Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-03-17

nave ulrehuy sctn lne JuflsulCliOn OF
the Judiciary circumscribed when it
wasapprehended 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 tho Constitution for the
interest and protection of the people,
and exercised by Washington and his
successors, has been rendered nugato-
ry by partisan majority of two-thirds
10 each branch OF the national Legis-
lature. The Constitution evidently
contemplates thai when a bill is re-
turned, with the Presidents objections,
it will be calmly reconsidercd by Con.
gress. Such, however, has not been
the practice under tho present party
rule. 1t has become evident that men
who pass a bill under partisan influ-
ence, are not likely, through patriotic
motives, TO admit their error, and
thereby weaken their own organiza-
tions by solemnly confessing it under
an official oath.
Prde Of oplnipn, II nothing else,
has interviewed and prevented i calm
and dspassionate reconsideration of
bill disapproved by the Executive.
Much as | venerate the Constitution,
it must be admitted that this condi-
lion Of affairs has developed defect
which, under The aggressive tendcn-
cy Of the legislative department of
the government, may readily work
It's overthrow. 1t may, however, be
remedicd without disturbing the bar
mony Of the instrument. The veto
power is generally exercised upon
constitutional grounds, and whenever
it is so applied, and the bill returned
with the Executive reasons for with
holding his signature, it ought to be
Immediately certified TO the Sspreme
Court Of the United States for It's de-
cision. If its constitutiohality shall
be declared BY that tribunal, il should
then become a law but If the decision
is otherwise, It should tall, without
power in Congress TO re.enact aud
make il valid. In cases in which the
veto rests upon hasty and inconsider-
ate legislation, and in which no con-
stitutional question is involved, it
would not change the fundamental
law, for in such case no permanent
evil can be Incorporated into the Fed
eral system. 1t is Obvious that, with
out such an amendment, the govern
ment, as it existed under the Consti-
tuition prior TO the rebellion, may be
wholly subvertcd or overthrown by a
two-thirds majority in Congress. IL
is not, therefore, difficult TO see how
easily and how rapidly the people may
loose---shall not say have lost--their
liberties by an unchecked and uncon-
trollable majority in the law-making
power, and when once deprived Of
their rights, how powerless they are
TO regain them.
Let us look for a moment at the
history of the majority in Congress,
which has acted in such utter disre-
gard of the Constitution, while public
attention has been carefully and con-
stantly turned to the past and expia-
ted sins of the South. The servants
Of the people in high places have bold.
~ betrayed their trust, broken their
oaths of observance TO the Constitu-
ton, and undermined the very foun-
dations of liberty, justice and good
government. When the rebellion was
being suppressed by the volunteered
services Of patriotic soldiers, amid the
dangers of the battlefield. these men
crept, without question, into place and
power In the national council. After
all danger had passed, when no armed
foe remained, when punished and
repentant people bowed their heads
20 the flag, aud renewed their allegi-
ance to the Government OF the United
States, then il was that pretended
patriots appeared before the nation,
and began 10 prate aboutthe thousands
of lives and millions of treasure sacri-
feed in the suppression Of the Rebel
lion
Thoy have since persistently sought
TO infame the prejudice engendered
between the sections to rotard the
restoration OF peace and harmony,
and by every means to keep open and
expose 60 the poisonous breath of
party passion, the terrible wounds Of
q four years war. They have pre-
vented The return of peace and the
restoration Of the Union; in every
way rendered delusive the purposes,
promises and pledges by which the
army was marshalled, treason re-
buked and rebellion crushed, and
made the liberties of the people and
the rights and powers Of the President
objects ofconstant attack. They have
wresied from the President his con-
sttutional power Of supreme com
mand of the army and navy. They
have destroyed the strength and eff.
cheney of the Executive Department
10y making subordinate officers inde-
pendent of and able TO defy their
chief They have attempted 10 place
the President under the power of a
bold, defiant and treacherous Cabinet
officer. They have robbed tho Execu-
tive flbe prorogativc Of pardon, rem
dered null and void acts Of clemency
granted TO thousands OF persons under
the provisions of the Constitution,
and committed gross usurpation by
legislative attempts TO exercise this
power in favor Of party adherepts.
They have gonspired TO change the
system of our government by prefer
ring charges against the President in
the form OF articles OF impeachment,
and contemplating before hearing and
trial that he should be placed in arrest
held in durance, and when it became
their pleasure TO pronounce his sent
ence, driven from place and power in
disgrace. They have in time Of peace
increased the national debt bya reck'
less expenditure Of the public moneys
aud thus added to the burdens which
already weigh upon the people. They
have permilted the nation TO suffer the
al.