Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-05-21
THE SECOND VETO.

Il
turers, bankers and business men Of
Philadelphia, he would have receisai
an almost unanimous appeal for the
approval of the bill he has just vetoed
under the inspiration or coercion OF
disturbing partisan leaders and there
will be degree Of unrest in business
circles throughout the country today
that has not been felt for months past
The intelligent people Of all parties
well understand that the second veto
is purely partisan production that
it was an after-thought dictated solely
by presumed partisan necessities, and
that it wantonly unsettles the harmony
of the important departments of the
government to invoke fresh flood tide
of sectional strife. IL is remembered
that the Democrats in Congress accept.
ed the Just rebuke of the Executive for
violent aud coercive legislation, and
thereby invited unity between the Ex-
ecutive and legislative powers that
the Democrats caucus framed the bill
now vetoed 10 faithful accord with the
suggestions of the President; that the
Republican caucus divided largely as
to the expediency of opposing the new
measure, while only the most revou
tionary assaied il on its merits and
with these vital facts il will be keenly
remembered that the President public
ly avowed his purpose to approve the
bill after it had been discussed and
passed in the popular branch by a
large majority. The bill that was
yesterday vetoed by President Hayes,
was commended to the confidence of
the country by the silence OF the dis
armed leaders by the confession of
party organs by the practical sugges-
tions OF the veto of the army bill, and
by the avowed approval of the Prcsi-
dent himself
And what excuse is offered for this
betrayal of the tranquility of the
country, in obedience to the arrogant
commands of revolutionists? II the
President had not declared bis ap-
proval of the bill after its thorough
investigation by the House, it might
be assumed that he has honestly de-
ceived himself into his second veto
but with manifest purpose of the
majority of Congress to yield all the
Executive asked on the issue, for the
sake of attaining harmony between
the Executive and the legislative au
, thority, the President suddenly recollt
upon himself and presents a veto
! message that is notable mainly for its
feebleness in all things save its self
contradictions.
In oneparagraph ofthe veto the coun
try is assured that "any military in
terierence whatever at the polls il
contrary TO the spirit of our institu
tions, and would tend to destroy tn,
freedom of elections" and in another
paragraph it is stated that certain cx
ceptions recognize and concede the
: soundness OF theprinciple that military
force may properly and constituiionally
l ~ usvd at tue places VI eiectlons, whei
such use is necessary to enforce th,
= constitution and the laws" The fac
that the President feels it to be ne
cessary to apologize for the assump
ton of revolutionary power over elec
tions, is manifest from his voluntary
pledge, given in the veto message, tina
no soldiers shall be present at th,
polls to perform the duties of the civil
police force, "under orders from m,
during this administration Perhaps
not; but the country would feel muel
Is better assured on the subject if tn,
4 the pledge had come from Conklin,
and Chandler, who dictated the vet,
. for The two.fold purpose Of bringing
the administration into pubic contemp
J and to deepen the political convulsionl
! which are expected to recall Grant t
i a third term.
) 1t is difficult to measure at this early
= Z day the consequences Of this unfortu
5 nate veto. II is Of little moment il
i itself, for the country could probably
: go along through another nationa
campaign without having TO meet tbs
exercise Of arbitrary military power al
) the election; but when it is considered
: that the President has neodlessly pre-
, sented the hitherto abandoned issue Of
bsyonet elections as the keynote o.
the next Presidential struggle, and
that he has wantonly destroyed the
last hope OF harmony between the Ex.
ecutive and Congress when Congress
had manfully met the Executive on
his own platform, there seems to be
nothing lett to the country but the
: strife and distrust that rccklese, parti
sans would give the people. Much
will depend upon the wisdom of Con.
! gress, and to the majority that now
rules there the anxious eyes of the Ma.
ton will be turned. There is nothing
to hope from the President. He chas.
tened Congress and then defiled him.
self, and henoeiorth he will be regard
cd as the nero breath in tho nostrils
: of tho revolutionists who hate him be-
cause he ever dared to be faithful tc
tho country. But no degree of faith.
: lessness on the part of the Executive
can excuse or even extenuate any folly
on the part of the majority IN Con.
gress. Ii is now responsible TO the
whole people, North and South, and u
the whole industrial and busines inter
, osts of tho land, for protection against
the partisan madness that rules in the