The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-07-24

instances it is used by its agents as means of
promoting their individual advantage; and that
the freedmen are employed for the adVanceme Mt
of the nersonal ends of officers, instead of their
own Enforcement and welfare-thus confirm
ing the fears originally entertained by many
that the continuation of such a bureau for any
unnecessary. length of time would inevitably re-
suit in fraud, corruption and oppression.
1t is proper to state that in cases of this char
acter Investigations have been promptly order
ed, and the offender punished, whenever his
guilt has been satisfactorily established. As
another reason against the necessity of the leg
islatinn contemplated by this measure, reference
NAV be had to the '.civil ghts bill, now law
of the la6d and which will be faithfully execu-
ted as long as it shall remain uurepealed, aud
NAV not be declared unconstitutional BY courts
of competent jurisdiction BY that act, it is en-
acted that all persons born IN the United
Suites, aud not subject to any foreign power,
excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby de-
clar:d to be citizens of the United States: and
such citizens, of every race and color, without
regard to any previous condition OF slavery or
involuntary servitude, except as punishment
for crime, whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted, shall have the same light in
every State and Territory in the United States
to make and enforce contracts, to sue, to be par
ties, and give evidence, to inherit, purchase,
lease, sell, hold and convey real and personal
property, ard to full aud equal benefit of all
laws and proceedings for the security OF person
and property, is enjoyed by white citizens,
and shall! be subject to like punt sh 10 ent, pains
and penalties, and to none other, any law, sta
tute, ordinance, regulation or custom to the con-
trary notwithstanding
By the provisions of the act full protection is
afforded, through the district courts of the
United States, to all persons injured, aod whose
privileges are there declared, in any way
impaired, and heavy penalties denounced
against the person VI no wilfuliy violates the law.
| reed not state that that law did not receive
my approval, yet its remedies are far preferable
to those prepared in the present bill; the one
being civil and the other military.
BY the sixth section of the bill herewith re-
turbed, certain proceedings by which the lands
in the "parishes of Saint Helena and Saint
Luke, South Carolina,? were sold and bid in,
and afterwards di>po-- j Of by the tax -commis
sioners, are ratified aud confirmed. BY the
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth aud eleventh sec
tions, provisions by law made for the. dispo-
sal of the lands thus acquired to particular
class of citizens While the quoting of titles
is deemed very important aud desirable, the dis
elimination made in the bill seems ohjectona-
Bile, does also the attempt to confer upon the
commissioners judicial pow ers, by which citi-
Gems of the United States are to be deprived of
their properly in mode contrary to that pro-
vision of the Constitution which declares that
no person "shall be deprived Of life, liberty or
properly without due process Of law
AS general principle, such legislation is uD-
safe, unwise, partial and unconstitutional. 1t
may deprive persons Of their property who
equally deserving objects of the nations bounty
as those whoa, by this legislation, Congress
be portioned out to-a favored class of citizens
must depend upon the regularity of be tax sale
under the law it existed at the time Of the
sale, and no subsequent Legislation can give va
lldity to the rights thus acquired against the
original claimants The attention of Congress
is therefore invited to more mature consilera-
ton Of the measures proposed in these sections
of the bill.
In conclusion, I again urge upon Congress
the danger of class Legislation, SO welf'ca cuIa-
ted to keep the public MUD ia state of uncer-
Gain expectation, disqniet aud reslessness, and
to encourage Interested hopes and fears that
the National Government will continue TO fur
nlsh to classes of citizens in the several States
means for support aud maintenance, regardles
of whether they pursue life Of Incidence
labor, and regardless also of the constitutional
limitations of the national authority 10 times OF
peace and tranquility
The bill is herewith returned to the House of
Representatives, in which it originated, for its
final action.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, July Is, 1866
Notwiths udnr these forcibe objections Con.