Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-01-17
ANOTHER VETO MESSAGE.
sSrro sHarags fn fhe District OF
C0ftsmbiG.


hin entitled "An act TO regulate the
elective franchise in the District o!
Columbia" passed by the Senate on
the 18th of December, and by the
House of Representatives on the sue
oeeding day Is was presented for
nv approval on the 26th ultmo-six
davs after the adjournment Of Con
gress-and is now returned with my
objections to the Senate, in which body
il originated.
Measures having been introduced at
the commencement OF the first session
OF the present Congress, for the ex-
tension of the elective franchise TO
persons Of color in the District Of Co
iumbia. steps were taken by the cor
porate authorities Of Washington and
Georgetown to ascertain and make
known tho opinion Of the people OF
the two cities upon a subject so i'm
mediately affecting their welfare.
The question was submitted 10 the
people at special elections, held in the
month OF December. 1865, when the
qualified voters Of Washington and
Georgetown, with great unanimity OF
sentiment. expressed themselves OPP
posed TO the contemplated legislation.
In Washington, in vote Of 6,556-
the largest, with but two exceptions,
ever polled in that city-only thirty
five ballots were east for negro sutf-
rage; while in Georgetown, in an
aggregate Of Sl3 votes-a number
considerably in excess Of the average
vote al the four preceding annual
elections-but one was given in favor
of the proposed extension Of the elect
i've franchise. As these elections seem
70 have been conducted with entire
fairness. the result must be accepted
as q truthful expression Of the opinion
OF the people Of the District upon the
question which evoked IT, Possessing,
As an organized community, the same
popular right as the inhabitants Of q
State OF Territory, to make known
their viii upon matters which affect
their social and political condition,
they could have selected no more ap-
propriate mode Of memorializing Con-
rress upon the subject Of this bill than
through the suffrage Of their qualified
voters
Entirely disregariing the wishes OF
the people OF the District Of Columbia,
Congress has deemed it right and ex-
pedient 20 pass the measure nov sub
mitted for my signature Ii, there
fore, becomes the duty Of the Execu-
tive, standing between the legislation
Of the one and the will OF the other,
fairy expressed, 10 determine whether
be should approve the bill, and thus
aid in placing upon the statute-bO0ks
Of the nation a law against which the
people to whom 1t Is to apply have
solemnlv and with such unanimity
protested, or whether be should return
il with his objections, in the hope
that, upon reconsideration, Congress,
acting as the representatives OF the
inhabitants OF the seat Of government
viii permit them to regulate a purely
local question, as TO them may seem
best suited to their interests and COZ
ditiOn.
The District Of Columbia was ceded
to the United States BY Maryland and
Virginia, in order that it might be
come the permanent seat OF govern
ment Of the United States Accepted
by Congress, it at once became sub
ieci to the "exclusive Legislation" for
which provision is made in the Fed
ersl Constitution. Il should be borne
in mind, however, that in exercising
its funetioOs As the law-making power
Of the District Of Columbia, the au-
thority OF the National Legislature is
not without limit, but that Congress
is bound TO observe the letter and
spirit Of the Constitution as well in
the enactment Of local laws for the
seat Of government, as in legislation
common to the entire Union. Were
it to be admitted that the right "to
exercise exclusive legislation in all
cases whatsoever" conferred upon
Congress unlimited power within the
District OF Columbia, titles CT nobility
might be granted within its bounda-
ries; laws might be made respecting
an establishment OF religion, or pro
hibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abritging the freedom Of speech or Of
the press; or the right Of the people
pesceablv TO assemble and 10 petition
the Government for a redress Of griev-
ances.T Dcspotism would thus reign
at the seat OF government Of a free
Republic, and, as 3 place Of permanent
residence, il vrouli be avoided BY all
who prefer the blessings Of liberty to
the mere cmoluments Of official posi-
ton.
Il should also be remembered that
in legislating tor the District Of Co
lumbia, under the Federal Constitu-
tiOn, the relations Of Congress TO its
inhabitants Is analogous TO that Of
Legislature 70 the people Of a State,
under their own local Constitution.
il does not. therefore, seem to be ask
ing too much that, in matters pertain
ing to the District, Congress should
have a ike respect Tor the win and
interests Of its inhabitants as is enter
tained By State Legislature for the
wishes and prosperity OF those for
Eh0m they legislato. The spirit Of
our Constitution and the genius Of our
Governmest require that, 10 regard
20 any law which Is % affect and have
> permanent bearing upon people
their viii should exert al least rca-
sonable influence upon those who are
acting in the capacity Of their legis-
iators- Would, for instance, the Le-
s-fsfasa-s ~ sIa ICsaf. r.ts Naor Nn-ls or