Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-07

!. mate its value, and who are indifieren
1 as TO its resnlls, il will only serve as
J, means Of placing power in the hands o
(; the unprincipled and ambitious, an,
i must eyentuatc in the complete desirnc
F; ton OF that liberty which should be thu
= most powerful conservation. Great dan
:, ger is therefore 10 be unprecedented from
{ an untimely extension Of the elective
: franchise 10 any new class in oul
J, country, especially when the large
. majority Of that class, In welding
! the power thus placed in their hands
, cannot BIO expected correctly TO compre-
bend the duties aud responsibilities which
! pertain 10 suffrage. Yesterday, Ms il
were. four millions Of persons were held
in a condition of slavery that had existed
for generations, to-day they are freed
men, and are assumed by law to be citi-
zens. II cannot be presumed from their
previous condition of servitude, that as n
class they are as well informed as to the
nature Of our Government as the inteli-
gent foreigner who makes our land the
home OF his choice In the case of the
latter. neither residence of five years
and the knowledge of our institutions
which il gives, nor attachment TO the
principles Of the Constitution, are the
only conditions upon which he can be
admitted to citizenship He must prove,
in addition, good moral character, and
thus give reasonable ground for the belief
that he will be faithful to the obligations
which he assumes as citizen of the
republic.
4 Where people-"the source of all
political power speak by their suf-
| fragos through the instrumentality of the
ballot box, it must be carefully guarded
against the control of those who are cor
rupt in principle and enemies of free
institutions; for it can only become to
our political and social system safe con-
ductor ofhealthy popular Sc timent when
kept free from demoralizing influences
Controlled through frand and usurpation
by the designing anarchy and despotism
must inevitably follow In the hands of
the patriotic and worthy, our Govern
ment will be preserved upon the prince
Piles Of the Constitution inherited from
our fathers. 1t follows, therefore, that in
admitting to the ballot box new class of
voters not qualified for the elective
franchise; we weaken our system of gov
eminent instead of adding to its strength
and durability. In returning this bill to
the Senate, deeply regret that there
should be any conflict of opinion between
the Legislative and Executive Depart
ments of the Government in regard to
measures that vitality affect the prosper
ity and peace Of the country, sincerely
desiring to reconcile the States with one
another and the whole people to the
Government of the United States. 1t
has been my earnest wish to cooperate
with Congress in all measures having for
their object proper and complete adj
justmcnt of the questions resulting |
from our late civil war. Harmony
between the coordinate branches
of the Government, always neces-
sary for the public welfare, was
never more demanded then at the
present time, and it will, therefore,
be my constant aim to promote, as far
as possible, concert of action between
them. The differences Of opinion that
have already occurred have rendered me
only the more cautious, lest the Execu-
tive should encroach upon any of the
prerogatives of Congress, or by exceed
ing in any manner the Constitutional
limit OF his duties, destroy the equliio-
rum which should exist between the
several coordinate departments, and
which IS so essentiai 70 the harmonious
working OF the uovernment. L
know 1t has been urged that
the Executive department is more
likely to enlarge the sphere OF Its
action than either oil the other
branches OF the Government,
and especially IN the exercise OF the
veto power conferred upon 1t by the
Constitution IL should De remembered,
however, that the power is wholly mega
tive and conservative IN its character,
aud was intended TO operate as check
provident legislation, and as means OF
protection against inyasions OF the Just
powers OF the Executive and Judicial de-
partments. 1t is remarked by Chancel-
Tor Kent that to enact law is transcen-
dant power, and IT the body that pos
sesses it be full and equal representa-
ton Of the people there is danger of
its pressing with destructive weight
on all the other parts Of the machinery
Of government 1t has, therefore, been
thought necessary by the most skillful
and most experienced artists in the
science of civil policy that strong bar.
riers should be erected for the protection
and security of the other necessary
powers of the Government, nothing has
been deemed more fit aud expedient for
The purpose than the provision that the
head Of the Executive Department
! II L.. tnI 90 |