Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-01-24
NO. 4S.

The primary inducement TO conferrin9
the power in question upon the Executive
is, to enable him 10 defend himself; the se4
condary is, TO Increase the chances in favor
of the community against the passing oi
bad laws, through haste, inadyertance, OF
design. The oitener measure is brought
under examination, the greater the diversity
in the situation of those who are 10 examins
it, the less must be the danger Of those err
rors which flow from want Of deliberatian.
or of those missteps which proceed from
the contagion of some common passion OF
interest. 1t is far less probable that culpa.
BILE views of any kind should iniest all the
parts Of the Government at the same mo-
ment, and in relation to the same object,
than that they should by turns govern anq
mislead them ALL -[Federalist, No. IL. :
Story, in the Preface to his great work on
the Constitution, thus speaks of the FEEDER
alist:"-
From two great sources, however, have
drawn by far the greatest part Of my most
valuable material. These are the Federal.
ist-an incompatible commentary of three
of the gteatest statesmen of their age; and
the extraordinary judgments of Mr., Chie!
Justice Marshall upon constitutional law
The former have discussed the structure
aud organization of the National Govern
ment, in all It's departments, with admira,
ble tullness and force.
Mr.. Chancellor Kent says
There is no work on the subject of tho
Constitution, and on Republican and Fed
erai Government generally, that deserves
to be more thoroughly studied. Nc
Constitution Of Government ever received
a more mastery and successful vindication,
l know not, indeed, of any work on the
principles OF free government, that is TO be
compared, in instruction and intrinsic val
ue, 10 the small and unpretending volume of
the Federalist, not even five resort TO Aris-
totle, Cicero, Machiavel, Motesquieu, Mil,
ton, Locke, or Burk. II is equally admira.
bic III the depth oI Its wisdom, the compre-
hensivencss Of It's views, the sagacity of its
reflections, aud the iearlessness, patriotism,
can1or, simplicity, and elegance with which
It's truths are uttered and recommended
Mr.. Justice Story acted wisely in making
the Federalist the basis Of his Commentary,
T lst, Kent, 2J6.
If the objects Of the veto be correctly sta-
ted in the Ftderalist, as above quoted, twas
wrong in the Houses TO dispense with read
ing the Governor Message, containing his
objections 10 the bill. Being coordinate
branch Of the Government, and, (using the
idea of the Fsderalist) occupying diverse
situation, his objections cOnstitutionally,
were entitled 10 consideration. The lettes
o. the Constitution may not require it, but il
the FederliSt is true, its reason does. They
are to accompany the bill 10 the House in
which it originated, and are 10 be sent with
it 10 the other house, if it goes there
What for? Simply TO be entered on their
Journal? Or 10 be read and considered as
the views of coordinate branch Of tbs
Government, ''to increase the chances in ia
vor of the community against the passing of
bad laws, through haste, inadvertence os'
design? The veto can increase these chan.
ces in one of two ways only: by changing
the minds of members; or, entered at large
on the Journals, deterring them by the fea.
Of popular Indignation. Ii not read, the
minds Of members caDn9t be changed, and II
not entered on the Journals before recon,
sideratiOn, they cannot be deferred. The
power that keeps them from the Journals
before reconsideration, can keep them from,
the Journals atterward. One, or the other,
if not both, must be done, or the Federalis;
deserves not the high co!nmendation Ct Sto-
ry and of Kent.
Story having made the Feieralistthe basis
Of lis Commentary, Of course agrees with it
He says:
The power is important, as an additional
security against the enactment of rash, i'm
mature, and improper laws. 1t establishes
a salutary check upon the legislative body,
calculated 10 preserve the community against
the effects Of faction, precipitation, gpcon-
stituticnal legislation, and temporary ex-
citement, as well as political hostility
| Commentary on the Constitution, Sec. SS5
Rawle, speaking Of the objections of the
President, and their entry on the Journal,
says
These objections are 10 be entered at large
on their Journal, and the House is then To
proceed to reconsider the bi,l,-[ Raple on
The Constitution, 81,
Story is still more explicit.
If he disapproves of it, he returns it 10
the House in which it originated, with his
objections. Here they are entered at large
on the journal, and afterwards the House
proceed 10 consideration Of them.-[ Com.
R'entary, Sec. 500.
Kent, if possible, is more so. In contras-
ting an absolute and qualified negative, hs
saysi ....
A qualified negative answers all the saIuv
tary purposes of an absolute one, for il is
not TO be presumed that two-ihirds Of both
Houses Of Congress, on reconsideration,
,oith the reasoning cfthe Prssideat in oPposi-
Hon 10 The bill spread al large upon their
] Iournalz will ever cnDaur IN anu ,noousft