Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-27

E1A4 az AOAAAAAAAANCo III 49, ~
gro suffrage, and the general report, when
ever made, IS likely to depend co1sidera-
bly, upon this earnest comparison Of views
Andrew johnson on VetOes.
In 1889 both Houses Of Congress passed
the Homestead bill by more hal a two
third vote. President Buchanan vetoed
the bill, and when it was returned, An
drew johnson, then a Senator, discussed
the conduct of the PRESIDENT in the follow
ing choice terms:
AN EXECUTIVE VETO a SMALL AFFAIR
Notwithstanding the veto nessage upon
this Homestead bill is a long one, and pre-
sents many arguments and statements as
reasons for the veto, l am free to say that
the message has not wrought the slightest
change in my mind. The fact Of these
reasons being sent here by the President
of tae United States, it is true, entities
them to consideration; but their solidity
and soundness are to be examined Just the
same as if they had been presented by
anybody else; and the mere fact Of q
President of the United States vetoing a
bill makes no change in my mind as to its
propriety and constitutionality, unless he
presents reasons and arguments which, if
presented by others, would have the same
effect.
A PERSONAL sLAP AT oLD BUCK.
The argument upon the unconstitution-
atty by the President is simply absurd,
not to say ridiculous, after the long estab-
Iished usage otthe Government, receiving
the sanction of nearly overy President Of
the United States.
General jackson earnestly
looked forward to the day when the pub
lie lands would cease to be a source Of
public revenue, and pass into the hands Of
the honest cultivator. It was his anxious
desire for the time to come when every
head Of a family in the United States
would be domicilated, and have an abid-
ing place for his wife and children.
Whether considerations so rational, so
humane, so Christian, have ever get pen
etrsted the brain of one whose bosom has
never yet swelled with emotions for wife
or children, is for a enlightened public
TO determine.
HOW SENATORS sHoUED TREAT 4 VETO.
I always have respect for a man who
fills the place of the President of United
States, irrespective of party, and it would
be very natural for me to have more re-
spect fer a President Of my own party
than one of opposite politics. But does
the fact of the Presidents speaking
change the nature and character Of great
| principles and truths? Does it make
wrong right, or right wrong? If there is
q fundamental principle in this measure
connected with the Government and the
great cause of humanity, the fact that he
withholds his approval does not change
my opinion; but if there were forty Presi-
dents, with forty assistants to write out
vetoes, I would stand by this bill, and
give it the sanction of my vote and sup
port.
DETERMINATIONS BETWEEN FOREIGN AND
NArIVE CITIZENS.
1 am constrained to say that I look upon
this objection to the bill as a mere bubble
on the Part Of the President, and at being
hard pressed for some excuse in withhold
ing his approval of the measure; and his
| ~allusion TO foreigners in this connection
looks to me more like the nd ~c1ptGHdum
of the mere politician and the demagogue,
than a grave and sound reason to be of
fered by the President Of the United
States in a veto message upon so impor-
tant a measure as the homestead bill.
H JEWEL CONSISTENCY.
1 have often heard that this world is all
a feeting show; that in it constantly men
are changing. These are changing and
revolutionary times.
Oh, consistency, thou art g jewell"
much to be admired but rarely to be
found. Perhaps the President of the
| United States is too far advanced in life
now to undertake the difficult task of ex-
planning and defending his inconsistent
cies, but the fact that he is inconsistent,
and changes his opinion On a great meas
Ure and a great principle, is no reason
why q Senator or Representative, who has
acted Understandings upon his own de-
liberate judgment on a measure that has
been discussed for fifteen years in Con-
gress and before the people, should change
his opinion.
WHEN 4 VETO IS D~ICTATION.
The President of the United States pre-
sumes-yes, sir, 1 say presumes-to die
tate to the American people and to the
two Houses of Congress, in violation of
the spirit, if not the letter of the Consti-
tuition, that this measure should not be-
come a law. Why do l say this? l ask
is there any difference in the spirit of the
Constitution whether q measure is sane
toned by a two-thirds vote before its pas
sage or afterward 2 When a measure has |
been vetoed by the President, the Con-
stitution requires that it shall be recon-
sidered and passed by a two-thirds vote,
in order to become a law.
WIFE A voTE IS IMPROPER.
But here, in the teeth of the Executive,
there was q two thirds vote in favor of the
bill. The two Houses lave said this bill
is constitutional and right. In the other
House, rejecting the popular sentiment of
the nation, the vote was one hundred and
twelve to ffty-one, ten more than a two
thirds majority, which the Constitution
requires; and when there is a two-thirds
vote for a measure, L say it is against the
spirit of the Constitution for the Execu-
tive to say, mo; you shall not have this
measure; 1 will take all the chances of
vetoing it"
WHEN 4 VETO Is PROPER.
When bare majorities have passed bills,
it is a s~alutary check TO arrest what NAV
be called hasty and Incorporate legisla-
1 have advocated its exercise,
seldom and cautiously, with that
view; but, sir, when, according to the
spirit, if not according to the exact letter
Of the Constitution, a measure has been
passed by two-thirds vote of both Houses,
after a discussion of fifteen years, showing
hat it is not hasty or %improvident legis-
Iation-I say respect to both Houses of
Congress, should have been a great in
lueement to the Executive to approve
Iuch a bill.
Lincoln and johnson.
johnson boasts that no living man has
lone so much to free the slaves as he.
never boasted but prayerfully /:
upon his great proclamation the l
judgment of mankind, and l
he gracious favor of Almighty God.
Johnson, whenever he meets a negro, t
promises to be his Moses. Lincoln made
10 promises, but when the triumph of our
in the fall of Richmond had given