Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-03-07
y y !: !. sTS%a, MooRs. Secretaries.
VETO OF THE MILITARY BILL.

We take from the telegraphic columns of the
Charleston Courier, the following abstract of the
Presidents veto Of this BILL which was sent to the
House on the 2nd inst Immediately after the
message was read, the House passed the bill by a
vote of l35 to Al.
''The President says, in effect, that he has ex-
amined the bill to provide more efficient govern
mcnt in the rebel States with the care which the
transcendent importance Of the subject awakens,
and is unable to give it his assent. The reasons
are so grave that he hopes statement thereof
may influence patriotic and enlightened men. The
bill places ten States under military rulers
He first combats the preamble, and states that
his information shows thatthc people of those States
have united in organizing their governments on a
basis of peace The face of the bill shows that its
object is not peace After the States adopt mea-
sures so VIGOROUSLY Objectionable, representation is
Ito be allowed without reference to security of lite
or property The excuse for the bill, urged in the
preamble is admitted by the bill itself to be false.
Military rule is established, not for the prevention
Of crime, but for the enforcement and adoption OF
odious laws. The measure, in character. scope,
and object, is without precedent or authority. 1t
palpaby conflicts with the Constitution. and Is des-
tructive of blood bought liberty
The power given brigader- generals is that OF
absolute monarchs-whose will is law They de-
terminc the rights of persons and property, dispose
of lands and goods within their districts, make
their own criminal code, and everything is crlml-
nal which they denominate crime Every person
is guilty whom they condemn They keep no re-
cord, and need make no report; can break up
courts-make judges and jurors criminals. Their
military courts are of their own making, with Off
GERS from their subordinates. Instead of mitiga;
ting the harshness of single rule, such courts would
J, I H.
lust. Several provisions, dictated by humanity.
introduced in the bill to restrain the officer are in
operative Each officer may define cruelty accord
ing to his own temper lash, ball and chain,
lie within his choice A military commander, ull-
der the provision of the bill, may condemn to death
without trial, thus avoiding Executive sanction.-
The authority given the military officer amounts to
absolute despotism, aggravated by the power To
delegate despotisn to subordlnates - the bill de-
claring that he shall punish, or cause to be pun
ishcd. This power has been denied to English
speaking the English language have borne such
servitude 1t reduces the population of ten States,
regardless of color, Sex or condition, and strangers
within their limits, to abject degrading slavery
1t may be answered, that officers are just and
humane. Doubtless they are equally so with 9TH
or classes but the history of the world has been
written vainly, if failing to show the danger Of
unrcstraned authority: 1t is almost invariably,
tyrannicak when the ruler isa stranger, appointed
by an unfriendly power 1t was tried in Hungary
and Poland resulting in suffcrings which aroused
the sympathy of the world In Ireland, though
tempered by the principles of English law, it bcgat
Indignantly denounced eruelties., The French Con-
vention, arming he'deputies with similar powers,
sent them to departments where masslcres, muir
ders, and atrocities followed. An irresponsible
deputy never yields what law don't extort. Have
we power to establish and carry the measure into
thoritv from the Constitution, or from an acknowl
edgment of its limitation. =,
The balance of the message consists of elaborate
constitutional arguments embracing copious ex-
tracts.