The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-09

man is more than many men; that the
liberty OF the people are less than the
viii of one man; that one man sur
to arrive at more intelligent under
standing of principles, than viii the im-
mediate representatives OF the people,
comings directly from them. He did
not believe that one head was heavier
than two hundred; that Andrew John
son was greater than the Senate. It is
only owing to the fact that eleven States
are unrepresented that Andrew John
son does not rule Congress. What is
wanted of the President is to only in
quire what is the law and execute it.
1t is remarkable that while the veto
power is entirely consistent with the
mOnarchical Government, 1t has not
been employed in England for CEN
tury and half, and it would nearly
cost Victoria her crown to veto the will
of the people. But over here, where
1t is in direct violation of the spirit of
the Constitution, we can have a little
veto every morning, and sometimes
two of them. 1t Is because we are used
to 1t. But the legislative bodies of Eng
land are inferior to the Congress of the
United States, and while the one is
never vetoed the other is constantly
vetoed; though in one case consonant
with the Government, and in the other
directly opposed to it.
The argument for this veto power is
that there must be check; that with
out II, ,majorities may be arbitrary. But
II fthey are ever arbitrary, it is to those
who are not represented. II a remedy
Is wanted, make the Government i'm
partial to all citizens. But if a check is
wanted, it is found in the Supreme
Court, much better than the "humble
Individual" or in any one individual.
Another theory to do away is secret
diplomacy in time of peace; and anoth-
er is to abolish the Vice Presidency.
We have been unlucky in our Vice
Presidents. We don't need any; he is
useless and dangerous. Man is human.
Ambition Is ambition; history is con-
stantly repeating itself; for the crown
men have murdered their monarchs; no
crime has been too great. Not crown
IN Europe has not at some time been
stained with blood by its successor. The
Vice President is separated from the
summit of his ambition only by the life
OF one man, and separated only by the
thin wall OF assassination. How easy
1t would be for defeated party to sur
round him after an election and inquire
how he would administer the Govern
ment If, in the course of Providence,
the President should be removed, then
how easy, IT desired, to secure the as
sassinaIion7 and then when that is
promises. Not one of our Vice Presi-
dents who has succeeded to the Presi-
dency has adhered to the platform on
which he WAS elected. Fillmore was
elected as an Abolitiouist, but as soon
as Taylor was removed, ne betrayed his
party and followed out the wishes of
the shareholders. Harrison died as
soon as he was seated in the chair, and
Tyler succeeded, and he threw himself
into the arms of the slave power. Bu-
chanan was poisoned, that Breckin-
ridge strong young Shareholder,
might succeed. But the poison failed
because il met its match.
Then Abraham Lincoln was elected
with Andrew johnson, and every one
would have said that the latter was the
stronger Abolitionist of the two. He
swore to make trerson odious and TO
hang the convicted traitor. The speak
er believed that Andrew johnson was
as well known to the traitors then as he
is known to us now. He would not
say that Johnson knew that Lincoln
Was to be murdered. There are several
mysterious things about it-Johuson
being so intimate with Wilkes Booth
and others, but he would not attempt to
follow out this idea.
1t was asked if there be no Vice
President, what should we do in case the
President should die. That was the
point that he would be far less likely to
die. And he was not sure that we
might not get along better with no
President at all; just as the Swiss Re
| public elects its President only when he
is wanted.
Happy forthe country it is that Con
gress has largely anticipated the las
point of his discourse by the military
reconstruction law which is being
adopted over the South. He believed
that it would prove salutary measure,
and that in ten years the South would
bless the Congress that gave them that
law. Already the lions OF the South
are beginning to lie down with the
lambs. Andrew johnson said that II
the negro was allowed the rights of a
citizen, 1t would bring on a war OF
races. How beautifully his prophecy
has been accomplished The aim OF
the people will be attained when the
idea of .ILiberty and Union, one and
| inseparable," shall prevail ali other the
country. But while Congress has done
the right thing, Illinois and Ohio have
yet to do it Ii is a shame that they are
retaining on their statute books laws
SO inconsistent with the spirit of the
age. .,ir- ag--s-,-.s s--,al =, s5, ~. \
The speaker would close his discourse
as he began. Only make this a truly
republican Government-oft the people,
and by the people and for the people,
and It might stand strong and vigorous
as long as time shall last.