Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1867-01-08


hitting TO the bsllot-Iox new class 1T voters not
qualified for tLe exercise of the elective franchise
We weaken our system Of government, instead of
adding to its strength and durability.
In returning this bill to the Senate, deeply re-
uret that there should be any conflict If opinion
between tho Legislative and Executive Depart
ments Of the Government in regard To measures
that vitality affect tho prosperity and peace of the
couptry. Sincerely desiring to reconcile tho States
with one another, and the whole people to tho CO.
yernmcnt nf tho United States, it has lo,n my
earnest wish to Cooperate with Congress in all
measures having for tl.eir Obj ct proper and com
plriu nai"-tIn4at OF the quc.',iI resulting Iron
our lato ri":! Harmony LntwGep the cG-ordi-
nate branches III the Government, always nacGssa-
~ for the public welfare WAS never moro de-
lnanded than ut the present time, ana ii will
therefore be MY constant aim to promote, ~ far
as possible, concert Of action between them.
Ito differences of opinion That hive nj
ready occurred have rendered me only the more
cautious, lest the Executive should enGroarh upon
any Of the prcrogRtivns of Congress. or, by exceed
Ing in any manner, the constitutional limit OK his
dutios, destroy the equilibrium which should exist
between the several coordinate Departments, ald
which is 30 essential TO the harmonious working Of
the Government. ! know 1t has been urged that
the Executive Department s mure likely 10 enlarge
the sphere of ts action than either Of the other two
branches Of the Government, and especially in tho
exercise of the veto power conferred upon IL ~ mo
Constitution. 1t should he remembered, however.
that this power is wholly negative and conservative
in ts character, and WAS intended TO operate "a
check upon unconstitutional, hasty, and im7rovi-
dent legislation, and as n means Of protection against
invnsions of the just powers Of the Executive and
Judicial Departments. 1t is remarked by Chanccl-
lor Kent thai 40 enact laws is iransccadant pow
err and, if the body that Possesses it be full and
equal representation Of the people, there is danger
of It's pressing with destructive weight npon all
the other parts of the machinery Of government
1t has, therefore, been thought necessary, by the
most skilful and most experienced artists in ;ho
science OF civil polity, that strong barriers
should bo erected for tho protection and security Of
the other necessary powers of the Government.
Nothing has been deemed more fit and e1-
pedient for the purpose than tho provision that the
head OF the Executive Department should be so
constituted 20 10 secure requisite share OF indie
pendeace, and that be should have a negative upon
tho passing Of laws; and that tho judiciary power,
resting On still more permanent basis, should have
the right Of determining upon the validity OF laws
by the standard Of the Constitution"
Tho necessity o! some such check in the bands OF
the Executive is shown by reference 10 the most
ointment writer's upon cur system Of government,
who seem 70 concur in the opinion that cncroach-
nents are most 10 be apprehended from the depart
uenr in which all Legislative powers are vested by
the Constitution, Mr., Madison, in referring to the