The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-03-28
- ofdinafY poMef b ID .bc .confsrred npo


to the people, TO whose number the discre-
tion Of the Commissioners Is the only limit,
and IN whose hands such authority might
be made q terrible engine of wrong, OPP
preston and fraud. The general statutes
regulating the land and naval forces of the
United States, the military and the eNecu-
tion of the laws are believed 10 be adequate
for any emergency which can occur In
time Of peace. IL Il should prove other
wise, Congress may ut any time amend
those laws in such manner as will
maintain the public welfare without
impairing the rights. interests and liberties
of the people, The section provides that a
fee OF ten dollars shall De paid 20 each COM
missioner In every case brought before hinl,
and \ fee Of five dollars to his deputy, or
deputies for each person he or they may
arrest and take before any such commis-
sioner, and such other fees rs may be
deemed reasonable by such commissioner,
IN genera, for performing such other duties
as may be required in the premises. All
these fees are To be paid out of the treas
ury of the United States, whether there is
a conviction or not, but In case of conyic-
tion they are 10 be recoverable from the de-
fendent. II seems to me that under the in
fuence OF such temptations bad men might
convert any law, however benficent into
an instrument of persecution and fraud.
By the Sth section of the bill the United
for white citizens, must migrate with the
Marshal and District Attorney. and nee
essarily with the Clerk, although he is not
mentioned, to any part of the district upon
the order of the President, and there hold
court for the purpose of the more speedy
arrest and trial of persons charged with a
violatioEeof this act, and there the Judge
and officers of the court must remain upon
the order of the President for the time
therein designated,
The ninth section authorizes the Presi-
dent or such person as he may empower
for that purpose, TO employ such part of the
land or naval forces of the United States,
or the militia. as shall be necessary. to pre-
vent the violation and enforce the due exc
cution of this act. This language seems to
imply a permanent military force that Is
TO be always at hand, and whose only
business is to be the enforcement of tlfs
measure over the vast region, where it is
intended to operate. | do not propose to
consider the policy of this bill.
To me the details of the bill are 'fraught
with evil. The white race and black
race of the South have hitherto lived to-
gether under the relation of master and
slave, capital owning labor Now that
relation Is changed, and as to ownership
capital and LABOR are divorced. they
stand now, each master of itself. In this
new relation. the one being necessary to
the other there viii be new adjustment
which both are deeply interested in max
ing harmonious. Each has equal power
in settling the terms, and if left to the
laws that regulate capital and labor, it is
confidently believed that they will salts
factorily work out the problem Cap
ital, IL Is true, has more intelligence, but
labor is never so ignorant as not to un-
derstand its own interests, not to know its
own value, and not to see that capital
must pay that value. This bill illustrates
this adjustment IL intervenes be-
tween capital and labor, and attempts to
settle questions of political economy
through the agencies of numerous offi-
cials, whose interest 1t will be to fomcnt
discord between two races, for as the
breach widens, their employment will
continue, and when it is closed their oc-
eupation will terminate. In all our his
tory, in all our experience as people liy-
Tag under Federal and State laws. No
such system as that contemplated by the
details of this bill, has ever before been
proposed or adopted. They establish for
the colored race safeguard which goes in
hniGely beyond any that the General Gov
ernment has ever provided for the white
race. In fact the distinction of race and
color Is by the bill made TO operate in favor
OF the colored. and against the white race
ihey Interfere with the municipal legisla-
tlon OF the states, with the relations exist
ing exclusively between State and ia
citizens. or between inhabitants of the
same state, and an ABSORPTION and assump-
tion of power by the General Government.
which, IL acquiesced In, must stop and de-
stroy our federative system OF limited
powers, and break down the barriers which
preserve the rights of the States 1t is an
other step, or rather stride toward central
ization.and the concentration of all legisla-
alive power In the national government
1 The tendency OF this bill must be To re-
suscitate the spirit OF rebellion. and so re-
sist the progress OF those influences which
are more closely drawing around the States
the bonds of Mon and peace, NV lamen-
ted predecessor in his proclamation Of the
LIST of january. 1868. ordered and declared.
that all persons held as slaves within GER
tain States, and part of States therein des-
lgnated. were and thenceforward should be
free and farther that The Executive Gov
ernment of che United States inclnding the
military and naval authorities, thereof
would recognize and maintain the freedom
OF such persons. This guaranty has been
rendered especially obligatory and sacred
by the amendment ofthe CONSTITUTION ahol
ishing slavery throughout the Cnited
States. therefore fully recognize the OBJ
legation 10 protect and defend Thar class of
our people whenever and wherever ii shall
become necessary, and to the fun pytenf
compatible with the Constitution OF the
United States. .7'yita CIln " ~ ~
Entertaining these sentiments. it only
remains for me TO say that will cheer
fully cooperate witch Congress in any
measure that may be necessary for the
preservation fthe civil rights of Freed
men, rs well as those Of all other classes of
persons throughout the United States. by
judicial process under equal and IMPARTIAL
laws, or conformably with the positions of
the Federal Constitution. -
l now return the bill to the Senate. and
regret that in considering the bill, and Joint