The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-27
VETO BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
FREEDMAN'S BUREAU BILL.

FREEDMAN's BUREAU BILL.
The President, on Monday last, transmitted
o. Message to the Senate returning the amenda-
tory Freedman's Bureau bill, with bis obJec-
tions. He argues that the measure Is not 10
accordance with the Constitution, and states
that among its powers the one establishing an
agency in every county or parish gives the Execu-
five unlimited patronage, which could be exer-
csed for the purpose of attaining political ends,
liz the appointing power so wlIled IL.
The veto message is quite lengthy, and deals
with the bill not Only in its general character,
but, entering into details, argues against the
Justice and legality of various provisions con-
tanned in it. The President takes OCCASION to
express his views on the subject of representa-
tion as essential to the success and good man
aeea,ent of the Government. He thinks that
the representatives from these States, immedl-
ately affected BY the Freedmen's bill, should
have been present in Congress when measure
so closely connected with their interests was
being discussed, says he holds it to be bis duty
to recommend, in the interest of peace and In
the interest Of the Union. the admission OF every
State to its share in the public Legislation.
However rebellious the people may have been
they present themselves not only In loyal at
.titude, but with representatives whose loyalty
cannot be questioned under any existing constl-
tutional or legal test. Il concludes as follows:
ain accordance with the Constitution, l now re-
turn the bill to the Senate, in the earnest hope
that a measure involving questions and interests
so important to the country will not become a
law unless upon deliberate consideration by the
people"
We quote the following extract from the
Message, which contains the argument Of the
President in favor Of admitting the Southern
States to representation in Congress and voice
in the affairs of the Government:
Il cannot but add another very grave objec-
ton to this bill. The Constitution imperatively
declares, in connection with taxation that each
State shall have a: least one representative, and
fixes tie rule for the number to which, in future
times, each State shall be entitled. 1t also pro-
.vides that the Senate of the United States shall
sbe composed of two Senators from each State,
and adds, with peculiar force, that State with
out its consent shall be deprived of It's equal SUI
frage in the Senate. The original act Was neces-
sary passed in the absence of the States chiefly
to be affected, because their people were eonsu-
maciously engaged m the rebellion. Now, the
case is changed, and some, at least. of those
States are attending Congress by loyal Represen-
tatives, soliciting the allowance of the constitu-
rtonal right of representation. At the time, how
ever, of the consideration and the passing of this
bill, there no Senator or Representative in
Congress from the eleven States which are to be
mainly affected by its provisions. The very fact
that reports were and are made against the good
disposition of the people Of that portion of the
country. is an additional reason why they need
and should have representatives Of their own in
sCongress to explain their condition, reply to ac-
cusationS, and assist, by their local knowledge in
the perfecting ofmeasures Immediately affecting
themselves. While the liberty of deliberatiou
would then he free, and Congress would have full
power to decide according to its judgment, there
could be no objection urged that the States most
interested had not been permitted to be heard
The principle is firmly fixed in the minds Of
the American people, that there should be nc
taxation without representation Great burden.
have now to be borne by all the people of the
country, and may best demand that they
shall be borne without murmur when they arc
voted by majority of the representatives OF the
people. l would not interfere with the un9ues
tionable right of Congress to Judge, each House
for ITSELF "of the elections, returns and quafica
tons ofits own members" But that authority
cannot be construed as including the right tc
shut out, in time OF peace any State from the re-
presentation to which it is entitled by the Const
tuition. at present, all the people of clever
States excuded-those who were most faith
full during the war not less than tile others.
The President Of the United States stands 10
wards the country in somewhat different atti
tude from that Of any member of Congress- Eacl
member of Congress is chosen from a single dis
trict or State; the President is chosen hv the PEG
pie of all the States. As eleven States are not a
this time represented in either branch of Con
gresS, it would seem to be his duty on all prope
occasions to present their just claims to Congress
aly 10, Il e
community, and individuals may be guilty c
transgressions of the law; but these do not con
stitute valid objections against the right of IL Stat
to representation. | would in no wise interfer
with the discretion of Congress with regard tt
the qualifications of members but | hold it m,
duty to recommend to you, in the interests o
peace and in the interests of the Union. the adj
mission of every State to its share in public legis
lalion, when, however insubordinate insurgent
or rehellious its people may have been, it present
itself not only in an attitude of loyalty and har
mony, but in the persons of representatives, who's
loyalty cannot be questioned under any existip!
Constitutional or legal test.
1t is plain that an indefinite or permanent ex
clusion of any part of the country from represen
tation must be attended by spirit of disque
and complaint: 1t is unwse and dangerous l.
pursue course of measures which will unite
very large section OF the country against anothe
large section Of the country, however much tn
latter may preponderate. The course of emigra
ton, the Developments of industry and business
and natural causes, will raise up at the Soutl
men as devoted to the Union as those of any 9th
er part of the land. But if they are all excluded
from Congfess-if, in permanent statute, the,
are declared to be not in full constitutional rela
tons to the country, they may think they hav
cause to BECOME unit in feeling and sentimeu
against the Government Hinder the nol;1;.,,