Fading Light

Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn
Don't know why you should feel
That there's something to learn
It's just a game that you play
--Al Stewart

Who was the last President to consistently uphold the spirit of the Constitution? I'd have to go back a few years to Grover Cleveland. A Democrat from an era when this afilliation still meant The Party of Jefferson, Cleveland was the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms--although he did win the popular vote three times (1884, 1888, 1892).

What sticks out about Cleveland was his unwillingness to grow government. He vetoed upwards of 600 bills (an average of more than one per week over his 8 yrs in office).

His explanation of his veto of the Texas Seed Bill in 1887 well reflects his principles. He states:

"I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, and I do not believe that the power and duty of the general government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service of benefit. A prevalent tendency to disregard to disregard the limited mission of this power and duty should, I think, be steadfastly resisted, to the end that the lesson should be constantly enforced that, though the people support the government, the government should not support the people."

Down the page, he continues:

"Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character, while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood."

Cleveland understood the effects of government intervention on State dependence (positive relationship) and charity/social obligation (negative relationship).

Very wise.

Can you imagine a president uttering such a response today?