Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-02
FROM WASHINGTON.

IhlDA1s lBfC. 4bs lou@s
Attorney General Bates has been called
upon to give an opinion on the question
whether colored men are citizens Of the Unit
ed States The question arose from the fact
that a coastiug vessel has been detained by
revenue cutter at Amboy New Jersey, be-
cause the master is a colored man, and If not
citizen Of the United States cannot lawfully
command vessel Mr.. Bates argues the
question fully, and unhesitatingly decides
that free colored men are citizens, under the
Constitution 1t will be remembered that
three Judges Of the Supreme Court agreed,
in the bred Scott case, that SLAVES are not cit
liens This is different question and 1
am at loss to sec how it should have been
made a question at all. In fixing the appor-
tionment Of representation and taxation, the
Constitution itself decides the question, by
making no distinction between white per-
sons, free blacks and Indians who are taxed (;
the exceptions being Indians not taxed, and
slaves; or, to speak accurately, persons 10Th
er" than whites, free blacks, and Indians who
are taxed II free blacks count precisely as
white men in respect to representation aud
taxation, it seems to me they are just as much
citizens as are white men. Years ago the
Executive decided the question in accordance
with this view of the matter, and passports
were granted to free oolored men, as citizens
Of the United States. 1t was not until mod
ern times that different rule prevailed I'M
I'll the slavocracy began to claim that negroes
are not men, when Northern Executive de-
tormined that they are not citizens. Now, a
Southern Attorney General has restored the
ancient rule.
A new question has arisen on the bill for
the admission Of Western Virginia as a State.
1t seems that by some unaccountable negli-
gence the bill was not presented TO the Pres
ident until Monday last, and on Tuesday
both houses adjourned until the first Monday
in January--eleven days, exclusive of sun
days. The Constitution says "it any bill
shall not be returned by the President within
ten days Sundays excepted) after it shall
have been presented to him, the same shall
be a law, in like manner as if be had signed
it, unless the Congress by their adjournment
prevent its return, ia 0hieh case ,haH not be
a iair" It is clear that this bill cannot be a
law if the President shall not sign it, because
Congress has prevented its return by adjourn
ment; but can it be law if the President
shall sign it; He cannot comply with the
constitutional rule as to returning the bill
within ten days, because no House will be in
session to receive it, If be shall return It
signed after the ten days have expired
it viii be irregular and the validity Of the
act may be questioned or denied. The Pres
ident has asked the several members Of the
Cabinet to say, whether he ought 10 sign The
bill; and whether, f he ought C can do il
under the circumstances Of the case sus-
pect the safest course will be for Congress to
pass another bill.
The soldiers in the numerous hospitals
here were ieasted yesterday in fine style
visit, from officials, from the President down
and speeches and songs adding great inter
est to all concerned.