"King andrew" and the Presidential VEto tRanscript
Written by Sarah Borger
The veto is a great power bestowed upon the president, and one that should not be misused. This power is usually used sparingly, and only in dire circumstances. But Andrew Jackson, in only two terms of presidency, issued twelve vetoes, more than all the previous presidents combined. Is this too much? Henry Clay and the National Republican/Whig Party certainly believed so.
Clay stood firm in his belief that President Jackson misused the Presidential veto. He believed that Jackson’s frequent use of the veto was a violation of the Constitution. In his July 12, 1832 speech, Clay stated that “The Veto is an extreme power, which, though tolerated by the constitution, was not expected by the convention to be used in ordinary cases. It was designed for instances of precipitate legislation, in unguarded moments. Thus restricted, and it has been restricted by all former Presidents, it might not be mischievous.”
Clay argued that Jackson has employed the power of the veto an unreasonable number of times. During his presidency of eight years, James Madison only utilized this power in “two or three cases” while Jackson made use of this power four times in only three years.
Many people found Jackson’s frequent use of the Presidential veto as sovereign-like. In one lithograph from 1833, Jackson is depicted in kingly robes, with a scroll inscribed “Veto” in one hand and a royal scepter in the other. The constitution lies trampled to pieces at his feet and the caption reads “King Andrew the First, ‘Born to Command.’” This picture reflected many Americans’ reactions to Jackson’s frequent use of the presidential veto. Henry Clay stated, “We now hear quite frequently, in the progress of measures through Congress, the statement that the President will veto them, urged as an objection to their passage.”
Of the Presidential Veto itself, Clay remarks that it is “Hardly reconcilable with the genius of representative government. It is totally irreconcilable with it.”
The veto is a great power bestowed upon the president, and one that should not be misused. This power is usually used sparingly, and only in dire circumstances. But Andrew Jackson, in only two terms of presidency, issued twelve vetoes, more than all the previous presidents combined. Is this too much? Henry Clay and the National Republican/Whig Party certainly believed so.
Clay stood firm in his belief that President Jackson misused the Presidential veto. He believed that Jackson’s frequent use of the veto was a violation of the Constitution. In his July 12, 1832 speech, Clay stated that “The Veto is an extreme power, which, though tolerated by the constitution, was not expected by the convention to be used in ordinary cases. It was designed for instances of precipitate legislation, in unguarded moments. Thus restricted, and it has been restricted by all former Presidents, it might not be mischievous.”
Clay argued that Jackson has employed the power of the veto an unreasonable number of times. During his presidency of eight years, James Madison only utilized this power in “two or three cases” while Jackson made use of this power four times in only three years.
Many people found Jackson’s frequent use of the Presidential veto as sovereign-like. In one lithograph from 1833, Jackson is depicted in kingly robes, with a scroll inscribed “Veto” in one hand and a royal scepter in the other. The constitution lies trampled to pieces at his feet and the caption reads “King Andrew the First, ‘Born to Command.’” This picture reflected many Americans’ reactions to Jackson’s frequent use of the presidential veto. Henry Clay stated, “We now hear quite frequently, in the progress of measures through Congress, the statement that the President will veto them, urged as an objection to their passage.”
Of the Presidential Veto itself, Clay remarks that it is “Hardly reconcilable with the genius of representative government. It is totally irreconcilable with it.”