The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-03-31
Tho Second. Veto.

Tho Second Veto.
The following is a synopsis of the
Presidents message, vetoing the
s'Civil Rights bill': .
BY the first section of the bill, all
persons born in the United States,
and not subject to any foreign powe1:,
excluding Indians not taxed, are de-
clared to be citizens of the Uni,ed
States.
This provision comprehends the
Chinese of the Pacific States, Indians
subject to taxation, and the people
called Gypsies, as well as the entire
lrace designated rs blacks, people of
color, negroes, mulattoes, and persons
of African blood. Every individual
of these races born in the United
States is, by the bill, made citizen
of the United States. It does not
purport to declare or confer any
other right of citizenship than Fede-
raj citizenship, and does not purport
to give these classes OF persons any
status as citizens of States, except that
which may result from their status as
citizens of the United States.
The power to confer the right of
State citizenship, is just as exclusive
ly with the several States as the power
to confer the right of Federal citi-
zenship is with Congress. The right
OF Federal citizenship thus to be con
ferred on the several excepted races
before mentioned, is now, for the
first time, proposed to be given by
law. The bill, in effect, proposes a
discrimination against large numbers
of foreigners, and in favor Of the
negro, to whom, after long years of
bondage, the avenues to freedom and
Intelligence have now been suddenly
opened. He must of necessity, from
his previous unfortunate condition of
servitude, be less informed as to the
nature and character of our institu-
tions than he who, coming from
abroad, has to some extent, at least,
familiarized himself with the princi-
pies of government to which he vo-
luntarily entrusted life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. Yet, it is
now proposed by single legislative
enactment to confer the rights of citi-
zens upon all persons of African do
scent born within the extended limits
of the United States, while persons
of foreign birth who make our land
their homes must undergo q proba-
ton of five years, and can only then
become citizens upon proof that
| they are of good moral character, at
tached to the principles of the insti-
tutions of the United States, and we'll
disposed to the good order and hap
piness of the same.
In reviewing these sections of the
bill, he says: If it be granted that
Congress can repeal all State laws
discriminating between whites and
blacks ON the subjects covered by this
bill, why, it may be asked, may not
Congress repeal in the same way all
State laws discriminating between
the two races on the subjects of suf-
frage and Office? If Congress can
declare by law who shall hold lands,
who shall testify, who shall have ca
paclty TO make a contract in State,
then Congress can by law also declare
who, without regard to color or race,
Shall have the right to act as juro,
or as judge, or to hold any other
offce, and, finallX,,to vote in every
State and territory ofLthe United
ISSis-ss
- Is respects the Territories, they
" che within the power of Congress,
,ss f, as to them the making power
le' ishe Federal power; but as to the
Sites, no similar provision exists
er v,ting in Congress the power te
le nike rules and regulations for them
'e Tie President says, in conclusion, il
: al our history-in all our experience
s. asa people living under Federal anc
e Safe law-no such system rs tina
n chtemplated by the details of thi
> bill has ever before been proposed o.
), adopted They establish for the Sc
: crrity of the colored race safeguard
which go infinitely beyond any tina
the General Government has eve
provided for the white race. The,
Interfere with the municipal legisla
ton of the States, witt. tie Ie..sion
: existing exclusively between a Stat
and its citizens, or between the inha
bitants of the same State, in tn
5 absorption and assumption of powe
by the General Government, which
: if acquiesced in, must sap and destro,
our federative system of limited
, powers, and break down the barrier