The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-03-12
COL. DEM. ---VOL. XXXIII.....NO 4.

be, and that unless the people interpUse
there is no power under the Constitution
TO check dominant party of two-thirds
in the Congress of the,Unitcd States.-
An appeal to the nation, however, is
attended with too much delay to meet
an emergency; while, if left free to act,
the people would correct, in time, such
OWLS as might follow legislative usur-
patton.
There is danger that the same power
which disregards the Constitution
will deprive them OF the right TO
change their rulers, except by revolu-
ton. We have already seen the juris-
diction of the judiciary circumscribed
when it was apprehended that the courts
would decide against laws, having for
their sole object the supremacy ofparty,
while the veto power lodged in the Ex-
ecutive by the Constitution for the in
terest and protection of the people, and
exercised by Washington and his sue
cessors, has been rendered nugatory by
a partisan majority of two-thirds in
each branch of the national legislature.
The Constitution evidently contem-
plates that when bill is returned with
the Presidents objections, it will be
calmly reconsidered by Congress. Such
however, has not been the practice un-
der present party rule. 1t has become
evident that men who pass bill under
partizan influence, are not likely,
through patriotic motives, to admit
their error, and thereby weaken their
own organ cations by solemnly confess
ing it under an official oath.
Pride Of opinion, if nothing else, has
interviewed and prevented calm and
dispassionate reconsideration OF ~ bill
disapproved by the Executive. Much
as venerate the Constitution, it must
be admitted that this condition of af-
fairs has developed a defect which, UNI
der the aggressive tendency of the leg
islative department of the government
may readily work its overthrow. 1t
may, however be remedicd without dis.
turbing the harmony of the instrument.
The veto power is generally exercised
upon Constitutional grounds, and when.
ever it is so applied, and the bill re-
turned with the Executive reasons for
withholding.h his signature, it ought to
be Immediately certified to the Supreme
Court OF the United States for its decis-
ion. If its constitutionality shall be
decreed by that tribunal, it should then
become law; but if the decision is
otherwise, it should fall, without pow
er in Congress to re-enact and make it
valid. In cases in which the veto rests
upon hasty and inconsiderate legislation
and in which no constitutional question
is involved, it would not change the
fundamental law, for in such case no
permanent evil can be incorporated into
the Federal system. 1t is obvious that
without such an amendment, the gov
ernment, as it existed under the Consti
; tuition prior to the rebellion, may bt
wholly subverted or overthrown by ,
two-thirds majority in Congress. 1t il
not, therefore, difficult to see how easily
and haw rapidly the people may lose
shall not say have lost-their libertie
uncheckde and uncomfortable ma
jor!ty in the making power, ant
when once deprived of their rights, ,hov
powerless they are to regain them.
Let us look for moment to the his
tory Of the majority in Congress, whicl
has acted in such utter disregard of tn
Constitution, while public-attention ha
been carefully and constantly turned t.
the past and explated sins of the South
The servants Of the people in high pla
ces have boldly betrayed their trust
broken their oaths of observance to tn,
; Constitution, and undermined the ver.
foundations OF liberty, justice and goo'
government. When the rebellion wa
being suppressed by the volunteers
: services of patriotic soldiers, amid tn
dangers Of the battlefield, these me-
crept, without question, into place ant
power In the national council. Ate
all danger had passed, when no arTne,
foe remained, when punished and re
pentant people bowed their heads to tn
flag, and renewed their allegiance f
the Government of the United States
then it was that pretended patriots mp
peared before the nation, and began t
, prate about the thousands of lives AM
millions of treasure sacrificed in tn
suppression of the Rebellion.
They have since presistently soguh
to inflame the prcjudices cngendcrc
between the sections to retard the res
toraton ofpeace and harmony, and b.
every means to keep open and expose
to the poisonous breathof party passio
the terrible wounds of a four years wa
They have prevented the return q
peace and the restoration of tho Union
In every way rendered delusive tn
: purposes, promises and pledges b
i which the army was marshalled, trei
son rebuked and rebellion crushed, an
rights and powers of the President OF
: jects OF constant attack. They hay
J. wrested from the President his Const
D tutional power Of supreme comman
: of the army and navy. They have de
u troyed the strength and efficiency
y the Executive Department by maxim
e subordinate officers independent of an
= able to defy their chief, They have Al
> tempted to place the President undt
" the power of bold, defiant treacherol
% Cabinet officer. They have robbed Il
!, Executive of the prerogative of pardo
u rendered null and void acts of clemenC
10 granted to thousands of persons und'
& the provisions ofthe Constitution, an
committed gross usurpation by, legisl
rs tive attempts to exercise this power
l. favor of party adherents.
~ They have conspired to change Il
in system ofour government by preferriI
70 changes against the President in Il
4 I firm of articles of impeachment III