This one principle is his position on the veto power. The
gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Stanton] who has just taken his seat,
indeed, has said there is very little, if any, difference on this
question between General Taylor and all the Presidents; and he seems to
think it sufficient detraction from General Taylor's position on it that
it has nothing new in it. But all others whom I have heard speak assail
it furiously. A new member from Kentucky [Mr. Clark], of very
considerable ability, was in particular concerned about it. He thought it
altogether novel and unprecedented for a President or a Presidential
candidate to think of approving bills whose constitutionality may not be
entirely clear to his own mind. He thinks the ark of our safety is gone
unless Presidents shall always veto such bills as in their judgment may
be of doubtful constitutionality. However clear Congress may be on their
authority to pass any particular act, the gentleman from Kentucky thinks
the President must veto it if he has doubts about it. Now I have neither
time nor inclination to argue with the gentleman on the veto power as an
original question; but I wish to show that General Taylor, and not he,
agrees with the earlier statesmen on this question.
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