The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-03-18


ed by the President alone, however devo-
ted or determined he may be, snd that
unless the people interpose there is no
power under the Constitution to check q
dominant majority OF two-thirds in the
Congress of the United States. An ap.
peal to the nation, however, is attended
with too much delay to Meetan emer-
gency. While, If LETT free TO act, the
people would correct, in time, such evils
as might follow legislative usurpatlon,
there is danger that the same power
which disregards the Constitution will
deprive them of the right to change their
rulers, except by revolution. We Lave
already seen the jurisdiction of the judi
ciary circumscribed when it was appre-
hendcd that the courts would decide
against laws having for their sole object
the supremacy of party, while the veto
power, lodged in the Executive by the
Constitution for the interest and protec-
ton of the people, and exercised by
Washington and his successors, has been
rendered nugatory by partisan majority
of two-thirds in each branch Of the Ma
tional Legislature. The Constitution
evidently contenplatcs that when q bill
is returned with the Presidents objections
it will be calmly reconsidered by Congress.
Such, however. has not been the practice
tice under present party rule. 1t has
bccemo evident that men who pass bill
under partisan influences are not likely,
through patriotic motives, TO admit their
error, and thereby weaken their own or
ganizations by solemny confessing it
under an official oath. Pride of opinion,
if nothing else, has interviewed, and pre-
vented q calm and dlspassionate reconsid-
Grafton of bill disapproved by the Ex-
ecutive.
Much as l vencrate the Constitution,
il must be admitted that this condition of
affairs has developed defect which, un-
der the aggressive tendency of the legis-
lativc department of the Government,
may readily work its overthrow. 1t
may, however, be remcdie0, without dis
turbing the harmony of the instrument.
Tie veto power is generally exercised
upon constitutional grounds, and when.
ever it is SO applied. and the bill returned
with the Executives reasons for with
holding his signature, it ought to be I'M
mediatcly certified to the Supreme Court
of the United States for its decision. Ii
its consttutonaity shall be declared by
that tribunals it should then become q
law but if tine decision is otherwise, it
should fail, without power in Congress to
re.enact and make it valid.
In cases in which the veto rests upon
hasty and nconsdcrate legislation. and
in which 10 constitutional question is in
volved, would not change the funda-
mental law; for in such cases no perma.
ncnt evil can be Incorporated into the
Federal system. 81.
1t is obvious that without such an
amendment, the Government, as it existed
under the Constitution prior 10 the re-
bclion, may he wholly subverted and
overthrown by 1.-TWO thirds majority in
Congress. 1t is not, therefore, difficult
to see how easily and how rapidly the
people may lose-shall not say, have
lost ?-tbcir liberties by an unchecked
and uncomfortable majority in the law
making power; and, when once deprived
of theirrights, how powcrless they are
to regain them.
Let us turn for 3 moment to the history
of the majority in Congress, which has
acted in such utter disregard of the Con-
stitution: While public attention has been
carefully and constantly turned tosthe
past and expiated sins OF the South, the
servants of the people, in high places,
have boldly betrayed their trust, broken
their oaths of obedience to the Constitu.
ton, and undermined the very foundations
of liberty, Justice, and good government.
When the rebellion WAS being suppressed
by the volunteered services OF patriot SOL
diors amid the dangers of the battlefield
these men crept, without question, into
place and power in the national councils.
After all dangers had passed, when no
armed foe remained, when a punished and
repentant people bowed their heads to
the flag and renewed their allegiance to
the Goyernment of the United States,
then it was that pretended patriots ap.
peared before the nationeand began to
pratc about the thousands of lives and
mlIllOnb OIL 'tTcdSUIO SsaSiiHCOu III th0 pup
preston of the rebellion: They have
since persistently sought to infame the
prejudices epgendered between the Sec
tions, 10 reaard the restoration. of peace
and harmony, and by every means TO-
keep open and exposed to tho poisonous
breath of party passion tho terrible
wounds Of a four.years' war. They have
prevented the return of peace and the
restoration OF tho Union, in every way
rendered delusive the purposes, promises,
and pledges by which the army was mar
shaled treason rebukcd, and rebellion
crushed, and made the liberties OF the
people and tho rights and powers of the
President objects ofconstant attack. They
have wrested from the President his con
stitutional power of supreme command of
the army and navy They have destroy