Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-04-06
I'll Veto Of the civil Rights Bill.
SPIRIT OF TIE PRESS.
IFrom the Boston Journal,l

We deeply regret the appearance ofthis docu-
ment. The bill which il seeks 20 suppress vas
framed in iurtherance OF an object Of trauscen-
dent importance, made necessary by the triumph
Of the national cause, and dear 10 the hearts of
the patriotic masses. That object is 10 secure
the equality Of American citizenship, to realize
for the hrst time the fundamental doctrines Of
the Declaration Of independence and carry ont
the ayowed pnrposes Of the Constitution. The
loyal people are perfectly convinced that in this
way only csn We end up the gigantic evils illus
trste1 by and iiiAcritsd from the rebellion, and
restore solid harmony and prosperity 70 the re-
generated Union. As the fig IS one and the
country Is one, the law must be one, reaching
to every citizen alike, conveying the same rights
AMI securities, without regard 90 color or for
mCr class aud condiiuu. When we get down 10
that broad and solid foundation evorythin will
60 we'll, and not before.
And yet when 4 measure Of these broad aims
Is brought before the President instead of look
ing upon it fiyorably, and even. as might be
supposed. stretching his desire o. approve the
main features ofthe bill to co-er some objection
able details, hc makes the details tHe main thing
and regards the whole biz a, critically as If its
purpose were 20 give power to corporation or
to class, iuste1d Of difusiur equality among
al NJ great measuro -ctrfaiui. no MEASURE
q A.f .N -HIl.N f1tsfll1u
10 fn-ct-c0liI De- criticized ia this minute way
without fading many apparent ohiact.0ns, aud
IL must De sail that scv-ra. II those urreI by
the President ARE only apparent
Il5 ssLs, for insI7ue-, whether the people Of
tie S'uttern stte- have called Or such lsrisla-
ton. OF course they have uot-it is their hos |
tlty Co equal rights which has male the le-fsll- l
tien necessary. lie Tretcras shat ttc 'gner |
IS discriminate against ir che sake .t The ne /
-ru. where's ihe sole di,tna'io- i- fcrFren the T
native born ,ul the .s1e u born. which the 1
G., si.u-iol hes always anil with perfect il...-. /
Igs,suizl. ie lays great stress uruu tle evils /
of earfir. between this ue.-lr. AMI Stata
legislation. 1ll yet himself says that De does I
Rot arprehcui any such ''clifcf.1c laysls- I
ulL " by not. theu, approve q measure sal ]
uiary in the main. aui NEE. any yinciieltlI iff- /
cgltie- when they actually ms ur
But the worst OF it Is, there i- ro.ding iu the .
veto 10 shoa that the President . BE upon this
as IN any sense % s4luary measure. TIE CLAIMS
that slavery being ahols lLi there being 10
attempt 10 revive IL, there j. ro ueei .flny such
securities for the negro De seems wholly 20
forget about the black codes Ut .aycrl States,
a the numerous laws aud customs now eut1-:-
ing o crushing inierority upol the .reslmcl-
lie even Affects to think Do wonderful that ..in
all our history, 10 such system a- tflt coltem-
phtei hy the details of this iill has ever before
tesu proposed or aioptei' Wher, h fore, W.
ask. was there such an occasion such q demand
for it When dil VIC ever have four millions of
freedmen. stli living ia the midst 10 their for
mcr masters, to legis.ate for IT, say chat the
BOD. is calculated 90 "ofeltC i' favor of the
,ol-rei race is 90 say just what t claims and
what 10 cleht 60 DO. Everything in the South
,Iu States Is now against the uegr1-the laws,
the customs. tie habits, and the prCjuiices Of
The white and ruling class. All the dice are
oaded against the frecinau, and he his a Eir
chance nowhere, outside the protection of the
Federal bayoue,s and the Federal laws This
.iyil rights bill was designed 90 furr shed him
adequate and permanent security, and se be-
ieSe It does il with roiujurY aul as iittle inc1n-
'euieucc 90 the whites as is possible uuler the
circumstances. We are sorry that the Presi
ieut does not 20 regard &C., 90 We hope 1t will
e repassel over his veto.