Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-11


sage, had denied the Constitutional power of
the general government to extend the elective
franchise to negroes, but he equally decided
in the assertion of the right of every man to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This
was his language: But while have no doubt
that now. after the close of the war, it is not
competent for the general government to ex-
tend the elective franchise in the several States,
II is equally clear that good faith requires the
security of the freedmen in their liberty and
| their property" There were me members OF
Congress who expressed the opinion that in the
reorganization OF the rebellious St ties the right
OF suffrage should be extended to the colored
man, though this was not the prevailing senti-
ment of Congress. A were anxious for d re-
organization of the rebellious States, and their
admission to participation in the Federal Gov
eminent as soon as theSs relations could be re-
stored with safety TO all concerned.
Feein" the importance of harmonious action
between the different departments of the gov
ernnent, and au anxious desire TO sustain the
President, for whom | had always enl rtaned
| the highest respect, had frequent interviews
With him during the early part of the session.
Without mentioning anything said by him, |
may with safety say that acting from consider
atoms nave stated, and believing that the pas
sage ct law by Congress securing equality in
cIyi! rights when denied by statute. for freed
men and all other inhabitants of th. United
States, would do much to relieve anxiety in the
! North-to induce the Southern States to Sc
cure those rights by their OWE action, and
thereby remove many OF the obstacles TO an
early reeonstucIlon. | prepared the bill sub
stantlaly as II Is now returned with the Presi-
dents objections. After the bill was intro
duced and printed. copy furnished him
aad q. subssqpent FeTiod, when it was re-
ported that te was hesltating about signing the
freedmens Bureau bill, be Informed of
the condition OF the Civil Rights bill, then
pending IN the House, and hope expressed
that If he had objections TO any of its provis-
ions he would make them known to its friends,
that they might be remedIed-f not destruc-
tive of the measure that there was believed
TO De no disposition on the part of Congress
and certainly none on my part-to have bill
reported 10 N which ne could not approve
He nsver indicated to me-nor SO lar as |
know, to any OF its triends-the least objection
TO any OF the provisions of the bill Ill after It's
passage. AM how could ne consistently with
himself The bill was framed, as vas supposed,
IN entire harmony with MS views, and Certainly
IN harmony with what he was then, and has
since been dong IN protecting freedmen in their
civil rights ali through the rsbelIous States
Ii "as strictly limited TO the protection of civil
rights belonging 10 every freeman-the right
OF every American cltizen-and carefully
avoided interfering with political rights or pri-
yate rights Of an. Kind. The bill nzither con
ers nor abridses the RI ghts OF any one, but
SIMPLY declares that in civil rights there shall
be al equality among all classes OF citizens, and
shat al alike shall be subject 10 the same pun
lshmeui. Each StaIe-sO il does not abrIdge
the great fundamental rights belonging under
the Constitution 10 all cItlzsns-may grant or
withhold such civil rights as it pleases All that
is required is that in this Respect law snail De
impartial. And Yet this Is the bill now retur ed
with the Presidents objecuons-and such OBJ
Jectons What are they That in all our his
torl III all our experience as . people living
unaer political and State aws-no such system
as lat contemplated by the details of this bill
has ever before been proposed or adopted
Have not already SHOWN ID the action Of the
President himself, through Gen. Slckles decar-
ing tnat all lave stall De apple ,ble alike to all
inhabitants, anu IN tue Various act. Of Congress
a precedent of this bill?
Ihs details of the bill, says the President.
establish tor the security c. the c3lored race
safeguards which go Infinitely beyond any that
lhe Ueheral Government has ever provided for
the "nte race With what truth this can be
sald OF Dill which declares that the civil rights
aud the punishment, of all races, including OF
course the colored, shall be the same as those
ihey-tne detalls-says the President, interfere
with the legislation of the States, to which the
status OF It's citizens exclusively belong-an ob-
serNaloh ana assumption of power bv the Gen
efai 0oVernment which, II acQuiesced in mus
sap aGd destroy tederatiye system or lin
ited powers, and break down the barriers which
preserve the rights OF the States. L IS another
step, or rather stride, toward Capitalization anf
the concentration OF ali legislative powers in the
| national government. All this IS said bv
President who, by his own nat, issued through
GENERAL toward, set aside an act of the legi--
| AZURE Ct mississippi. and by another order
through General Terry IN act of he Virginia
legislature, and forbade any magistrate or ciyl
oihcer from attempting TO execute; also, through
0eneral Candy, ordered The State Courts 10 his
department 10 suspend all suits against persons
charged with ofenses for which white persons
were not punished and We all know the pen
| atty which would have been visited upon State
Judges or officers for violations of aoy of thes
orders. President who after vetoing a pro-
vision OF the freedmen's lreau bill because
Il secured the cccupaton Of lands under Major
| General Sherman's order for the limited period
OF three years, himself Issued an order within
less than thirty days at;erwsrd through H. W
Smith, Assistant AdIutant General. directing
| that grants OF land 10 the freed people, IN com
| Pilance with General Sherman's special field
ORDER No 10, dated January IL, 1866. sill De
regarded as good and valid Well NAV We ex-
claim, IN view If these acts OF the President, 10
| ms own language, when discussing veto of
President Buchanan: Oh. consistency thou
art Jewel much 10 be admired but seldom 10
| be found In view ot these facts. who is il
| that is breaking down the barriers OF he Sites
ana making strides towards Capitalization Is
II Congress by the passage OF his bill. or Inc
| fI4r. no
himself far greater powers than any conferred
by this bll! : Let it not be said that the Presi-
dent exercises these vast powers by virtue OF
the war power He told US in his annual mes
sage that the war over aud whether over
or not, no incidental powers are vested by the
Constitution IN the President-either as Presi-
dent or Comma ade r-in-C Chief of the army. l hat
instrument gives Congress power make all
laws necessary and proper for carrying into ex-
ecution all powers vested by the Constitution
in the Government OF the United States, OF in
any department or office thereof. The Pres
dent is required in carry log out his powers, to
act ln obedience to law-the very thing which
he refuses to do.
lie says the tendency of tlis bill must l,e to
resuscitate the pirit OF lhe rebellion. w ha,
assumption IN one who denies the authority to
punish those who violate United States laws
| under color of State authority I? doctrine from
whioh the rebellion sprung, and in entire hsr-
mony with the declaration of Mr. Buchanan,
/ that there no power 10 coercs State. But
s.r, out of the mouth of Senator Andrew John.
| son L will prove that President Andrew John
son has violated the sp rit of the Constitution
if not its letter. in vetoing this bill. 1t will be
RENE N bered the bill passed both Houses Of
Congress by more than two-thirds ma lority
THE vote IN the Senate being ayes SO, Lays