The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-30

THE PRESIDENTS VETO MEssAGE.-We
deem it unnecessary to fill our columns with the
Message of President Johnson vetoing the new
Reconstruction Bill inasmuch as it has become
a law notwithst andiDg the veto; but we give be-
low the concluding portion. in which the Presi
dents objections poiutedly stated:
..Within period less than year the legisla
ton of Congress has attempted to strip the exc
cutive department of the Government of some of
its essential powers The Constitution and the
oath provided in it devolve upon the President
the power and the duty to see that the laws are
faithfully executed. The Constitution. in order
to carry out this power. gives him the choice of
the agents. and makes them subject to his con-
troll and supervision. But in the execution of
these laws the constitutional obligation of the
President remains, but the power to exercise
that Constitutional duty is efectualiy taken
away. The military commander is, as to the
power of appointment, made to take the place of
the President and the general of the army the
place of the Senate, and any attempt on the part
of the President to assert his own Constitutional
power may, under pretence of law, be met by
official INSTRUMENTATION. 1t is to be feared that
these military officers, looking to the authority
given by these laws. rather than to the letter of
the Constitution, will recognize no authority but
the commander of the district aud the general of
the army.
If there were no other objection than this to
this proposed legislation it would be sufficient
Whilst hold the chief executive authority of the
United States, whilst the obligation rests upon
to that all the laws are faithfully executed
can never willingly surrender that trust, or the
powers given for its execution.
can never give my assent to be made respon-
sible for the faithful execution of laws and at the
same time surrender that trust and the powers
which accompany it to any other executive off
cer high or low, or to any number of executive
officers.
If this Executive trust, vested by the Consti-
tuition in the President. is to be taken from him
aud vested in subordinate officer. the RESPONSE
bllity will be with Congress in clothing the sub
ordinate with unconstitutional power, and with
the officer who assumes its exercise. This in
reference with the constitutional authority of
the Executive Department., is an evil that will
inevitably sap the foundation of our federal sys
TEN, but it is not the worst evil of this legislation.
1t is great public wrong TO take from the Presi-
dent powers conferred upon him alone by the
constitution. but the wrong is more fragrant and
more dangerous when the powers SO taken from
the President are conferred upon subordinate
ecutive officers, and especially upon military off,
GERS Over nearly one third of the States of the
Union military power, regulated by no fixed law,
rules supreme.
Each one of these five district commanders,
though not chosen by the people or responsible
to them, exercises at this hour more executive
power. military and civil, than the people have
ever been willing to confer upon the head of the
executive department, though chosen by and re-
sponsble to themselves. The remedy must come
from the people themselves. They know what it
is, and how it is to be applied. At the present
time they cannot. according to the Constitution,
repeal these laws; they cannot remove or con-
troll this military despotism. The remedy. never
theless is in their hands; it is to be found in the
ballot, and is one, if not controlled by
fraud, overawed by arbitrary power, or from APP
athy on their part too long delayed. With abid-
ing confidence in their patriotism wisdom. and
integrity. l still hopeful of the future. and
that in the end the rod of despotis will be broken.
the armed rule of power be lifted from the necks
of the people. and the principles of violated
Cons titutiun preserved"