New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-05
10 THE SUPPORTERS OF THE
GOVERNMENT.


,ble to the country for it's conduct: and it is their
right and duty TO check the encroachmchts of the
Executive on the authority of Congress, and to re-
,cuirs II to oonfne itself to it's proper sphere.
II Is impossible TO pass in silence this Procama-
zion without neglocfing that duty; and, having
taken as much responsibility as any Others in sup
porting the Administration, we are not disposed 10
Gail in the other duty of asserting the rights OF
Congress.
Tho President did not sign the bill :" to guaran-
tee to certain States whose Governments have been
psurped, Republican form Of Government
vassedb by the supporters of his Administration in
both Houses of Congress after mature deliberation
The bill did not therefore become laW and il
is therefore aotking.
Tie Proclamation is neither en- approval nor o
veto of the bill; it is therefore adocument unknown
70 the laws and Constitution of the United States.
So far as it contains en- apology for not signing
he BILL tits political manifesto against the friends
of the Government.
So far it proposes to execute the bill which is
sot Q law, Il is grave Executive usurpation.
1t s fitting that the facts necessary to enable the
tends Of the Administration TO appreciate the
poogy and the usurpation be spread before them.
The Proclamation says:
And whereas the said bill was presented to the
resident Of the United States for his approval less than
hour before the sine die adjournment Of said session
nd was not signed by hin-
II that DO accurate still this bill was presented
with other bills which were signed.
Within that hour, the time for tie sine die adj
! ,urnmcSt was three times postponed by the votes
of both Houses; and the least intimation Of de-
are for more time By the President TO consider this
bill would have secured further postponement.
Yet the Committee sent TO ascertain If the Presi-
dent bad any further communication for the House
Of Representatives reported that he had none; and
fbe friends of the bill, who had anxiousy waited
on him TO ascertain its fate had already been in
formed that the President had resolved not TO
signit.
The time Of presentation, therefore, had nothing
60 do with his failure TO approve 1t.
The bill had been discussed and considered for
more than a month in the House Of Representa-
Gives, which IL passed on the ith of May it was
,eoorted 70 the Senate on the 9th of May
without material amendment, and passed the Sen
ate absolutely as it came from the House on the
Cd of July.
Ignorance of its contents is oW Of the question.
Indeed, at lis request draft of bill substan-
daily the same in all material points, and identical
Sn the points objected to by the Proclamation, had
Seen laid before him for his consideration in the
winter of ls62-ls63.
There is, therefore, no reason 10 suppose the pro-
visions of the bill took the President by SURPRISE
On the contrary, We have reason TO believe them
90 have been so well known that this method of pro-
venting the bill from becoming law without the
constitutional responsibilities veto, hadbcen re-
solyed on long before the bill passed the Senate
We are informed by gentleman entitled TO en-
Sire confidence that before tho 22d Of June III New
Orleans il was stated by member OF Cen. Bsnkss
staff, in the presence Of other gentlemen in official
position, that Senator Dooittle had written letter
% the department that the Honse Reconstruction
bin would be STAYED off in the Senate to period
600 late in the session to require the President to
veto il in order to defeat it, and that Mr. Lincoln
you'd retain tho BILL if necessary, and thereby do.
1eat il.
TIE experience Of Senator Wade, in his various
sorts to get the bill considered in The Senate, was
quito in accordance with that PAN aud the fate Of
she bin was accurately predicted by letters received
from New-Orleans befeso il had passed the senate.
Had the Proclamation stopped there, il would
have been only one other defeat of the will Of the
people BY an Executive peryerson OF the Ccns'itu'
ion.
Bot 1t goes further. The President says:
Ard whereas the eeid lin contains. among other
fhincs a plan for asiorng the states IN rebellion TO
their proper practical relation IN the Union which pan
expresses the sense VI COngrs upon that subject ana
Which plan ii II thought TT 10 10y before tie people
EoI their consideration"
BY what authority of the Constitution IL what
forlnsi The result TO be declared by whom
With what effect when ssceTtsiIcdl
Is it to be a law by the approval Of the people
without the approval of Congress at the will Of the
'residenti
Win the President, Oh his opinion Of the popular
approval, execute it as law
Or is this merely device 10 avoid the serious
responsibility of defeating law on which 50 many
loyal hearts reposed for security
But the reasons now assigned for not approving
be bill are full Of omi..ous significance.
The President proceeds:
''Now therefore. I, ABRAHAM fIycoLs, President Of
She United States do pfoc!firi, declare, and make
known. thht, while am (as was In December last
tom unpIepared, by formal approval Of this bill TO
be iolexby committed TO any single plan Of res,oEa
6iOh--"
That is to say, the Precedent is resolved that the
veople shall not by lar take any securities from the
Pebcl States against q renewal Of the Rebellion,
before restoring their power TO govern ne.
His wisdom and prudence ere to be our sufficient
guarantees