The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-03

| Capital, it is true, has more intelligence
put 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
TINS adjustment. 1t intcrvenes between
capital and labor, and attempts to settle
duestlons of political economy through
inc agency of numerous officials. whose
interest 1t will be to foment discord be-
tween the two races; for. as the breach
wldens, their employment will continue.
terminate. ~
In all our history, in all our experience
as people living under Federal and State
law, no such system as that contemplated
py the details of this bill has ever before
Deen proposed or adopted. They establish
1or the security of the colored race safe
guards qua which go infinitely beyond any that
Ihe General Government has ever provided
1or 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
tAe white race. They interfere with the
numcIpai legislation Of the States, with
the relations existing exclusively between
State ana us citizens, or between the in
ton and assumption of power by the Gene
RAJ Government, which, if acquiesced in.
must sap and destroy our federa!iye sys,
tenn OF limited powers, and break dewn the
barriers which preserve the rights of the
states; 1t ls another step or rather stride
towards Gentrahzation and the concentra-
ton OF all legislative power in the National
Government. The tendency of tho bill
must be to resuscitate the spirit of rebel
hon and to arrest the progress of those in.
hurnees which are more closely drawing
around the States the bonds of union and
peace. "''o
My lamented predecessor, in his procla-
nation ha 1ct nf To-
and declared that all persons held as slaves
within certain States and parts of States
therein designated, were, and thencefor-
ward should be, free; and further, that
the Executive Government of the United
States. including the military and naval
authorities thereof, would recognize and
MAINTAIN m the freedom of such persons.
This guarantee has been rendered cspe-
clally obligatory and sacred by the amend
ment OF the Constitution abolishinp slavery
throughout the United States. | there
tore fully recognize the obligation to pro
tcct and defend that class of cur people
whenever and wherever it shall become
pie with the Constitution of the United
states. Entertaining these sentiments.
IL only remains for me to say that will
cheerfuily cooperate with Congress in any
measure that may be necessary for the
profession OF the civil rights of the freed
men, as well as those of all other classes
OF persons throughout the United States.
by Judicial process, under equal and inn
partial laws, in conformity with the proyi- |
slons of the Federal Constitution
now return the bill to the Senate. and
regret that, in considering the bills and
lolnt esolutions-forty-two in number
which have been thus far submitted for
my approval, am compelled to withhold
my assent from a second measure that has
received the sanction of both Houses OF !
Congress. ANDREW JOHNSON
WAsH1NGToN, ID. c., March 81, 1866.