Year: 1879

majority OF tno peopio, oou 'ho o"


tuition Of the United States in vetoing
the bills that have been presented to
him with their political ridars. 1t was
claimed by the Democrats that the
Prssilent's veto power would be ques-
toned and coercive policy on their
part would Immediately follow any OBJ
lection that might be made by him to
the general purpose of the first bill. 1t
is now merely 4 question that shall be
decided by a majority of the extre-
mists as to whether the constitution
al rights Of the executive shall be
threatened or whether the conservative
members shall be permitted to force
their claims for the Presidential nomi-
nation by declaring themselves in IA
vor of liberal policy. If it were not
for the fact that the Democratic MAORI
ty is too small to materially aid them
in forming any political schemes re-
gardless of the Presidents prerogative,
and that not few of the members OF
Congress are Presidential aspirants,
there would doubtless be q coalition
formed between the extremists for the
purpose of passing the bills over the
Presidents veto. The more intelligent
members know that defeat awaits the
party nominees in 1880 if any sacrifices
are made now, and for this reason some
ofthem are willing to make concessions
for the sake Of closing up the ranks
and for having frmness Of actien in
the coming election. But the dissent
ers on the other hand are making vio-
lent opposition to the peace offering of
tLeir coadj utors, and instead of uniting
the party they are pursuing course
that will eventually end in hopeless
defeat.


The extra session has been forced
upon the country by the Democrats and
they alone are responsible for the enor
nous expense and the unsatisfactory
results that have attended it. They
could have passed the army bill at the
last session Of Congress, bu. they pre-
ferre1 TO wait and attach political rider
to it which they thought would meet with
the Presidents appreciation. Nothing
but an eager desire for unconstitution-
al rower has signalized the Democratic
party for the past twenty years. For
this alone it is remarkable, and it
has kept itself prominently before the
country in the guise of traitor to our
Republican form of Government. In
the present condition of affairs it is
fortunate that the President has found
his duty clearly defined in the Consti-
tuition. He cannot be deprived of his
veto power by legal means. The foun-
ders of the Republic conferred in an
explicit manner the power to the Exec
utiVe to approve or reject any legislation
that has passed both houses. The
Constitution cannot be amended for the
express purpose of limiting any exclu-
sivt privilege. There can be no article
in i. r'paale for that would be unlaw-
full, and it would mock the political
wisdom of Americas former statesmen.
There woull certainly be no use for
having a President if he is to be sub
je ted to the petty whims of inconsist-
ent minds. 1t is plainly evident that
the Den ocrats are seeking to invest tn.
Exc utive power in the hands Of their
maj 'rity in Congress, and thus deprive
tha nation of receiving any benefit from
the hands of her chief magistrate.


II must he very huniliating to the
Den ocrats after having forced the extra
session, to see their schemes suddenly
ch "cked by patriotic President They
ar. now gropiing their way out of the
lahyrinth into which they have thrust
themselves and are proclaimiDg their
intention Of menacing the authority of
President Hayes. If the statutes con-
cerning the regulations Of a general
election are disannulled, it would not
in any degree restrict the executive
power to order the military to the diff.
fsrent voting places to preserve peace
and Sc, that the right of suffrage be not
ahlil,el. 1t is not every law that is
accom- panied by an elucidation respect
ing the measures that should be taken
to put it in force.


It is well krown that Congress
has power to regulate coinage, but
it does not coin the money;it has power
to levy war but it does not do the fight,
ing; it has power over each department
of government but it does not'put the
laws in force, and in former days it act
ed upon the strength tf its power to
confer the immunity of equal rights,
but now it has not the authority to de-
prive the Fifteenth Amendment of its
only sustenance while in the exercise
o. of its lawful functions. The President
deserves great credit for his statesman


like actions on the bills that he has We
teed. He defended the constitution and
now the people will defend him against