Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-01-11

and S. if not paid until the expiration of six
months, but within the year.
President johnson returned to the Senate
on the 9TH inst, the District Negro suf-
frage Bill with his objections He discusses
the bill at length and in calm and dignifed
way He starts out with history Of the
suffrage project in the District, and shows
that by the vote taken at a special election
in the District in 1865, when out of I 1863
votes polled. only 36 were cast in favor of
negro suffrage, that the Congress in passing
this bill has acted in direct opposition to the
will of the people, as expressed at the polls
He gives a history of the cession of the Dis
triet to the United States and deduccs, from
the character of legislation and the Consti-
tutional provisions applicable, the conclusion
that Congress, like the State Legislatures,
should, in matters pertaining to the District,
yield to the wishes Of the people, when not
inconsistent with the Constitution and laws.
He regards this bill as an ex pertinent to be
tried in community where the eolored peo-
pie number one-third Of the inhabitants, and
likely to predominant over the white popula-
ion, which was voted for by representatives
Of States, whose colored population is but q
mere fraction of the whole, and which are un-
willing to try the experiment, although it
could be productive Of but little or no harm,
and yet would thrust this experiment on an
unwilling people, whose loyalty has been
proven and where better protection to the
eolored people can not be the reason. He
deprecates the extension of the elective fran
chlse to. any new class who do not compre-
bend the duties and responsibilities which
pertain to suffrage.
He shows that the Executive and Judicial
Departments Of Government can not encroach
upon the Legislative, but that the Legisla-
tive is the only encroaching Department
that the Presidential vetois but a negative,
though necessary check on this Department,
and quotes from the writings of Madison,
Jefferson, Kent and Story to sustain his the
cries and propositions.
O. lie concludes with the assertion of his in
ability. after mature deliberation, to bring
himselfto approve the measure, either on the
ground of local considerations or as the be-
ginning of an experiment on larger scale.
The Senate passed the Suffrage bill over the
veto on the Sth inst, by vote of 30 to 10.
The radical party found the first obstacle
in the way Of the accomplishment of their
schemes to be the Constitution of their coun
try. Party ascendency being more impor-
tant to them than patriotism, they at once
set to work to remove this obstacle by a Sc
ries of amendments and unconstitutional acts.
Here they find another obstacle in President
johnson, who cares more for his obligation
to support and defend the Constitution than
the mere behests of party, and who fearless
ly steps forth as the champion of that instru-
nicnt and vetoes their unconstitutional acts
4 two-third vote sufices to unhorse this OPP
ponent and for time they are exultant.-
Their enthusiasm has scarcely time to cool
GRE, the Supreme Court of the United States,
declares some of their acts unlawful and in
tcrposes an unexpected check to the consum-
nation Of their pet schemes Questions, in
volylng many of their acts and of the utmost
import to the people of the whole country,
and affecting in great measure the stability
of our government, are about to be or will
be brought before the Supreme Court for its
decision as to their constitutionality. The
radicals fear its decision, and, as they have
shown no respect for the Constitution, or the
Chief Magistrate, when opposed to their law
less acts, we can expect nought else but they
will either attempt to supercede the Supreme
Court, Or modify its powers, SO that it will
no longer be check to their demonstrations
FL schemes. When this is the case, with
no power IN the country but the will of
dominant faction, the old ship of State,
manned by a maniac crew, without chart,
compass or rudder viii steer directly for but
one port-everlastin destruction.
Mr.. Huntington, of Prince William, in
troduced resolution in the Lower House,
on Tuesday last, which was adopted, requir-
ing an immediate report from the Committee
on Resolutions, on the Constitutional Amend
ment There were sixteen votes cast in the
negative, which merely shows that sixteen
members are opposed to haste in the matter.