Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-07-26

Congress the Supplementary Reconstruction
bill with his reasons for not approving the
same
1t is clear and concise, and with conclu-
sive reasoning shows its entire unconstitu-
tionality.
He asserts that the section declaring the
intent and meaning Of the prior acts fixes
upon them meaning at variance with their
language, which made the government of the
Southern States subject to military authori-
ty, in some especial particulars, Or as they
expressly stated, "us hereinafter pyescrtb-
ed," while this declaratory act makes them
subject to unlimited military authority, and
declares that it is impossible to conceive any
state of society more intolerable than that to
which the twelve millions of people in the
Southern States are reduced by the United
States Congress. He says the power given
military officer to remove any civil officer
of State is greater than all the Departments
of the Federal Government, separately or
collectively, have ever dared to exercise and
shows, by the appointment Of U. S. military
officers to perform civil duties in the South
crn States, that the United States assumes
the civil government Of these States, and
makes patent the folly of the United States
attempting to carry on governments which
arc declared illegal by military officers, who
must perform the duties imposed by illegal
State authority. He calls especial attention
to that section which provides that military
commanders and their appointecs shall not
be bound 'by the opinion ofany civil officer
of the United States" and exhibits the folly
of requiring officials appointed, who may be
totally ignorant of their duties, to ask
information solely from military officers who
may be equally ignorant.
He points to the assumption of Congress
that the ten communities are not States and
have no legal governments, while in the acts
of Congress from 1861 to 1867, by the ac-
ton of the Supreme Court, and by the as
scssment and collection of the Revenue they
are recognized as States of the Union, and
successfully does away with the argument
that these States are conquered territories.
Finally he alludes to the vesting of the
power Of removing from and appointing to
Office in the Southern States in a military
officer, subject only to the approval of the Gen
eral of the U. S. Army, thereby depriving
the President of Constitutional and essen
tial power, he being responsible for the faith
full execution Of the laws and yet deprived
Of the power to do SO. and expresses his ina
bility to give his assent to the surrender Of
this trust to any one, high or low, and says
in conclusion:
eff this executive trust, vested by the
constitution in the President, is to be taken
from him and vested in subordinate officer
the responsibility will be with Congress in
clothing the subordinate with demonstrations
al power, and with the officer WIS assumes
its exercise. This interference with the con-
stitutional authority of the executive depart
ment is an evil that will inevitably sap The
foundations of our federal system: but it is
not the worst evil of this legislation. It is
great public wrong to take from the Presi-
dent powers conferred upon him alone by the
constitution, but the wrong is more fragrant
and more dangerous when the powers so ia
ken from the President are conferred upon
subordinate executive officers, and especially
upon military officers Over nearly one
third of the States of the Union military
power, regulated by no fixed law, rules SUI
preme.
Each one of these five district commanders
though not chosen by the people or respon-
sible to them, exercises at this hour more ex-
ecutive power, military and civil, than the
people have ever been willing to confer upon
the head Of the executive department, though
chosen by and responsible to themselves =
The remedy must come from the people
themselves They know what it is, and how
it is to be applied. At the present time they
cannot, according to the constitution, repeal
these laws; they cannot remove or control
this military despotism. The remedy, never
tbeless, is in their hands it is to be found
in the ballot, and is sure one, if not con-
trolied by fraud, overawed by arbitrary pow
or. or from apathy on their part too long de-
layed. With abiding confidence in their pa
triotism, wisdom and integrity, am still
hopeful of the future, and that in the end the
rod of despotism will be broken, the armed
rule Of power be lifted from the necks of the
people, and the principles Of violated con-
stitution preserved"
The bill however was passed over the veto
by large majority in both Houses.
Cholera is prevailing in Arkansas along
the Mississippi River, to a considerable ex-
font and ic cold to ho roo;n, ~ Dar+, To-