Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-03-02

!. not belong to US, if 4 Senator presents I
himself here. to ascertain whether these con-
ditions have been complied With, OF docs IL .
belong to INN?
That brings mo to the consideration OF the
veto message. will say. sir, with REGARD
t. that message, that have no very great
attachment 70 the bill which was thus Veto
ed. In some particulars it did not meet nv
approval. yielded nv objections 10 It he,
cause thought the power did exist, ana
that il was especially necessary to exercise
It, and the bill therefore received my Vote.
Had the President confined himself TO %
iections to the bill Itself-it l. very possible
/ might have waived my own feelings and
sustained the veto. But on looking at TIE
veto message and the reasons gwen Tor H.
and after thorough consideration OF the pro
visions Of the bill, no gave this reason when
rendered it impossible for me rs member
Of the Senate. with due respect for myself
and the views of Congress. 10 vote otherwise
than to sustain the bill, because vote IN
the negative was an endorsement OF the
opinions expressed in the veto. Now, sIr'
what DO understand by the closing parts
+ Of this veto message? That in the Judgment
of the President Congress has, as at present
Organized no right 70 pass any bill affecting
the interes, of those so-callci Confederate
States while thcy are not represented here.
l. foli.ws that no law laying any
restraint on those States which fought Tor
four wears against the Government can be
passed-that we can pass no law affecting
them o- restraining them, or providing Tor
any change IN the Constituu) OF anything
else. until we admit their Senators and Re
ures-ntatives u the hJJr OF Congress that
We have no right to legislatc with regard to
them. but must take them just as they are
mon their saw 50, and then, when they are
here. we nay proceed to legislation. can
not give my assent 70 any such proposition
Congress was prepared to say to the TX
ecutiye and the country, respectfully but
firmly. that thcv were resolved 70 decide
not only uU0n the merits OF the men sent
here az representatives, but OF the States
sending them lie thought the people were
represcnted here that the interests OF the
reople were vested in them that 1t was Tor
them to decide on the deStinies OF the coun-
trv. and it they were TO be confined to sim
tly inspecting credentials they would BE-
snorn Of their power: there would no longer
be that check upon the Executive which the
Constitution designed. He believed that
the President was a friend To his country
that he was true patriot, bat he believed
that his feelings on the subject Of admitting
the State Of Tennessee had carried him be-
youd wha, in his calmCr moments he would
have done lie believed be would not wound
the Constitution one iJ,a but when be as
scrts principles which are destructive Of the
dignity and power Of this body ! can not
. dc-i-t from all the opposition Of which
am capable. he OR. F. thought 1t bet
ter % Put these States ia condition 10 be
, rccln-truc,ei before We talked about It -
The time had now come. The President
had commenced beforehand By virtue oi
his power as Commander iu-cAiet be had
appointed Provisional Governors, and he
should have then waited until Congress met
% consult with them a % what was best %
. ID. He sid rot ia chat these States were
dead. bat they were not as o-uer States
, They had never been officially informed that
D. any of these States had formed @ Constitu
ton. lie thought fr the good Of The
country that these Senators and Representa-
b tiye- should Doe admitted as soon as II could
: be done with any show Of safety % ourselvo
aud tLC Government