The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-20
THE VETO MESSAGE.

The following is the Veto Message of the Presi-
tives on the 18th inst:
careful examination of the bill passed by the
two Houses Of Congress, entitled "An act to con-
tnue in force, and to amend an act to establish
bureau for the relief of freedmen and refugees,
and for other purposes" has convinced me that
the legislation which it proposes would not be
consistent with the welfare Of the country, and
that it falls clearly within the assigned in
my message OF the 18th of February last, return
ing without my signature similar measure which
originated in the Senate. It is not my purpose to
repeat the obje ,tions which then urged. They
are fresh in your recollection, and can be readily
examined as part of the records OF one branch
principles set forth in that message, l
now reafiirm them and the line Of policy
which this kiud of legislation can 10 fus-
titled is that of the war making power, and the
act Of which this bill is intended as amendatory
was passed during the existence of the war. BY
year from the Cessation Of hoatilites and the dec
iaraon = Ct peace M yet in nee
as the freedmen may require the benefits of its
Ms a law untit s6n,sNEiainly- remain in operation
experience shall make evident the neaegsRifey' jf
additional legislation, the TWO Houses will have
ample time to mature and pass the requisite
measures. In the meantime the questions arise,
Why should this war measure be continued
beyond the period designated in the origi-
nal act? and why, in time of peace, should mill
cary tribunals be created to continue until each
State shall be fully restored in its constitu-
ton tionsl relations alton to the Government, and
respect to the act approved March 8, 1865, that
prudence prudence and wisdom alike required that
{rea en;nUmnt 4feF f ba az cases concerning the
citizenship, well as the protection of person and
property, should be conferred upon some tribu-
nal in every State or district where the ordinary
course OF judicial proceedings was interrupted by
the rebellion, aud until the should he fully re-
stored: AT that time, therefore, urgent neces.
sity existed for the passage OF such law, now
the war has substantially ceased. The ordinary
course of judicial proceeding is no longer inter-
rupted. The Courts, both State and Federal, are
through them every person, regardless of race
and color, ,s entitled to and can be heard. The
protection granted to the white citizen is already
conferred by law upon the freedmen. Strong and
stringent guards, by way OF penalties and punish
ments, are thrown around his person and proper
ty, and it is believed that ample protection will
be afforded him by due process Of law, without
resort to the dangerous expedient Of military tr-
bunals Now that the war has been brought
suoh tribunals as had their origin in the war;
grave objections to their continuance must
present themselves to the minds of all re-
11ecting and di"passionate: Independently of the
danger in representative Republics Of comforting
upon the military in time Of peace extraordinary
powers, 80 carefully guarded against by the
Republic, frequently the ruin Of governments
founded upon the came free principles, and sub
versive OF the rights and liberties OF the citizen
The question Of practical economy earnestly com-
Ing power. With an immense debt already
6urdening the energts Of the industrial and
1nboring elasses, due regard for their interests
80 inseparaUly cOnnrce ell with the welfare OF the
country, should prompt us to rigid economy and
retrenchment and Influence us to abstain from all
legislation that would unnecessarily increase the
public Indebtedness. Tested by this rule OF sound
political WISDOM Can see ne reason for the esab-
Gshment Of the military jursdic,iun conferred upon
the officials OF the Bureau by the fourteenth Sec
tion Of the bill BY the laws or the United States and
OF the different States competent courts, Federal
and State, have been established and are now in
full practical operation. BY means Of these civil
tribunals, ample redress is afforded for all private
wrongs, whether to the person or tho property of
The citizen. without denial or unnecessary delay.
They ere open to ali, without regard TO color or
race feel well assured that it will be better to
trust the rights, privileges and immunities Of the
citizens to tribunals thus established and presided
over by competent and impartial judges bound
by fixed rules Of law and evidence, and when
the right of trial by fury il guaranteed and secured
than to the caprica or Judgment Of an officer OF
the Bureau, who 1t il possible may be entirely g-
norant OF the principles that underlie the just ad-
inistration Of the law. There is danger, too that
conflict of u isdctiOn will frequently arise between
tho civil courts and these military tribunals, each
having concurrent jurisdiction over the person
and cause action; the one jurisdiction admins
tered and controlled by civil law, the other by mill
tary. How is the conflict 10 be settled and who is
to determine between the two tribunals, when it
ariseB2 In my opinion IL is wise tO guard against
such conflict by leaving to the courts and juries
the protection uf all civil rights and the redress
Of al civil grievances. The fact cannot be denied
that since the aeuai cessation of hostlities many
witnessed in their previous history, have occurred
in the States involved in the recent rebellion.
believe, however, that public sentiment will su1-