Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-03-27


These numerous ofnciL agents are made %
constitute . sort OF police, IN addition 10 the
military, and are authorized to summon 4
such portion Of the land and naval forces OF
the United States, or Of the militia, sas nay be
necessary TO the performance Of the duty with
which they are charged" This extraordipary
power is 70 be conferred upon agents lrrespon-
sIble to the Government and to the people, to
whose number the discretion OF the commis-
sioners is the only limit, and in whose hands
such authority might BE- made terrible engine
of wrong, oppression and fraud The general
statutes regulating the land aud naval forces
oil the United States, the militia, and The exc
cutiOn of the laws, are believed to be sdeg uate
LOT every emergency which can occur in time
OF peace. Ii IL should prove Otherwise, Con-
gress can at any time amend those laws ia such
manner as, while subscribing the public well
iaIe, MOI 10 leopard the rights, interests, and
Liberties Of the people
The seventh section provides that a fee of
ten dollars snail be- paid 10 each commissioner
in every case brought before him, and fee of
hye dollars TO his deputy, or deputies, ssfor
eaeh person ne or they may arrest and take
before any such commissioner with such
other fees as may be deemed reasonable by
such Commissioner" sin general for pprforr-i
ing snch other duties as may be required in
the Premises All these fees are 10 be paid
ont OF the Treasury OF the United States'
whether there II conviction or not; but in
case of conviction, they are 10 be recoycr1hIa
from the defendant. II seems to me- that under
the influence OF such temptations bad men
might convert any law, however benencient
mo an ii4~l hltithl OF p~TetG niOn and ffaun
by TIE eighth section OF the bill tie United
States Courts, which sit only in one place for
White citizens, must mig rate, with the Marshal
anu District Attorney, (aud nec,s sariIy with
the Clerk. although lac Is nos mentioned, to any
part OF the Distinct, upon the order OF the Pres
ident, and there holl a court ''for the purposr
of the more specify arrest aad trial OF persons
charged with violation Of this Act" and there
the Udgr and the officers OF the court must re-
main, upon the order OF the Pres ident ...or the
tine therein designated"
or such person rs he may empower for that
purpose, 40 employ such part OF the land aud
naval forces OF the United States, or Of the mi.
Iltla. as shall be necessary to prevent the yio-
iation and enforce the due execution of this
Act. This language seems 10 imply perma-
nent military force. that Is to be- always al
hand, and whose only business is 10 be the en-
force mGnt of this measure over the vast region
whore il is intended 10 operate.
do not propose 10 cOn,lder the policy OF
this bill. To me the details of tho Dill seem
fT5ught with evil. The white race and tn.
black race of the South nave hitherto lived 10.
gether under the relation of master and slave
capital owning labor. Now, suddenly, that
relation Is changed, and, a. 10 ownership, cap
ital and labor are divorced. They stand now
each master OF itself. In th- I4rW relation, one
beng necessary TO the ether, there Will be a new
adjustment, which both are deeply interested
in making harmonious. Each has equ nal power
IN settling the terms, aud If left to the laws
hat regulate capital and labor, il is con-
ldenily believed that they viii satisfactorily
work ont the problem. Capital, IL ~ true has
more intelligence: but labor il never so'igno-
rant as not to understand Its own interests.
MOTTO know its own value. and not 10 see thai
capital must pay that value. This bill frus-
trates this adjustment 1t Intervenes between
capital and iaoor, and attempts 70 settle ques-
tions of political economy through the agency
OF numerous officials, whCEe interest II Will be
10 !oment discord between the two races: for as
the breach widens their employment will con-
unue, and when il is closed their occupation
viii terminate.
In all our history, in all our experience as a
people living under Federal and State law, no
such system as that contemplated by the de-
tails of this dill has ever before been proposed
or adopted. They establish, for the ecurity of
the coiorsd race. safeguards which 20 infinite
~ beyond any that the General Government
has ever provided for the white race In tact.
the distinction Of race and color is, by the bill
made TO operate in favor OF the colored, and
against The white race. They interfere
with the municipal legislation OF the States
with the relations existing exclusively be-
tween State and its citizens, or between
Inhabitants of the same State-an absorp-
tcn and assumption CT power by the Gen
eral Government which, II acquiesced in,
must sap and destroy our federative System
OF limited powers and break down the barriers
which preserve the rights OF the States. Ii is
another step, or rather stride towards central
lLaiion, and the concentration OF all legislative
powers in The National Government. The
tendency OF the bill must be 10 res uscitate the
spirit OF rebellion, and to arrest the progress of
those influences which are mors closely draw
ing arouDs the States the bonds Of union and
peace.
Ny lanlepted predecessor, in his proclama-
uon OF The lst OF January, is03, ordered and de-
clared that all persons held slaves within
certain States and parts OF States therein dssig-
mated, were and thehceforward should be free
and further. that the Executive Government
Of the United States, including The military and
naval authorities hereof would recognize and
maintain the freedom OF such persons. This
guarantee has been rendered especially otligs-
tory and sacred by the amendment of he Con
sttuuon aoolishIng slavery throughout the
United STATES. therefore fully recognize
the Obligation 20 protect and defend that
class OF our people, whenever and wherever
~ shall become necessary, and 20 the full ex-
tent compatible with the Constitution of the
United States. Entertaining these sentiments
1t only remains for ne 70 say, that will cheer
fully Cooperate with Congress in any meas ure
that may ts necessary for the protection or the
civil rights or the freedmen, as well as thosP
OF all other classes of persons throughout the
United STATES. by judicial process under equal
and impartial laws, in conformity with the
provisions OF the Federal Constitution.
now return the bill 10 the Senate, and re-
gret that in considering the bills and joint res
oiutioDs-forty-two in number-whieh have
been thus far submitted for my approval, L
am compelled TO withhold my assent from n
second measure that has received the sanction
CT both Houses OF Congress.
- ANDREW JOHNSON.
WARRINGTON, DC, March %, 1866.