ton. There is nothing regal about him his Office but
he combines the functions Of both the consul and the
tribune of the people, under the Roman republic Like the
consul he the laws to be enforced commands and
dsposes of the military force controls the civil adminstra
ton and directs the intercourse with foreign nations
the great tribune of the people, he is charged with
power in the formation of the laws equal to senator
and less than twothrds of both houses
of Congress. This high power he is bound to exercise,
not the common-aw lawyers would have it mere
form of Office but in good conscience and in good faith
precisely he is bound honest to exercise any
other power confded to him by the constitution There
is hardship in this but great safety the act is
vave, and is simply appeal where difference of opin-
ion exists among coordinate authorities to the common
constituency-the States and the people.
That such appeal would sometimes be necessary was
place the power of appeal have been the question
1t could not be conferred the Judiciary because that
would have blended the legislative with the judicial func
tons 1t could not be placed in the House of Representa-
tves because that body representing the masses of the
people, and not the States the rights of the small States
might be endangered could it be placed in the hands
Of the Senate because that body representing equally the
States whether large small the interests of the
might be dsregarded 1t was, therefore, wisely confded
fnctonary who would represent both the States and
the people, and who would constantly feel his responsible
ty TO each That this power should not BIO wantonly
without resorted TO, the people and the States
through their constituent assembly The convention declared
that If, full reconsideration by their Legislature repre-
sentative the Congress twothrds Of both houses should
firm what the majority had previously done that arma-
ton should outweigh and control the whole authority