The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-12-19
put over the Southern States is negro su

ut is manifestly aud avowedly the
object OF these laws TO confer upon negroes
The privilege OF voting, and to disfrauchise
such number Of white citizens as will
give the former clear majority at all
elections in the Southern States. This,
to the minds Of some persons, is so i'm,
portant, that violation Of the constitu
tioa is justified as means Of bringing il
about. The morality is always false
which excuses a wrong because it propos,
es 70 accomplish desirable end. We
are not permitted to do evil that good
may come. But in this case the end il
self is evil, as well as the means. The
suhjugatiun Of the States 10 uegro domi.
nation would be worse than the military
despotism under which they are now suf.
fering. II was believed before hand that
the people would endure any amount Of
military oppression, for any length Of
tine, rather than degrade themselves by
subjectiou to the negro race. Therefore
they have been left without a choice
Negro suffrage was established by act Of
Congress, and the military officers we're
commanded 10 superintend the process Of
clothing the negro race with the political
privileges torn from white men.
"The blacks in the South are entitled to
be well and humauely governed, and to
have the protection Of just laws for all
their rights OF person and property. Ifit
were practicable at this time to give them
a government exclusively their own, un-
der which they might manage their own
affairs in their own way, it would become
grave question whether we ought to do
so, or whether common humanity would
not require us to save them from them
selves. But, under the circumstances,
this is only speculative point. Its not
proposed merely that they shall govern
themselves, but that they shall rule the
white race, make and administer State
laws, elect Presidents and members Of
Congress, and shape toa greater or less
extent the future destiny Of the whole
country.
ave must not delude ourselves. It
will require strong standing army, and
probably more than Two hundred millions
OF dollars per annum, to maintain the
supremacy OF negro governments after
they are established. The sum thus
thrown away would, il properly used
form sinking fuud large enough to pay
the whole national debt in less than fif-
teen years. !, is vain to hope that me-
eroes will maintain their asceodsncy them
selves Without military power they are
wholly incapable Of holding in subjectiou
the white people Of the South. .....
5. fbe President recommends the re-
peal OF the Reconstruction acts.
"Being sincerely convinced that these
views are correct, would be unfaithful to
my duty If | did not recommend the re-
peal OF the acts Of Congress which place
ter Of the Southern States under the domi
nation Of military masters. II calm re
Election shall satisfy a majority Of your
honorable bodies that the acls referred to
are now only violation Of the nationa
faith, but in direc. conflict with the con
s,itu'ion, l dare not permit myself to
eoub. that you will Immediately strike
them from the statute book. $685.. .....
8. The last important part Of the mes
sage. to which we will call the attention
OF our readers, is where the Preside de Mt dis,
tincsly intimates his determination, TO re-
sist his being removed from office by the
impeachers.
"How far the duty OF the President,
to preserve, protect and defend the con.
stitution. requires him to 60 10 opposing @
an unconstitutional act o! Congress, is a
very serious and important question, on
which | have dslibersted much, and felt
extremely anxious to reach proper con
clasion. Where =. ct has been pass ed
according to the forms Of the constitution
by the supreme legislative authority, and
is regularly enrolled among the public
statutes Of the country, Executive resis
lance to it, especially in times Of high
party excitement, would be likely to pro,
duce violent collision between the respec.
tive adherents OF the two branches Of the
government II Congress should pass an
act which is not only 10 palpable conflic,
with the constitution, but will certainly, IL
carried out, produce immediate and ire
parable injury to the organic structure Of
the government, and IL there be neither