Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-03-02
THE VETO OF THE FREEDMEN's BUREAU
BILL.


Administration and the Radicale, and Preei-
dent johnson .has redeemed his pledges apd
yindicated his policy ty nm emphatic veto of
the Freedmeu's Burca au Bill This veto he has
sustained by message. stating his objections
clearly, forcibly and conclusively. He objects
to the bill as a whole, not to some Of ita pro-
visions merely. lie objects to its whole, scope
aud policy.-as nuconstitutiona! and inexpedi-
ent-as unjust as it is unnecessary.
The Dill proposes to establish by authority
of Congress, military jurisdiction, all parts
of the United States, containing refugees and
freedmen though it applies with most force to
those parts of the United States where freed
pen most abound, and extends the existing
temporary Jurisdiction of the Freedman's Blu
reau. with greatly enlarged power, over those
States where tho ordinary course of judicial
proceedings'has been interrupted by the war;
In those eleven States. the bill subjects any
white person who may be charged with de-
priving freedman of civil rights or immuni-
ties. o,fne or Imprisonment or bolh without
properly defining the rights which are thus
secured-extends this military jurisdiction to
all cases OF contracts-vest. the Office of militia
~ judge. in an agent who may be stranger
ignorant of the local lnw-provjdcs. for n trial
without the intervention Of jury, and accord
ing 10 such rules as the War Department .r1ny
prescrbe--dispenses with the necessity of any
previous presentlment of grand jury-imposes
such penalty as .Conrt Martial may think
proper--allows no appeal, no writ of error to
the tribunals of the country-the bill itself TO
have no limitation in point Of time. but to form
part of the permanent legislation of the coun.
try. All of which in. the opinion of the Pres-
dent are clearly opposed to the provisions of
the Constitution which guarantee to the citi-
zens speedy All impartial trial. after due pre-
sentiment by jury Of his peers. The estnb-
llshlnent of such a tribunal conld only be jus
tilted as q war measure. and would now .un.
of the country. by proclaiming to the world,
that the United States are still in condition
of civil war.
The details of the Bill are open to objections
equally serioua The third section of the Bill
authorizes general apd unlimited grant Of sup.
port to the destitute refugees aud freedmen
aud tue erection ofsuitable buildings for schools
and asylums, the expenses to be betrayed ont
of the general treasury. SucI, a scheme is un-
preoedsnted' in she history Of congreasona leg
islation, and would entail upon the Govern
pent an expense of s25. 600. .O0O-a sum greater
than. the entire annual expenses of the Govern.
ment during the administration of the second
Adams.
In addition to other objections, the 6fth sec
ton proposes to take away land from it's for.
msr owners. without any legal proceedings
whatever. contrary to the express provisions
OF the Constitutiop-land which whether sub
Jsct to. c9nfscation or not, could only be taken
ey due process of law.
AS further objection, the Bill would serl-
ously affect the Interests of the very clnss it il
designed to relieve. depriving the negro of tho
proper, ,st'mufps to labor. making him restless
and dissatisfied. and finally entsilisg upon the
Goyernmept. the support and control of four
millions Of ernancipated slayes by agents and
oVerseers appointed at Washington. and thus
unduly increasing the patronage of the Execu-
1--we.
Last but not 1eah, among the objections
which the President urges to the bill, is that
It has been passed without the snnc ion of the
eleven States who are most interested in it's
provisions; and in this connectio lie makes
strong argument exposing the Injustice and i'm.
Pohcy OF their exclusion. AS representative
OF the whole people, it becomes the duty of
he:Pfesident OF the United States to present
the ;cinims;bf those States upon Congress. In
the opinion Of the President, the Southern
States are fully restored to their constitutional
relations with the Government. and he think.
that with the restoration Of civil law. the
rights of all classes would.bs essentially pro
tected againt all unconstitutional Infringement
There Is hence no necessity Of further congress.
ional Liquidation on the subject"
Thus firmly does the President plant him.
self upon the highest Constitutional ground
and boldly make direct issue .with the Rad
icals. We are grati6ed to see that the veto hsi
been sustained in the Senate by a vote ofthir
.tyto eighteeu-the bill failing by four votes
Less than the necessary Two thirds, Two Sen.
ssess were absent whose votes would have bal
anced each other, and Mr.. Lane Of Kansas, it
is said voted with the majority, with the view
to move . irsconsjderation II necessary. :" The
bill ia dsaa1 aud no attempt will be made To
psyiys IT, ..<y. t.
: TIE veto message seems to be well received
gsnsrslly, and large. and enthusiastic meeting,
are being held in tie chief cities, for the pur.
,p,ss Of eudopiug, she mesauge and the: :Prcsi
aa.os' aa.oes' policy qf restoration.
Geo. A. Trenholm. Esq, with his
]shtsd hbsssaty5 hiss Pissented the Orange
bane fenalA Seminary, ,Rpildipgs ss q donation
70 tue Episcopal ra'sesis ssnif,sy Of South l,
-nDo1 b" IL s2-a4- a4-s-ls..1.sAl:sa-l :; ~sy
ofB-Thss Last wsshssstoS sasie.. snimn9s
that the Preaident In public .1spesshthss de.
ss ssss.' sss1ssi s.s ;'e s.ss ss.y
.fsM Fsrthssr detsisd and further sds1e,ope