A Necessary Fence--: The Senate's First Century

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Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Senate, 1989 - Government publications - 79 pages

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Page 23 - Resolved, That the President, in the late Executive proceedings in relation to the public revenue, has assumed upon himself authority and power not conferred by the Constitution and laws, but in derogation of both.
Page 27 - PRESIDENT, — I wish to speak to-day, not as a Massachusetts man, nor as a Northern man, but as an American, and a member of the Senate of the United States.
Page 10 - These were first to protect the people agst. their rulers: secondly to protect (the people) agst. the transient impressions into which they themselves might be led. A people deliberating in a temperate moment, and with the experience of other nations before them, on the plan of govt. most likely to secure their happiness, would first be aware, that those chargd. with the public happiness, might betray their trust.
Page 35 - In this country, a treaty is something more than a contract, for the Federal Constitution declares it to be the law of the land. If so, before it can become a law, the Senate, in whom rests the authority to ratify it, must agree to it. But the Senate are not required to adopt or reject it as a whole, but may modify or amend it, as was done with the treaty under consideration.
Page 52 - Why recourse was had to assassination in which he was not only deprived of his life but of the opportunity of vindicating his character. It...
Page 34 - A treaty entering the Senate is like a bull going into the arena: no one can say just how or when the final blow will fall — but one thing is certain — it will never leave the arena alive.
Page 10 - Another reflection equally becoming a people on such an occasion, wd. be that they themselves, as well as a numerous body of Representatives, were liable to err also, from fickleness and passion.
Page 70 - On this important acquisition, so favorable to the immediate interests of our western citizens, so auspicious to the peace and security of the nation in general, which odds to our country territories so extensive and fertile, and to our citizens new brethren to partake of the blessings of freedom and self-government, I offer to Congress and our country my sincere congratulations.
Page 12 - President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. 'The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
Page 10 - An obvious precaution against this danger would be to divide the trust between different bodies of men, who might watch and check each other.

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