Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-06-27
Another Presidential Message.

President Johnson has a mania for writing
messages. He seems as anxious TO rush ino
print in that manner, as was ever f1edeling Of
poet to see his maiden effort in the papers
And Andrew Johnson especially delights in We
10 messages-they admirably adapted, in
his estinatIon,to show TO gaping world that he
possesses the stern determination and unbendng
Will of d" Old Hickory" 1t is ut sufficient for
the people to know that his initials are A. J :,
and his given name Andrew, bnt he is deter
mined to make up for the sad mshap Of his
surname being Johnson, instead Of Jackson, by
the most cousumate mulishness, and by writ
ing more veto messages than dream
ed ofby the hero Of New Orleans. II he finds il
impossible to openly thrust upon the county a
veto, from the fact that Congress and the peo-
pie can reach their object just a we'll without
as with his signature, he shys one in under the
disguise of protest, explanation of
his conduct-about which the nation cares as
little as they do about the antics of the 80 man
in the moon" Hi latest effort 10 this line was
perpetrated last Friday, and is in the words
following, viz:
submit to Congress a report Of the Sec
rotary OF State. to whom referred the con-
current resolution of the 18th inst., respecting
a submission TO the Legislatures of the State.
of an additional article to the Constitution Of
the United States Il will be seen from this
report that the Secretary of State had, on
the 18th inst. transmitted to the Governors
of the several States certified copies of the
Joint resolution passed on the 18th inst pro-
posing amendment 10 the Constitution
Even in ordinary times question Of amending
the Constitution must be justly regard of
paramount Importance. This importance is
at the present time, enhanced by the fact that
the joint resolution not submitted by the
two Houses for the approval Of the President
and that of the thirty six States which consti-
tuted the Union eleven excluded from rep
resentation in Ell her House of Congress, al
though, with the exception Of Texas, they have
been restored in all their functions States in
conformity with the organic law OF the land,
and have appeared at the National Capital bv
Senators and Representatives who have applied
for and been refused admission to tie vacant
seats. Nor have the sovereign people OF the |
nation been afforded opportunity OF express |
ing their views upon The important questions |
which the amendment involves. Grave doubts, |
therefore, may very naturally and justly arise |
as to whether the action Of Congress is in har |
moDy with the sentiment of the people, and |
whether State Legislatures, elected with |
out reference - suca an issue, should be called |
upon by Congress to decide respecting the rat
i6ca;ion of the proposed amendment.
Waving the question to the constitutional |
validity of the proceedings of Congress. upon
the joint resolution proposing he amendment.
or as to the merits OF the article which it sub
mits through the Executive Department TO the
Legislatures of the States, deem it proper to
observe that the steps taken by the Secretary
of Stste detailed in the accompanying re-
port, are 10 be considered purely minister |
al and IN no sense whatever committing the |
Executive to approval recommendation
of the amend ment TO the State Legislatures or
to the people. Ga the contrary, proper ap-
probation of the letter and spirit Of the Con-
stitution, as we'll OF the interest of national
order, harmony and union, and OF q Difference
TO an enlightened public Judgment, may at
this time well suggest q doubt whether any
amendment to the Constitution ought TO be
proposed by Congress and passed upon by the
Legislatures of the several States for final de-
cison until after the admission Of such loyal
Senators and Representatives of the now un-
represented States have been or may be
hereafter chosen IN conformity with the Con-
stitution and laws Of the United States.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, ID. c., June %.
Secretary Stewards letter With accompanies
the above, We do not print, for the simple res-
son that the Information it contains is not worth
the space /. would occupy. 1t il merely
recitat.ve of the Secretary's action in receiving
the enrolled resolution, and transmitting certi-
fled copies of it to the Governors of the res
pective States. Inasmuch as it had been de-
termintd by eminent authority that the proper
officials Of the Senate and House could certify
to and transmit to the several States copies of
the resolution for an amendment to the Con-
stitution, it was, as Toots would say, "of no
Consequence whether President Johnson and
Secretary Seward acted in " ministerial" or
in an executive capacity in forwarding the res
olution and If they had n't seen proper TO
act at all in the matter the nation would doubt
les. have still survived, the functions of legisla-
ton would not have been suspended, and the
onward march OF Liberty and equality before
the law would not have been seriously retard-
ed.
1t is true to-day it ever has been
IN this worlds history, that there is
power behind the throne greater than
the throne itself; aud in Republican govern
ment the people make aud unmake Presidents
and rulers, if not quite at pleasure, just so often
the Constitution and laws of the land allow
them 10 DO so. No one can usurp and bold
place and power in this Republic for any length
of time, for the simple reason that ell power
rests in the people, and is obtained from them
by their own act and will. The right to gov
ern is derived from the consent of the govern
cd ; and he who would no: be hurled from his
place il the executive or Legislative departments
of government must put and keep himself in
accord with the people, and the immutabls
principles of justice and right which underlie
the structure Of all popular governments. In
opposing mis- ipse dirt to the plain demands of
common sense, and the dictates Of enlght-
ened humanity as Swallowed forth in every con-
ceiva5le and practicable manner by the people
Who, two years since, supported Andrew John
son,,he President is simply laboring under de-
lusion. or else willfully enactiDg most egregri-
Gus piece of folly. That the President has nsi-
Their the confidence or sympathy Of the loyal peo-
pie Norh-ths people who so freely poured