National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-03-24

ScriJner's Monthly an illustrated magazine
for the people, for April, has made its appear
ance, and it is a sterling number. Among
other very interesting matter it contains
valuable paper on John Ericsson, and his discov.
cries in steam navigation, naval defenses, &c.
LatetPs Liring Age for March /, 8, 10, and %,
contain much instructive aud entertaining
matter.
Messrs. L. NJ. WhitakerS Son have laid upon
our table BlackwoOdS Edinburgh Magazine for
March. 1t is well stored with reading matter
on u variety of subjects.
Po,ter's american Monthly, an illustrated mag
azine Of history literature science, and art, for
April, contains well-written and fnely-illus-
trated paper on San Francisco, together with a
variety of other interesting reading.
The Eclectic Mogcsine of Literature for April
contains twenty articles, and not one which
does not possess some feature of special interest
'and value. Tho lecture on electric light is
peculiarly interesting.
81. Nicholas, Scribners illustrated magazine
for girls and boys, for April, has made its ap-
peaIancc, aud fully sustains the excellent rep.
utation of this popular magazine for the young.
The Moral and Legal Duty of the Veto.
WAsHINGroN, ID. G., March 10, 1879
TO hc Editor of The National Republican:
SIR There is n moral phase of the contest
which seems about to open between the Presi
dent and Congress which should be kept before
tho people throughout the struggle. 1t is
this-before tho President entered upon the
execution of his high Office he took the follow.
ing oath
I do solemnly swear that will faithfully execute
the, office of President Of ihe United States, and
and defend the Constitution OF the United states-
COnsttution-An p Il, clduse7
The Constitution prescribes (Art. /, sec. y
that
Every bill which shall have passed the House of
Representatives and the Senate shall before IL be.
comes q law, be presented 10 the President of the
United states. II he approves he shall sign IT, but
If not he shall return IT,, with his objections TO
that house in which II shall have originated who
shall enter the objections at large upon their jour
nal and proceed to reconsider II IT, after such re,
to pass the bill il shall he sent together with the
objections to the other house, by which it shall
likewise be recOnsidered and II approved by TWO.
thirds of that House. 1t shall become law.
From the foregoing it clearly appears that
the President has no choice or option under
| his oath and the requirements of the Constitu.
| tiOn, with reference to Withholding his ap-
proval and returning with his objections any
| bill which he does not in iact approve. To
sign an approval of bill which he in fact
does not approve would DO perpetrating high
crime. 1t would be n violation of his oath of
office and of the Constitution. Aud this being
the fact, how eau the two Houses of Congress
ask and insist that the President shall, n0lens
gOlens approve the bill (which it is understood
they propose to present to him) repeating one
of the laws Of the land, probably passed by q
previous Congress and approved by the then
| President, which Law the present President in
his conscience, fully believes should remain
the law Of tho land, for the protection of the
freedom and purity Of Congressional elections.
Has this Congress n right to say to the Presi.
dent Unless you violate your oath of Office
and the Constitution by certifying falsely your
approval of the repeating bill we send you,
which we know you, in your conscience, disap.
prove, we will pass no appropriation bill for
even tho most necessary operations of the Gov
ernment without injecting into it that repeal.
ing business, which you cannot in conscience
| approve.
For Congress to stop the operations of the
Government In this way, must, it seems to me
be regarded by every good citizen as not only
morally and politically wrong, but in fact rev,
olutionary. Is this to be tolerated by the hon,
| est patriotic, conscientious citizens of the Re-