The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-18

merely 70 authentcate the action Of Congress- for he
must exercise an intelligent Judgment Be f.hsss 70
cal duty as to signing bills he Is not to perform mere
mechanical part but is to act and decide and act
eordins to his righteous convictions Of the rghtul
.dents responsibility is to the whole people Of the
Snitsd States as that Of Senator Is to the
i've to the people Of state or aiss4 ss'' and
may be safely assumed that he will not resort to the
clearly defined and unlimited power Of arresang egsla
uon and calling FOR reconsideration OF any measure
cept in obedience to requirements of duty. When how
ever he entertsins decisive and fxed conclusion not
merely Of the unconstutionaity, but OF the impro
Pnety or injustice In other respects Of any measure
he declares that he approves 1T ne Is false to his
Hs be- ss I'd the his ssa'n to
fusal of the United States to satisfy these claims
IS q stain on the Justice Of our country. If
u be SO, the imputation ON the public honor
In aggravated by the consideration that the claims
eoevai with the present century and has been pc.
nstent wrong during that whole period OF time. This
the President teniss new facts not known or not
son or Monroe had since been brought to light or new
sources Of information discovered this would greatly
this nature has occurred. They recognized the
alleged obligation the part Of this TO pay
trolling authority, but fact Of history that these
claims have since existence nation, been
deemed y any President worthy q recom I
tory Of the case, he concludes his message fol-
iowsThis review Of successive treaties between France
and the Emitted States has brought my mind to the
doubling conviction that while the Unired States have
In the most ample and completest manner discharged
their whole duty towards such OF their citizens may
q any time have been aggrieved by the acts of the
French government also, has France as honorably
discharged herself Of all obligations in the premises to-
wards the United States To concede what this bill
snes would be TO mpute undeserved reproach to both
the United States and France am that the bill
proposes to provide for such valid claims
Of citizens Of the United States against France
% shall not have been stipulated for and EN-.
braced In OF the treaties enumerated but In nclu d.
ing such Claims II excludes ALL in fact for which, dur
ing the negotiations, France could be persuaded to
agree that she in anywse liable to the United States
or to citizens What remains and for what the
i've millions appropriately In view of what has been
said, there would seem to be ground on which to
raise liability Of the United States unless it be the
assumption that the United States be considered
the insurers and the guarantor of all claims, of what
ever nature, which any individual citizen may have
against foreign nation.
Mr.. BAyLY said that as little as he was impressed
with The reasoning OF the message, yet friend OF
the administration, and st greater friend Of the veto
be postponed uutii Wednesday, in order in the mean
time, to afford opportunity Of studying the document
and In respect to the President.
Mr. JONES said but twelve legislative days remain
ing and he therefore moved the previous gu eston with
. view Of acting upon the message forthwith
The motion was voted down, 80 to 90.
Several amendments were offered to Mr. Baylys mo-
ton
Mr.. CAMPBELL wished postponement till the Sd
March, The bill could not be passed by constitutional
majority, and foolish waste OF time to debate
It He had respect the President bat no respect
for the principle which sought to strike down the will
Of the people by the veto.
Mr.. BARKsDALE referred to the pressing public bust
ness, and urged action forthwith.
Mr. HUNT was for postponement. The great constitu-
tionsl question Of liberty involved. We're they to
be slaves to Executive power
Further debate ensued but the House adjourned with
cut taking the question it will be the first business
before the House on Monday.