The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-03-14
Post m ster General ON the Veto.

fOot"doACT UGACE8x On the tetOs
The following is a full report of the speech
of P. NJ. General Dsnnison, at Cooper Insti.
tute, N. Y:
In responding to your friendly call let me
express my qualification in seeing so large an
assembIage Of the good people Of this city to
respond to the patriotic efforts Of the President
'to restore the constitutional relations be.
tween the Federal government and all the
states in the union, As displayed in his proc.
lamation to the people, and in his message to
congress 1t is right, sir, that this great city
should lose no time in pronouncing its opinion
upon the political situation OF the country, and
by its counsels contribute, as they must large.
y contribute, to the relieving of that situation
from the embarrassments that now surround
it. have not believed, and do not now be-
ieve. that there is any necessity for perma.
nent disagreement between the President aud
the union members of congress on any really
practical legislation relating to the states late
ly in rebellion, and regard this meeting, com
posed of citizcns Of New York who sustain.
ed the national authority in the war against the
rebellion" n most encouraging augury, that
the dangers which seem to threaten the union
organization will soon pass away. and that
grea, party, which in tie field, at sea, or at
the ballot box, has saved the nation, will pre-.
serve its vigorous unity, and, under Provi.
dence, fully accomplish the great work OF its
patriotic mission. viii it be said that in this
hope we are doomed to disappointment because
Of the recent act Of the President in return.
ing to congress the Freedmen's bureau bill,
with his objections to its becoming u law!
answer NO! w hat does the President say
in his veto message7 Not that he was opposed
to the extending OF protection to the treedmsn
,,,ls hAo H. e. Ii A.
under existing law. Not that he is opposed to
the principle Of bill for the freed men and
refugees. because he is executing the existing
law vigorously. and in good faith. What does
he say in his nessage7 Let me read few Of
the opening paragraphs:
IL have examined with care the bill which
originated in the senate, and has been passed
BY the two houses Of congress, to amend an
act entitled 'An act to establish bureau for
the relief Of freedmen aud refugees and for
other purposes.' Having, with much regret
come to the conclusion that it would not be
consistent with the public welfare to give my
approval to the measure, return the bill to
the senate with my objections to its becoming
a Law. l might call to mind, in advance of
these objections, that there is no immediate ne
eessity Tor the proposed measure. The act to
establish a bureau for the relief Of freedmen
and refugees. which was approved March last,
has not yet expired. 1t was thought stringent
and extensive enough for the purpose in view.
Before it ce'ses to have effect, further expert.
ence may assist to guide us to wise conclu
sion as to the policy to be adopted in time Of
peace. have, with congress, the strongest
desire to secure to the freedmen the full enjoy.
ment Of their freedom and their property, and
their entire independence and equality in max
ing contracts for their labor"
Why, then, the veto? Let the message itself
answer the question. "Thc bill before me. -
says the President, "contains provisions which,
in my opinisn, are not warranted by the Con.
stisution, and are not we'll suited 70 accom-.
plish the end in view" With these convic.
tions, what else could the President have done
but to return the bill as he did7 Let me COM
mend you, my fellow citizens, to a careful and
dispassionate consideration Of the message
itself Can it be that the President. who has
never failed to signalize his devotion to the
best interests Of the country az he has under.
stood those interests to be; who, from early
manhood. fought the cause Of the rebellion in
his unyielding opposition to the slave aristcs.
racy Of the South; who fought treason. face to
face, in the Senate OF the United States, and in
Tennessee, with her0is:n not excelled, if
equaled by any other public character; who
adopted and has executed and is now exccut
ing in good faith j the essential features Of his
martyrsd predecessors programme for the re-.
construction Of the insurgcnt States, q pro-
grammo sanctioned by every member Of his
Cabinet, Can il be, ask, that with such
record and such character, the President
would now perform SO grave an act as the
vetoins .. bill approved By nearly all the Re-
publican members Of Congress. looking to the
immediate welfare of four millions Of loyal
people. unless impelled to do SO by the weigh.
tiest Of reasons, and the profound convictions
Of duty. The answer l leave to the intclli.
gence aud patriotism Of the country. Zap
piause .aW s-7