The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-04-05
VETO OF THE cIylL RIGHTS BILL.

VETO OE THE cC1YlL h16d1o DILL.
President JOHNSON, on the 28th ult., returned to
the Senate that odious measure, 'Thc Civil Rights
Bill )" with the reasons for Withholding his sigma
ture. The following is o synopsis of the veto
message :.
By the first section of the bill, all persons born
in the United States, and not subject to any for
egn power, excluding Indians not tazed are de-
cared to be citizens of the United States.
This provision comprehcnds the Chinese of the
Pacific States, Indians subject to taxation, and the
people called Gypsies, as well as the entire race
designated as blacks, people of color, negroes,
mulattoes, and 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 purpor to declare or confer any other
right of citizenship than Federal citizenship and
does not purport to give these classes of persons
any status rs citizens of States except that which
may result from their status as citizens of the Uni
ted States.
The power to confer the right Of State citizcn-
ship is just as exclusively with the several States
as the power to confer the right of Federal citizen
ship is with Congress. The right of Federal citi-
zenship thus to be conferred on the several excep-
ted races before mentioned, is now, for the first
time, proposed to be given by law. Tho bill, In
effect, proposes discrimination against large
numbers of foreigners, and in favor of the negro,
to whom, after long years of bondage the ave-
nucs to freedom and intelligence have now been
suddenly opened. He must of necessity. from his
previous unfortunate condition of servitude, be
less informed us to the nature and character of our
institutions than he who, coming from abroad, has
to some extent, at least, familiarized himself with
the principles of government to which he voiunta-
rily entrustedlife, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness. Yet, it is now proposed by single legis-
lativc enactment to confer the rights of citizens
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
homes must undergo probation Of five years, and
can only then become citizens ppon proof that
they are of good moral character, attached to the
principles of the institutions of the United States,
and we'll disposed TO the good order and happiness
of the same.
In reviewing these sections of the bin, he says ::
If it be granted that Congress can repeal all State
laws discriminating between whites and blacks on
the subjects covered by this bill, Why it may be
asked, may not Congress repeal in the same way
al State laws discriminating between the two ra-
ces on the subjects Of suffrage and Office If Con-
gress can declare by Law who shall hold lands, who
shall testify, who shall have capacity to make
contract in State, then Congress can by law also
declare who, without regard to color or race, shall
have the right to act as juror or judge, or
to hold any other office. and, finally, to vote in
every State and Territory of the United States.
As respects the Territories, they come within
the power of Congress, for Us to them the law
making power is the Federal power; but as to the
States, no similar provision exists yesting in Con-
gress the power to make rules and regulations for
them. The President says, in conclusion, in all
our history-in all our experience MS people liy-
ing under Federal and State law-no such system
as that contemplated by the details OF this bill has
ever before been proposed or adopted. They es-
tablish for the security of the colored race safe
guards which go infinitely beyond any that the
General Government has over provided for the
white race. They interfere with the municipal
legislation Of the Statcs with the relations exist
ing exclusively between State and its citizens, or
between the inhabitants Of the same State, In the
absorption and assumption Of power by the Cen
eral Government, which, if acquiesced in must
sap and destroy our fcderative system Of limited
powers, and break down the BARRIERS which pre-
serve the rights of the States. 1t is another step,
or rather stride, towards Capitalization and the
concentration of all legislative powers in the Ma
tional Government. The tendency of the bill must
be to resusctate the spirit of rebellion, and to ar
rest the progress of those influences which are more
closely drawing around the States the bonds OF
union and peace. Ny lamcnted predecessor, in
his proclamation of the 1st January, 1861 order
ed and declared that oil persons held rs slaves
within certain States and parts of States therein
designated were and thence-forward should be
free; and further, that the Executive Government
of tho United States, including che military and
naval authorities thereof, would recognize and
maintain the freedom of such persons. This guar
antee has been rendered especially obligatory and
sacred by the amendment of the Constitution abol-
ishing slavery throughout the Omitted States. l
therefore fully recognize the obligation TO protect
and defend that class of cur people whenever and
wherever it shall become necessary, andto the full
extent compatible with the Constitution of the
United States.
Entertaining these sentiments, it only remains
for me to say that will checrfully cooperate in
any measure that may be necessary for the protec-
ton of the civil rights of tho freedmen. Gs we'll as
those of all other classes persons throughout the
United States, by judicial processundcr equal and
impartial laws, in conformity with the provisions
of the Federal Court.
now return. the bill to The Senate, and regret