Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-07-24
Veto Of the Freedman's Bureau Bill.

The President, on the 10th returned to the
House of Representatives the Freedman's Bu-
reau Bill without his signature, accompanied by
message giving his reasons for withholding it,
which are in the main the same as the objec-
tions to the former bill of the 18th of February
The grounds on which the bill was returned un-
signed, are purely just and constitutional and
show how earnestly the President is battling for
the rights and liberties Of the people.
The message was, however, called up imme
dlately after being read and passed over the
Veto. Our space does not permit giving the
message in full, but the subjoined extracts will
show the main objections ofthe President
The legislation which it proposes would not
be consistent with the welfare, OF the country,
and that it falls clearly within the reasons as
signed In my message Of the 18th of February
last, returning without my signature a similar
measure, which originated in the Senate. 1t is
not my purpose to repeat the objections which
then urged They are yet fresh in your re-
collection, and can be readily examined as part
OF the records of one branch OF the National
Legislature. Adherng to the prinsiples set
forth in that message, / now re-affirm them,
and the line of policy therein Indicated.
The act, OF which this bill was intended as
amendatory, was passed during the existence of
the war. BY its own provisions it is to terIni
nate within one year from the cessation Of hos
tilities and the declaration Of peace. 1t is,
therefore, yet in existence, and it is likely that
1T will continue in force as long as the freedmen
may require the benefit OF its provisions 1t
will certainly remain in operation as law until
some months subsequent to the meeting of the
next session of Congress-, when, if experience
shall make evident the necessity of additional
legislation, the two Houses will have ample
time to mature and pass the requisite measure.
The protection granted to the white citizens
is already conferred by law upon the freedman );
strong aud stringent guards by way Of penalties
and punishments are thrown around his person
and property, and it is believed that ample pro-
lection will be afforded him by due process of
law, without resort to the dangerous expedient
of military tribunals" now that the war has
been brought to close. The necessity no long
er existing for such tribunals, which had their
origin in the war, grave objections to their con-
tinuance must present themselves to the minds
of all rejecting and dispassionate men, -,
By laws of the United States, and of the diff
ferent States, competent courts: Federal and
State, have been established, and are now In
full practical operation. By means of these
civil tribunals ample redress is afforded for all
private wrongs, whether to the person OF the
property of the citizen, without denial or un-
necessary delay They are open to all, without
regard to color or race. / feel well assured that
it will be better to trust the rights, privileges,
and immunities the citizen to tribunals thus
established, and presided over by competent and
impartial judges, bound by fixed rules Of law
and evidence, and where the right of trial by
jury is guaranteed and secured than to the
caprice and judgment of an officer of the Bu-
reau, who, it is possible may be entirely igno-
rant of the principles that underlie the Just ad-
ministration of the law. There is danger, .too,-
that conflict Of jurisdiction will frequently arise
between the civil courts and these military tri-
bunals, each having concurrent jurisdiction over
the person and the cause of action-the one ju-
dicature administered and controlled byys civil
law, the other by the military. How Is the
conflict to be settled, and who is to determine
between the two tribunals when it arises? In
my opinion it is wise to guard against such con-
Hlct by leaving to the courts and juries the pro-
lection Of all civil rights and the redress of all
civil grievances. s.r saist5s1Aas7 sage
In conclusion, again urge upon Congress the
danger of class legislation, so well calculated to
keep the public mind in state Of uncertain ex-
pectation, disquiet and restlessness, and to en-
courage interested hopes and fears that the Ma
tlonal Government will continue to furnish to
classes Of citizens in the several States means
for support and maintenance, regardless of
whether they pursue a life of Incidence or OLA
bour, and regardless also of the constitutional
limitations of the national authority in times of
peace and tranquility.
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