The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-04-10
Andrew johnson ON vetoes.

Many copperhead leaders and Journals
seem to be trying to produce the impression
that Congress las no tight to pass "a bill over
the Presidents Veto. They denounce the
representatives Of the States and of the peo-
ple in the Senate and the House with most
unmitigated bitterness and even urge the
President to march band of soldiers into
the Capitol and arrest or disperse the mem
bers in Congress. We publish therefore, for
the information Of our readers. extract from
/ speech delivered BY Andrew Johnson spme
years ago when he was member Of Con-
gress:
In 1889, both Houses of Congress passed
she homestead bill BY more than q two-third
vote President Buchanan vetoed the bill,
and when it was returned Andrew johnson,
then Senator. discussed the conduct Of the
President in the following terms:
An EXECUTIVE VETO 4 SMALL AFFAIR.
Notwithstanding the veto message upon
this homestead bill is a long one, and presents
many arguments and statements reasons
/ for the veto. 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 the United States,
it is true, entities them to consideration; but
their soidity and soundness are to be exam
ined Just the same as if they had been pre-.
sented by ANYBODY else and the mere fact OF
a President Of the United States vetoing q
bill makes nc change in my mind as to its pro-
priety and constitutionalAy, unless he pre-
sents reasons snd arguments which, if pre-
sented by others. would have the same effect.
A PERSONAL SLAP AT OLD BUCK.
The ~, t,,r,nv tho i'm nDafitv
By the President Is simply absurd. not to say
ridiculous, after the long established usage Of
the Government. receiving the sanction of
nearly every President of the United States.
Gen. jackson earnestly looked forward
to the day when the public lands would cease
to be source OF public revenue, and pass in
to the hands of the honest cultivator. 1t was
his anxious desire for the time to come when
every head of family in the United States
would be domiciliated, and have abiding
place for his wife and for his children
Whether considerations SO rational, so hui
name, SO Christian, have ever penetrated the
brain of one whose bosom has never vet
swelled with emotions for wife or children, is
for an enlightened public to determine.
HOW SENATOR'S SHOULD TREAT VETO.
always have respect for a man who fills
the place of the President of the United
States, irrespective cf party, and it would be
very natural for me to have more respect for
President of my own party than for 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 II
there is great fundamental principle in this
measure, connected with the Government
land the great cause of humanity, the fact
that he withholds his,approyal does not change
j my opinion; but if there were forty Pres-
dents, with forty assistants to write ou
vetoes, would stand by this bill, and give il
the sanction of my vote and support.
DETERMINATIONS BETWEEN FOREIGN AND MA
TIVE CITIZENS.
am constrained to say that look upor
this objection to the bill asa mere bubble OF
the par, of the President, and as being hare
pressed for some excuse in withholding his
approval of the measure and his allusions
to foreigners in this connection looks to mi
more like the dd eaptandum Of the mere pol
itician and the demagogue. than grave and
sound reason to be offered by the President o
the United States in veto message upon sc
important measure as the homestead bill.
THE JEWEL CONSISTENCY.
have heard that this world is all feetint
show; that it is constantly changing; mer
e are changing These are changing and revo
4
encyl thou art a JEWELL much to be admir-
ed but rarely to be found. Perhaps the Pres
ident of the United States is too far adranc
ed in life now to undertake the difficult tasl
:. Of explaining and defending his inconsisten
/ cies. but the fact that he is inconsistent, ant
e changes his opinion with reference to grea
:, measure and grent principle, is no reason
Why Sknator or Representative, who ha
e acted understandingly upon his own dellber
If ate Judgment on measure that has benn dis
: cussed for fifteen years in Congress and be
fore the people, should change his opinion.
!, WHEN VETO Is DIc-ATION.
,fl The President Of the United States pre-
: sumes,-y sir. say rresumes,-to dietat
70 to the American people and to the two House
OF OF Congress, in violation Of the spirit, If no
- the letter, Of the Constitution, that this u.eas
ure should not become Law. Why do ca
y this? Is there any difference In the spiri;
y Of the Constitution whether 4 measure
= sanctioned by b two-third vote before I'd pa.,
!. age or afterward !? When . measure has bee
- vetoed by the President, the Constitntior e
af ouires that it shall be recopsidersd and pa1se
o. by l twothirds vote, il order . become
% law.
! WHEN vxTo 10 IAlRpHTK.
:, But here in the teen Of the Executv,
% there was two-thisds vote In tAis bill. n
iel two Ho1sss have saia TIT thn bill y coastitz