The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-03-28
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

majority. E
The President sent in his veto of the Civil
Rights Bill He says: "By the first section
of the bill all persons being in the United
States and not subject to any foreign powers
excluding Indians not taxed, are declared to
be citizens of the United States. This provi-
sion cJmprehends the Chinese of the Pacific
States. Indians subject to taxation, the peo-
pie known as Gipsies, as well as the entire
race designated as blacks, people of color, ne
groes, 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. 1t does not purport to
declare or confer any other right of citizen
ship than Federal citizenship; it does not pur-
port to give these classes of persons any stat
US 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 exclusively with
the several States, as the power to confer
right of federal citizenship 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 discrimination
against large numbers of intelligent, worthy
aud patriotic 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 ne
cessity, from his previous unfortunate condi-
ton Of servitude, be less informed as to the
nature and character of our institutions than
he VINO, coming from abroad, has to some ex,
tent at least, famliarized himself with the
| principles Of the government to which he
voluntarily entrusted life, liberty aud the pur-
suit of happiness Yet it is now proposed, by
a single legislative enactment, to confer the
| rights Of citizenship upon all persons of Airi-
can 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 Constitution of the Uni
ted States, and well disposed to the good order
and happiness of the same. In reviewing
these sections of the bill, he says Ii it be
granted that Congress can 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 subject Of suf-
| frage and office. es
| If Congress can declare by law who shall
! hold land, who shall testify, who shall cause
and have capacity to make contract in
State, then the Congress en- by law declare
who, without regard to color or race, shall
have the right to sit as a juror, or as
Judge to hold any Office, a4d finally to vote in
every State and Territory of the U. States
AS respects the Territories, they come within
the power of Congress-for in them the power
is the Federal power; but az to the State, no
similar provision exists vesting in Congress the
power to make rules and regulations for them.
The President says, in conclusion:
In all our history, in all our experience as
people living under Federal and State laws,
no such system that contemplated by the
details Of that bill has ever been proposed or
| adopted. They establish, for the security of
the colored race, safeguards which 60 infinitely
beyond any that the General Government has
ever provided for the white race; they inter
fere with the municipal legislation Of the State;
with the relations existing between State and
its citizens, or between inhabitants of the
same State, i'll absorption and assumption of
powers by the General Government, which, if
acquesced in, must sap add destroy our Fed
eral system of limited powers, and break down
the barriers which preserve the rights of tile
/ OtfttSo ~ 10 aotuCi otCP, VI IdtilCI w.
wards Capitalization, and the concentration Of
all legislative powers in the National Govern
ment. The tendency of the bill must be to re-
suscitate the spirit of rebellion and to assist
| the progress OF those influences which are
more closely drawing around the State the
bonds of union and peace
My amented predecessor, II his procama
ton of the first Of January, 1868, 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
agents of the United States, including the
military and naval authorities, thereof, would
| recognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons. This guarantee has been rendered
especially obligatory and sacred by the amend
| ment of the Constitution abollshing slavery
throughout the United States ], therefore,
fully recognize the obligation to protect and
defend that class of our people. whenever and
wherever it shall become necessary, and to
the ull extent compatible with the Constitu-
ton Of the United States. Entertaining these
sentiments, it only remains for me to say that
| will cheertIlly cooperate with Congress in
any measure that may be necessary for the
protection Of the civil rights of the freedmen,
as we'll as those Of all other classes of persons
throughout the United States, by judicial pro-
cess, under equal and impartial laws in con-
| formity with the provisions Of the Feleral
constitution. as
now return the bill to the Senate and re-
gret, that in considering the bills and joint
resolutions, torty-two in number, which have
been thus far submitted for my approval,
am compelled to withhold MY assent from
second measure that has received the sanction
of both Houses Of Congress.
! The consideration of the Message was post
| poned until tomorrow.
Boston. March 26.--The Advertiser pub
! fishes an intercepted letter in oossessiau of