The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-01

H~-- 1N
SPEECH OF MR. DENNIsON.
In responding to your friendly call,
let me express my qualification in see-
ing so large an assemblage Of the good
people Of this city to respond TO the
patriotic efforts of the President ito
resotre the constitutional relations be-
tween the Federal Government and all
the States IN the Union" as displayed
in his proc.amalJus TO the people, and
in bi5 messages 20 Congress. II Is right
sir, that this great city should lose no
time in pTonCunCing its opinion upon
the polite situation Of the country,
and 10y its cOunsels contribute, as thev
must largely contribute, to the ~reliey-
ing OF that situation from the embar-
easements that now surround it. l
have not believed, and do not now be-
leYe, that there IS any necessity for
permanent diiference between the
President and the Union members of
Congress on any really practical legis-
latI0n relating TO the States lately in
rebellion and regard this meeting, COM
posed of citizens of New York who
sustained the national authority in the
war against the rebellion, a. q most en-
couraging augury, iLat the dangers
which seem 10 threaten tue Union or
ganizstIou WILSON pass awsv, and that
that great party, whicb ia the field, on
sea, and at the baliot-box has saved the
nation, VIII preserve lis vigorous unity,
and, under Providence, fully accom-
piish the great work of its patriotic mis-
sion. Will. be said that IN this hope
we are doomed TO disappointment, be-
cause OF tue recent act OF the Presi-
dent IN returning u Congress the
treeincn's Bureau Bill with his OBJ
iectious to It's becoming p law l ans
wer no.. What does the President saw
in his veto message? Not that he is
opposed to the extending Of protection
20 the freedmen and refugees of the
South, because he Is now doing that
under existing law. Not that he IS op.
posed TO the principle OF a bill for the
relief Of the freedmen and refugees,
because he Is executing the existing
law vigorously aud in good faith. What
does he say IN his message Let me
read o few Of the opening paragraphs
" To the Senate Of the United Safes:
d" ! have examined with care the bill
which originated in the Senate, and
has been passed by the two houses of
Congress, to amend an act entitled AN
act 10 establish a Bureau for the Relief
of Freedmen and Refugees, and for
other purposes. Having with much
regret, come to the conclusion that it
would not be consistent with the pub
lie welfare to give my approval to the
measure, / return the bin to the Senate
with my objections TO lis becoming a
law.
"Imight call to mind, IN advance of
these objections, that there is no imme-
date necessltyfo the proposed measure
The act 10 establish a Bureau for the
relief of Freedmen and Refugees,
which was approved in the month OF
March last hss not yet expired Il
was thought stringent and extensive
enough for the purpose in view. Be.
fore It ceases to have effect further
experience may assist to guide US TO a /
wise conclusion as TO the policy TO be
adopted in time of peace.
al have, with Congress, the strongest
desire 10 secure to the freedmen the
full enjoyment of their freedom and
their property, and their entire indie
pendence and equality in making con-
tracts for their Labor"
Why, then, the veto ? Let the mes
sage itsel, answer the question. "Tbe
bin before me, says the President
contains provisions which, in nv opin-
are not warranted by the Consii-
and are not well suited 70 sc-
,omplish the end IN view" With these
convictions, what else could the Presi-
dent have done but 10 return The bill
be did Let me commend YOU, nv
.ellow-citiZens, 30 a careful and dispss.
ionate consideration OF the message
tself Can IL be that the President
Who has never failed 70 sigualize his
devotion 10 the best interests OF the
country So he has understood those in
erests to be; who, from early man
.ood, fought the cause Of the rebellion
n his uuyielding opposition to the
-arlstOcracy Of the South who
ought treason, face 20 face, in the Sen.
.te OF the United States, and in Ten ]
lessee, WIN q helolSm not eXcellei. If
qualed, Toy any other public character:
adopted and has executed, and is :
executing, IN good faith, The es- I
antlal features Of his martyred prede- d,
ess0rs programme for the reconstruc.
on Of the Insurgeut States. a nr-. r
ramme sanctioned by every member r.
his Cabinet Can it be. l ask. that
It'll such record and such a charac- F
II, the President would now perform ?
, grave an act as the vetoing a bin
lpr0ved by nearly al the Union 20
.embers OF Congress, looking TO the {
lmedIate welfare OF four millions Of
yal people, unless impelled 10 do so I
the weiEuuest of reasons. and the 4
convictions Of duty. The d.
leave 10 the intelligence and "
e patriotism Of the country. TAp. he
ause co