Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-11
Revolutionary.

The New York HorId, in discussing in ad
vance the probability that the Civil Rights
bill would be passed over the Presidents veto,
used the following threatening language:
1.-The radicals are in most deadly earnest.
There can be no doubt that the President is.
II they pass unconstitutional laws over his veto,
ne will not feel bound 10 execute them. JEFF
ierson long ago taught that the executive de-
partment must interpret the constitution for
itself in matters pertaining to It's own func-
tons Jackson repeatedly acted on that max
I'M. The President is sworn to support the
constitution When any law clearly conflicts
with II, he must, of necessity, choose between
the two Inc inferior law must yield to the
superior"
II j. the Presidents duty to see that erery
iGt0 of the United States is executed. He i.
the head OF the executive power of the nation
and Is sworn to uphold the laws of the land
Ii Is no excuse for him that, in mis- Judgment
the law Is unconstitutional. The Constitution
and the laws provide how that question can be
raised in the courts, and settled by the courts
The President mas an undoubted right to veto
Il biil because ne thinks it conflicts with the SUI
supreme law. The same constitution, however
declares that two-ihIds of both Houses o.
Congress may pass bill over his veto, anc
maze II the law of the land in spite of his ob.
jections. The President having exhausted his
power to nulIlfy such legislation, it then be-
mes Just much law of the land as though
1t mad received his approval. If the President
should refuse to execute law which had been
passed over his veto, he would be Just as cupa-
be a. though be refused to execute law which
he mad approved In either case he rebels
against the aw by refusing to Cbey it.
Where the President has an option--like the
alternative Of signing or vetoing a bill-he
must then JUDGE the Constitution for him> elf
But as the executor of the laws when have
been passed in a constitu ional manner, he has
no option If ne should refuse to execute the
law, there is no remedy except impeachment
W hen be refuses to execute the law he be.
COO Is an usurper, and Just much worse
than rebel, as the example of disobedence to
.Aw IN the chief magistrate is more pernicious
than such disobedience In private citizen.
We have lao idea, however, that President
johnson will follow the advice of such revolt
tionary cisorganlzers as the WorLd, who would
have him. in the interests of the Democratic
party, make himself absolute despot. He
knows what disobt dience to law has brought
upon the Southern people, and he will not
give an example of it in the executive office.
II he believes 2 law unconstitutional be will
allow the question, in the usual course OF legal
proces ding-, to be tested in the courts, and
abide faithfully by their decisions. If he should
not do this, he would be just much an
usurper though he should scatter Congress
at the point Of the bayonet, and proclaim his
absolute will the supreme law. If he should
attempt that-as he will not, and has no desire
tC-he would fad that the United States are
not France. non the will of one man yet the
supreme law OF this republic.