The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-04-11
THE SECOND VETO.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.

The following is synopsis Of the Prssi.
dents message, ve,oiDg the Civil Right's
Bill :"
by the first section OF the bill, all per,
sons born in the United States, and not
subject to any foreign power, excluding
Indians not taxed, are declared to be
citizen; OF the United States.
This provision compreheuds the Chinese
of the Pacific States, Indians subject to
taxation, ard the people called Gypsies,
as we'll as the entire race designated as
blacks, people Of color, negroes, mulattoes,
and persons Of African blood. Every in.
! dividual Of these races born in the United
States is, by the bill, made citizen Of the
United States. 1t does not purport to
declare ol confer any other right OF cili'
zenship, and doe, 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 righ. Of State
citizenship, is just as exclusively with the
several States as the power to confer the
right Of Federal citizenship is with Con
gsess. The right Of Federal citizenship
thus 10 be conferred on the several sx.
cep.sd races before mentioned, is now, for
the first time. proposed to be given by
law. The bill, in effect, proposes dis,
elimination again; large numbers Of
foreigners, and in favor Of the negro, TO
whom, after long ysars Of bondage, the
avenues to freedom and intelligence have
now been suddenly opeued. He must OF
necessity, from his previous unfortunate
condition Of servitude. he less informed
as TO the nature and character Of our in
stitu;ions than be who, coming from
abroad, has to some extent, a, least
famrliarizsd himself with the principles o
government to which he voluntarily en-,
trusted life, liberty and the pursuit oI
happiness. Yet, it is now proposed by a
single legislative enactment to confer toe
rights Of citizens upon all persons oI
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 o
the institutions Of the United States, and
we'll disposed to the good order aud hap
pinen Of the same.
ln reviewing these section; Of the bill
he esays: II it be granted that Congress
can repeal all State laws discerning a ting
between whites and blacks on the sub
jscts covered by this bill, why, it may b,
asked, may not Congress repeal in th,
same way all State laws discriminating
between the two races on the subjects O
, suffrage and cfiics. If Congress can de
clare by law who shall hold lands, wb,
, shall testify, who shall have capacity I,
make contract in a State, then Con
, grsss can by law also declare gno, With
0 out regard to color or race. shall have tn
right to act as juror or as a Judge, or t
hold any other office, and, finally, tovot
in every State and Territory OF the Unite,
States.
| AS respects the Territories. they com
s within the power Of Congress, for as t
|, them the lsw'making power is the Esdei
$ al power; but as to the Sta,es, no simila
. provision exists vssting in Congress tn
D power to make rules and regulations fc
4 them. The President says, in conclusion
4 in all our history-in all our expsrienc
}. a people living under Federal an
State law--no. such system as that cor
$ templated by the details Of this bill bs
o ever bofors been proposed or adopted
They establish for the security OF III
colorsd race safeguards which 60 infnit
u ly beyond any that the General Cover
a men, has ever provided for the white rae
!, They interfere with the municipa legi
Q lation Of the States, with the relations e.
70 is,ing exclusively between a State an
its citizens, or between the iuhabi,an