The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-31


tc give liberal and natural Interpretation to
the words Of the constitution. That instrument
oouf.rs on The President the power of vetoIng
bills which he does not approve. The obvious
nssnirg Of this Is, that he shall have power to
veto al distinct measures Of legislation which
be does not approve; and that when two, or ten,
or twenty or hundred euch independent and
distinct measures are comprised within one huge
omnibus bill. he shall have the right of yetoiDg
such of thsm as be disapproves and of giving
effect to The bill as regards al the rest. There
can be no sound practical objection to that. II
is the fair ard Legitimate way of restraining pro-
fIgste legislation. Both houses, on the return of
snca bill, can vote separately on the disap-
PROVED portions, ard override the veto in regard
to such es there may be the constitutional ma.
joritJ in favor Of.
No ore can fail TO zee the necessity for such Al
Interpretation Of the veto clause as we advocate.
II the Attorney General be OF opinion that this
desirable construction cannot be put upon the
veto clause in the constitution, Law should be
Immediately passed to explain or amend it in
that serse. That done, and with such man as
Mr., Buchanan in the Presidential chair the cor
rupt installations of the Mattesons, Stewards ard
Weeds viii become comparatively harmless
GREAT BRITAIN AND HER CoLoSiEs-A PoIICY
THAT AcTs Born WAYs-H appears by the
PeIsia's mails that the Colonial Office in England
has Issued y circular to the Governors of the
British colonies, calling on them to look to the
defence of their provinces and mot to neglect
that reasonable amount Of warlike preparation
which it is desirable should be everywhere main
tanned" The Barnacles at the head OF the Colo
Mai Department eeem, like their kinsnen in the
Circumlceutios Office, to have sort of dual
theory TO the nature of their Official RESPONSE
biiities. When no danger threatens the i'm
portant interests confided to their care, they OPP
press them by the weight Of their protection and
worry them by the inccseant vigilance of petty
surveillance, extending to the most minute details
of official routine. The colonies at such times
are treated like infants whom an over anxious
and tender parent breads to see walk alone. It
would, of course, be ungenerous to insinuate that
the patriotic officials belonging to the one or two
noble families who have managed to make
q pa.1imony of the Colonial Ofsce for
the last quarter Of century, have
any direct interest in maintaining the
system of checks and klsdfAnces by which the
colonial policy of Great Britain has been trad.
tionaaly bampered Ne only refer to that sys
tenn as being somewhat out Of character with the
circular just issued. Eoglaad seems, in fact, at
The present moment, to be,disposed to treat her
colonies pretty much as a. step-lnother would be
1ispoeed to treat the incuEbrances palmed apon
her by hasty and indiscreet choice. When her
own immediate troubles press upon her she gives |
hem o kick and shove, and roughly tells shem |
o 90 and provide for themselves.
This is no new principle of action with Great
Britain in respect to her colonies There was a
lime when she even pushed it to the extent of |
isking- one Of the triple gera that decorate her
rown. When, 10 1882, her coasts were threatened |
With invasion, she left the Irish, whom she had |
alwsy treated as conquered race, and who had |
but liale reason to fsA any consideration fer her
sments, to provide means for their
own protection. Had tie volunteers oS 's2
been aetuatcd by less generosity AID
more uneompromising spirit of patriotism, they
would have ayailed themselves of the oppoFtu-
nifty thus afforded them Of exsorting by force Of
arms TIE rights that nearly half century after
Tards were so reluctantly conceded. In our own |
lime we have witnessed similar instances CT ten
Ter selioitude on the port os Great Brita:a to-
wards her colonies. Daring the Russian war,
Canada that favorite subject Of governmental ex-
-. 10 IT,
which had been tortured. into rebellion by too
mu N pgotcction-was left 20 take care of itself,
The Bsi.ish troops being required to defend, Turk
ish interests on the shores of the Black Sea. II
Is to be hoped that the more general adcption of
the plan OF letting the colonies help themselves
in critical times, as announced by this circular,
will be followed up by it's na.ural corollary-a
on the part Of Great Britain to
give full development to the principle of self.
in all her dependencies. Unless she
does this, she may rest assured that the latter
will not rest satis6ed with being made the scape-
goats OF 30 capricious and inconsistent policy
as she has hitherto pursued.
THE FusIoSs Am. CONFUSION or PAarIEs-The
fact that the late great American party
Of New York is in the market and
selling of to. the highest bidder, throws
The results Of our November election into
a delightful state of confusion. In this city
a treaty Of analgamation between the Know
Notbings and republicans has been concluded,
the ratification of which may involve some very
interesting Developments Of the strength CT the
united democracy and the weakness of an at
tempted mixing Of oil and water. In the inte.