Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-28
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Proceedings of Congress.

WASHINGTON, March q.
ASENATE.-The Senate was occupied with the case
Of Mr. Stockton, of New Jersey, and ruled him out
by one majority This action gives the Republican
Legislature of New Jersey an opportunity to elect
Republican in his place. 81
The pretext for ousting Mr.. Stockton was that he
was elected by plurality instead Of majority Of
the members of the former Legislature,
The President sent in veto of the Civil Rights
Bill. He says:
By the first section of the bill all persons born in
the United States and not subject to any foreign
Power, excluding Indians not taxed are declared to
be citizens Of the United States.
This provision comprehends the Chinese of the
Pacific States, Indians subject to taxation and the
people called Gypsies as we'll the entire race de-
sgnated as blacks, people of color, negroes mulat-
toes, and persons of African blood. Every indi.
vdua of these races born in the United States is by
the bill, made citizen Of the United States 1t
does not purport to declare or confer any other
right of citizenship than Federal citizenship, and
does not purpot to give these classes of persons any
status as citizens of States, except that which may
result from their status citizens of the United
States.
The power to confer the right Of State citizenship
is Just as exclusively with the several States as the
power to confer the right of Federal citizenship as
with Congress. The right of Federal citizenship
thus 10 be conferred on the several excepted races
before mentioned is now, for the first tme proposed
to be given by law. The bill, in effect, pro-
poses 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 Eof necessity, from his previous unfortunate
condition Of servitude be less informed as to the
nature and character of our institutions than he
who, coming from abroad, has to SOM extent at
least amiliarized himself with the principles of gov
erement to which he voluntarily entrusted life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness Yet, it is now pro-
posed by single legislative enactment, to confer
the rights of citizens upon all persons of African
descent born within the extended limits of the United
States while persons of foreign birth, who make our
land their homes must undergo probation of five
years. and can only then become citizens upon proof
that they are of good moral character, attached to
the principles of the institutions Of the United States,
and well.disposed to the good order and happiness
of the same.
In reviewing these sections of the bill, he says
If it be granted that Congress repeal all State
laws discriminating between whites and blacks,
in 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 suffrage and oicel If Con-
gress can declare by law who shall hold lands, who
shall testify who shall have capacity to make con-
tract in State, then Congress can, by law, also de-
clare who, without regard to color or race, shall
have the right to sit as juror or as judge or to
hold any other Office, and, finally to vote in every
State and Territory of the United States.
As respects the Territories, they come within the
power of Congnss-for, as to them the law making
power is the Federal power; but as to the States no
similar provision exists vestng in Congress the pow
er to make rules and regulations for them. The
President says in conclusion: In all our history,
in all our experience people, living under Fede-
raj and State law, no such system as that contem-
plated by The details of this bill has before been
proposed or adopted. They establish for the secu-
rity of the colored race safeguards, which go inf
nitely beyond any that the General Government has
ever provided for the white race. They interfere
with the municipal legislation of the States,
with the relations existing exclusively be-
tween q State and its citizens, or be-
tween the inhabitants of the same State,
in the absorption and assumption of power by the
General Government, which, if acquesced in, must
sap and destroy our federative system of limited
powers and break down the barriers which preserve
the rights of the States. It isanohor STEP or rather
stride, towards Capitalization aud the concentration
of all legislative powers in the National Govern
ment The tendency of the bill must be to resusci-
tate the spirit of rebellion and to arrest the progress
of those influences which are more closely drawing
around the States the bonds of Union and peace.
My amented predecessor in his proclamation of
the LIST of January, 1863 ordered and declared that
all persons held as slaves, within certain States
and parts of States therein designated were
and thenceforward should be Free and further, that
the Executive Government of the United States, in
Guiding the military and naval authorities thereof
would recognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons. This guarantee has been rendered especi-
ally obligatory and sacred by the amendment of the
Constitution abolshing slavery throughout the
| United States. therefore fully recognize the obi
CATION to protect and defend that class Of our peO
ple whenever and wherever it shall become neces
sary, and to the full extent compatible with the Con-
| sttution of the United States Entertaining these
sentiments it only remains for me to say that will
cheerfnlly cooperate in any measure that may he
necessary for the protection of the civil rights Of the
freedmen as we'll as those of all other classea of per-
sons throughout the United States by judicial pro-
cess, under equal and impartial laws. in conformity
with the provisions of the Federal Constitution.
now return the bin to the Senate, and regret that
in considering the bill and joint resolutions, forty.
| two in number which have been thus far submitted
| for my approval, / am compelled to withhold my
assent from n second measure that has received the
sanction of both houses Of Congress.
The consideration of the message was postponed
until tomorrow. t.
HoUsE,-A report of evidence was made to-day
| from the Committee of Reconstruction from which
it appears that among the more important, witnesses
examined in relation to Virginia were Judge I'm.
derwood, Lewis Mckenzie, General Turner, COM
handing the post at Richmond, Major-Geneial Ter.
ry, Colonel Orlando Brown Charles H. Lewis, late
Secretary of the Commonwealth General Robert Z.
William 4, Joynes, John NJ. Bolts and Others from
that State, including seven negroes, were also ex-
amned.
General Lee represents that nothing like senti:
ment of hostility to the United Ststes Government
exists in Virginia. that there are no combinations
or cOnspiracies having that end in view; that the
people, though disappointed and sadssened by the
result of the war; aceep: that result submissively,
and only leaking to their material interests,
and that the surest and speediest means Of recon-
| Cling the people to the Government, and making
them its cordial supporters, is to extend to them
equal political rights with the people of the other
States
As to the negroes, he expresses te belief, which he
says he has long entertained that the State would be
much bGttor without them, and he repudiates the
idea that crueltes were purposely inflicted Fede
raj prisoners of war. ...... .f
The testimony Of the members Of the Virginia Le-
gislature- gentlemen who had come as a delegation
to President Jolnson-was equally important and
interesting, They concur in opinion as to the COM
pete absence of any feeling looking to renewal of
the contest with the Government The question: Of
secession, they say, was settled by the sword and
the people were content to abide by tha decision and