The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1866-04-05
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL VETOED.

objections are well founded.
When a man makes up his mind to
oppose particular line of policy, it is
not difficult for him to so constrne the
Constitution as to satisfy himself, at
least, that that policy is not in strict
accordance with it's provisions, and it
requires but short time for this idea
to assume the shape of an honest con
viction of right in the mind of the
individual If Mr.. Johnson is honest
in the position he has assumed, and we
feel disposed to give him credit for
honesty in the matter, we beg leave
most respectfully to suggest that he
has made some very grave mistakes in
his constitutional argument upon the
subject.
Stripped of all verbiage, the follow
ing is a truthful synopsis of the pro
visions Of this bill-we give it in or
der that our readers may determine for
themselves as to its justice, as well as
constitutionality
/. All persons born in the United
States, and not subject to any foreign
power, excepting Indians not taxed,
are declared to be citizens of the Uni
tedStates without distinction Of color or
former slavery, and shall have the same
rights of person and property, and be
subject to the same penalties as white
citizens and to no other.
2. Any person who shall, under col
or of law or otherwise, subject any in
habitant of any State or Territory to
any penalty or deprive him Of any
right, other than would pertain to a
white person under the same circum-
stances, shall be punished by fine not
exceeding 81 900 or imprisonment not
exceeding one year, or both.
3. The District Courts shall have,
exclusively of the State Courts, -juris-
diction over all cases arising under this
act, and concurrent jurisdiction with
the Circuit Courts in all cases affecting
persons who are denied or cannot en-
1O1CC LII GIlC SOul Uc vi GllC ACuduc WuClt
they may be, any of the rights secured
to them BY the first section, and such
cases. if begun in State Courts may be
removed thither on application.
4. The officers of the Federal Courts,
and of the Freedmen's Bureau, are au-
thorized to institute proceedings in the
Courts for the protection of freedmen
i'm said Courts.
5. United State Commissioners may
arrest, examine and discharge or hold
to bail offenders under this act.
6. ANY United States Marshal refus-
ing to execute warrants under this act
shall be fined 81 600 FOR the use of the
freedmen agrieved. The commits
sioner may call On the posse conaatotus
and military forces to aid them, and to
insure faithful observance Of the
clause of the Constitution which pro-
hibits slavery in conformity with the
provisions of this act.
Z. Any person resisting an officer Oh
person deputed to make arrests, OF aid
ing in the escape of party arrested
shall be subjected to a fine of $1,000
and six months imprisonment-to be
tried by United States Court, on in
dictment.
8. Regulates the fees of officers.
9. The President may direct special
sessions of the Courts, for the more
speedy arrest and trial of guilty parties
under this act.
! 10. The President may employ thu
land and naval forces and militia to en-
force it.
IL. On all questions Of the law aris
ing Hereunder, appeal may be taken t
the Supreme Court of the Unitet
States.
We have not room for the President
learned treatise on constitutional law
the details of which lose their impo1
tance in the apparent disposition of tn
President to veto any and all measure
looking to the final settlement of tn
difficulties attending the reorganizatio
of the States and the admission of tn
Southern members of Congress. w
think with the Bucyrus Journal that &C
majority of Congress are determine
that no Southern member will be aC
mitted, until some act has been passe
that will secure, by Federal authority
l to the four millions of freedmen er
joyment and protection in their civ
l rights-the right to their earnings, til
2 right to protection from bodily harl
and personal abuse, etc.,-and in tn
e we think Congress clearly right. I'll
g Civil Rights Bill guaranteed these ar
nothing more,-but President Johnsc
has vetoed it; and Judging from Il
st past, we may expect that in the futu
3, any act passed by Congress looking
4 guaranteeing to freedmen their cir
It rights, will be vetoed by the Preside
> and thus to the end of his term the
le will be no settlement of the difficult
ID attending this question"
D. We agree with the Cincinnati 6
s. zette, when it says that the civil rigf
ot bill was to carry out the bill of righ
to secure to the people those rigl
that are guaranteed in our Constituti
iy and in every constitutional govel
e. ment If the Legislature has not
ty power to enforce what the CONSTITUTE
ne declares to be the right of every m,