The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-04-08
mented on with force and eloquence, after
which he closed as follows;

Mr.. President-1 have now gone through
this veto message, replying with what pa
tlence could command to its various objec-
tions to the bill. Would that might stop
here-that there was no occasion to go fur
ther; but justice to myself; justice to the
State whose people of the whole country, in
legslating for whose behalf ] am called to
participate: justice to the Constitution | am
sworn to support; justice to the rights Of
American citizenship and to human liberty,
now impenled, require me TO 60 further.
Gladly would refrain from speaking Of the
spirit OF this message; Of the dangerous doc
trines it promulgates, Of its inconsistencies,
and the contradictions Of its author; Of its
encroachment upon the constitutional rights
of Congress: OF his assumption Of unwar-
checked by the people must inevitably lead
TO subversion Of the Government and the
destruction of liberty.
Congress, in the passage of the bill under
consideration. sought no controversy with the
President so far The bill was proposed with
view to carry out what men supposed to be
the views OF the President. and was submitted
to him before its introduction into the Senate.
am not about to relate the private declara-
tons Of the President, but it is right that the
American people should know that the con-
troversy which exists between him and Con.
gress, in reference TO this measure, is of his
own seeking.
Soon after Congress met. it became appar
ent that there was difference of opinion be-
tween the President and some members Of
congress in regard to the condition Of the
rebellious states and the rights to be secured
to freedmen. The President, in his annual
message. had denied the Constitutional pow
ff ho nd q kn
elective franchise to negroes: but he was
equally decided in the assertion of the right
of every man to life, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness. This is his Ian
guage but while have no doubt
that now, after the close Of the war,
il is not competent for the General Govern.
ment TO extend the elective frs fnehise in the
several states, 1t is equally clear that good
faith requires the security Of the freedmen
in their liberty and property. There were
some members Of Congress who expressed
the opinion that in the reorganization Of the
rebellious States, the right Of suffrage should
be extended to the colored man, though
this was not the prevailing sentiment of Con
gress. All are anxious for a reorganization
OF the rebelllous states. and their admis
sion 10 tuii participation IN the federal
government, as soon as these relations could
Feeling the importance Of harmonious ac
ton between the different departments of
the government, and an anxious desire to
sustain the President. for whom had always
entertained the highest respect. | had fire.
cnent interviews with him during the early
part OF the session. Without mentioning
anything said BY him, | NAV with perfect
safety, state that, acting from the eonsidera-
lions have stated, and believing iha, the
passage Of law by Congress creating
equality in civil rights. when denied by
State authorities, to freedmen and all the in
habtants of the United States. would do
| much to relieve the anxiety in the North. TO
induce SNlthern States TO secure those rights
by their own actions. and thereby remove
many obstacles to an early reconstruction.
prepared b BILL substantially as it is now
returned with the President objections.
After the bill was introduced and printed a
copy WAS furnished him. and at q subsequent
period. when it was reported that he was
hesifatng about signing the freedman :
bureau bill. he was informed OF the CON
dtion of the civil rights bill, then pending
in the House, and a hore expressed that #
he had any objection 10 any oi its profis-
sions. he wonld make them known to It's
friends, that they might be rem eded, if not
destructive Of the measure; that there was
believed to be no disposition on the part Of
Congress, and certainly ncl on my part. To
! have bills presented TO him which he could
no, approve. He never intmated to ne, nor
so far as know, to any Of its friends the
least objection TO any Of the provisions OF
the bill till after its passage: and how could
he. consistently with himself?
The bill was framed, "a was supposed. in
! entire harmony with his views, and GER
fainly in harmony with what he was then
and has since been doing in protecting freed.
men in their civil rights, all through the re
| bellious states 1t was strictly limited 10 the
protection Of civil rights belonging to every
freeman. the br.hright of every American
citizen, and carefully avoided conferring OF
| interfering with political rights or privileges
of any kind. The bill neither. confers nor
abridges the rights of any one, but simply &c
cares that in civil rights there shall be an
equality among all classes OF citizens, and that
all alike shall be subject TO the same punish
nent in each State, so il does not abridge
the great fundamental rights belonging, un-
| der the constitution, to ail citizens. All
| that is required is that in this respect its
| law shall be impartial. And We. this is the
| bill now returned by the Constitution in the
| President or Commander in-Cheif Of the
army. That instrument gives Congress the
! power to make all laws necessary and pro-
/ per for carrying into execution all powers
vested by the Constitution in the govern
ment Of the United States. or in any depart
ment or Office thereof The Presieent IL re
! quired, in carving out his..powers, to achieve
obedience to law, the very thing which he
refuses to do. He says; The tendency o.
this bill must be to resuseitate the spirit ol
rebellion" What an assumption in one who
denies the authority to punish those who vlo
| late United States laws under color of State
4 authority, a declaration from which the rebel
! lion sprung. in entire harmony with the
declaration of Mr.. Buchanan, that there wa.
no power to coerce State.
But. sir, out Of the mouth Of Senator An
drew johnson, will prove that Presiden
Andrew johnson has violated the spirit o
the Constitution, If not its letter, in vetoint
the bill 1t will be remembered that the bill
passed both houses Of Congress by more thar
two third majority. The vote in the Sen
ate being, yeas. 3s, nays, II; in the House
yeas, lis, nays 38.
will read from the remarks Of Senate
Andrew johnson, at the veto of the Home
stead bill by Mr.. Buchanan "The Presden
of the United States pesumes-Yes, sir, pre-
sumes-to dictate to the American people
and to the houses of Congress, in violation
of the spirit. if not the letter, of the Consti-
tuition, that this measure shall not become
law Why do say this / ask, is ther,
any difference in the spirit of the Constitu-
ton, whether measure is sanctioned by
two.third vote, before its passage, or after
wards7 When measure has been vetoet
by the President, the Constitution require
that it shall be reconsidered, and passed b.
two thirds vote, in order TO become law
But here, in the teeth Of the Executive