The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-27

One.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON was one OF the
ablest advocates Of Executive power; and II
his honorable ambition had been gratiiicd
he would probably have given a different
direction to the politics Of the country and
to the Interpretation Of the Constitution
from that which WAS adopted under the lead
Of THOMAS JEFFERSON. But HAMILTON.
with all his strong tendencies, regarded the
veto as a conservative power conferred on
the Executive for sell-defence against the
possible encroachments Of tho legislative
branch, and intended TO prevent the passage
Of bad laws through haste, iuadyertcncc, or
design
II was never pretended that the veto
might be employed to cocrcc Congress into
submission to the Executive will regarding
appropriations Of public money, either in
expedonGy in form, or in amount; or to
prevent the repeal OF arbitrary and partisan
laws. passed during u period OF civil cont
motion; or because Congress limited an APP
preparation for n special object. or refused to
make it at all. No such pretonsion was ever
made by any lawfully elected President.
In 1867, the Republicans grated on the
ARM Appropriation bill section which
virtually deprived the President OF his con-
stitutional functions as Commander-in-
Chief OF the army, and denied to ten States
Of the Union their right under the Constitu-
ton to protect themselves in any emergency
by means OF their own militia. II u veto was
ever justiiiable, it was in this case; because
the violence OF partisanshlp had assailed
constitutional rights. But ANDREW JONI
xva HtafpnllfaI IA pnfaA o. "a iaeua wit IA
q Congress that had struck directly at the
authority Of the Executive. He signed the
bill and said: 81 am compelled to defeat
these necessary appropriations II withhold
my signature TO the act. Pressed by these
considerations l feel constrained to return
the bill with my signature, but to accom-
pany 1t with my protest against the Sec
lions which have Indicated"
Sixty years ago, Mr. CLAY, then Speaker
OF the House, asserted the power Of the peo-
pies representatives in his direct, vigorous,
and manly way The Army bill was under
consideration, and az amendment had been
moved allowing troops to be used to make
roads, and appropriating money for that
purpose The discussion in Committee OF
the Whole was animated on both sides, and
the Speaker took part in it az Jllows
lie thought that Congress had been wanting in its
duties delaying long to egIsate this subject II
was proper to pass this bill and present 1t to the Pres
dent. and II he refused TO sanction IT, then Mr. CLAY de
eared he had hesitation IN avowlng that he should
T. rendy pros,d hastiis. rh NJ Ploii,a' hl point
and EiAhOd srsry appop luton 0da he conceded hsp0hf'
Mr. MONROE was then President, and It
was called 1.-The era OF good feeling" But
Mr. CLAY allowed no seutimentality 10 in
III Ii. . .l..t.r H.. I.
assertion Of the rights Of the people When
JACKSON vetoed the Bank bill in 1872, he
was not less emphatic in expressing his
views. On that occasion he said:
The veto is an extraordinary power which though
tolerated BY the Constitution. expected by The
Convention be used IN ordinary Twas designed
for instances OF precipiate legislation, in unsuardee
moments The veto Is hardly reconclabe with N,
genius Of Government Il IL totally irrcconeilah'
with ifits be frequently employed in respect to The
trpeiiearv Of a,a,ue, well their consttutoualiy
II Is a feature OF our Government borrowed from
prerogatiye Of tile British King And IL is remarkable
that In England It has obsolete not having been
used for upward OF a century oJght the opinion
OF override that u legislative body twice
deliberately eXpressedf'
The Fraudulent President has sent foul
vetoes to Congress, OF bills prepared Will
elaboration and voted for by clear MAORI
ties in both Houses Not one Of thes,
vetoes has Il color Of Justification, and al
OF them belong to the lowest order of parti
sanship. He has assumed to dictate the
very forms OF legislation. If the maiorit,
had boldly met the first refusal to sign {
proper bill, the intruder in the White Hous,
would soon have come to terms. Instead o
confronting him With decision and asserting
the power Of Congress, the majority backed
down, sought to make terms, and invited {
deadlock.
The spirit OF HENRY CLAY has departed
and the courage which made him leade
of men Is no longer exhibited when dut,
demands resolution.