The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-04-05
Veto of the Civil Rights Bill.

regret that the bill which has passed
both Houses of Congress, entitled IAN
act to protect all persons in the United
States in their civil rights, aud furnish
the means for their yindication," con-
tains provisions which I cannot approve
consistently with my sense of duty to the
whole people and my obligations to the
Constitution Of the United States. |
am therefore constrained TO return 1t to
the Senate, the House in which it orig
mated, with my objections TO its becom-
ing a law.
BY the Grst section of the bill, all
persons born in the United States, and
not subject TO any foreign power, ex-
cluding Indians not taxed, are declared
to be citizens of the United States
This provision comprehends the Chinese
of the Pacific States, Indians subject to
taxation, the peeps called gypsies, as
well as the entire race designated as
blacks, people Of color, negroes, mulat-
toes, aud persons Of African blood
Every individual Of these races, born in
the United States, is by the bill made
citizen Of the United States. 1t does
not purport TO declare or confer any
other right Of citizenship than Federal
citizenship 1t does not purport 70 give
these classes Of persons any status as
citizens Of States, except that which
may result from their status ms citizens
of the United States The power TO
confer the right of State citizenship is
just as exclusively with the several
States as the power 10 confer the right
Of Federal citizenship is with Congress
The right Of Federal citizenship thus
70 be conferred on the several excepted
races before mentioned, Is now, for the
first time, proposed to be given by law
II, as is claimed by many, all persons
who are natiyc-born, already are, by
virtue Of the Constitution, citizens Of
the United States, the passage Of the
pending bill cannot be necessary to make
them such H. on the other hand, such
pcrsous are not citizens, as may be as
sumed from the proposed legislation to
make them such, the grave question
presents itsclf. whether, when eleven Of
the thirty six States arc unropTcscntcd
IN Congress, al this time il is sound
policy To make our entire oolorcd popu.
lstion aud all other excepted classes cit
iacns of the United Statos -Four mil.
lions Of them have just emerged from
slavery into freedom Can il be rcahon
ably supposed that they possess the
requisite qualifications 10 cniitis them
to a!l the privileges aud immunit,es Of
Of the United States , Have
the people Of the several States expires
scd such a conviction II may also b.
aAkud whether IL is necessary that they
should be declared citizens, IN order
that thcy may be secured "a the cuJoy
mcut oc clg.! righ,s Those rights
proposed to Dc conferred by the bin arc
LY Federal veil as State laws. secured
~ Cd. domirlIcl aliens and iorclguer-
even before ;he completion OF tho pro-
cess OF naturalization, aud il may safely
b. assumed that the same cnaoimcuts
arc sufficient ip giye ike protection and
benefits 70 those for whom this blli pro.
,idcs special legislation. B"sides, tho
policy Of the Government. from its org n
10 the present time seems to have been
hat pcrsons who are strangers 10, and
unfamiliar with, Cur Institutions aud gur
laws should pass through a certain pro.
Bation. al the end OF which, before at
.aiuing tho coveted prze, they must
give evidence of their fitness to receive
and to exercise the rights Of citizens, ~
contemplated by the Constitution oi the
| 'uitcd States The bill, ia effect, pro
poses a discrimination against large NUN
5cr ofiulciligcnt, worthy and patriotic
foreigners, aud ia favor OF the negro 10
whom, after long years OF boudaee, the
avenues to freedom aud intelligence
have now been suddenly opened. lie
must. of necessity, tfom kls previous
unfortunate condition Of ser,itudc, be
Lsss informed a. 10 the nature aud char
acter Of our institutions than he who,
coming from abroad, has, to some ex-
lent. at least, iamiliarizcd himself with
the principles Of government to which
he voluntarily yentrusts "liie, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness Yet 1t ts
now proposed, by a single legislative
enactment, to confer the rights Of cltl.
lcus upon all persons Of African descent
born within the extended limits Of the
United States, while persons Of foreign
birth. who make our land their home,
must undergo a probation OF five years,
and can only then become citizens upon
proof that they are of good moral char
lcter, attached to the principles Of the
Of the United States, and
ycll disposed to the good order aud hap
piness Of the saEle.
The first section Of the bill also con
tains an enumeration Of the rights to be
enjoyed by these classes, so made clti'
zens, sin every State and Territory IN
the United States" These rights are
10 make aud enforce contracts, to sue,
be parties, aud give evidence, TO inherit,
purchase, lease, sell, hold, aud convey
real aud personal property" and to have
''full and equal benefit Of all laws and
proceedings fer the security of person
and property as it enjoyed by white cit
izons" So, too, they are made subject
to the same punishment Paios, and pen
allies in common with white citizens,
and to none others Thus perfect
equality of the white aud black races is
to be fixed by Federal law in
every State in the Union, over the vast
6eld of State Jurisdiction covered by
these enumerated rights. In no one Of
:, = ans, Ct,Ie auor axercige any