The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-08
Presidents Veto of the Negro SuG-
fra@c ELL.
WASHINGTON, January T, 1867.


WASHINGTON, January T, 1867.
70 tie .Selnte of lie Unled sSllfes:
J. have received and considered
bill entitled an Act to regulate the
elective franchise in the District Of
Columbia, passed " the Senate, Oh
the 18th OF December, and by the
House OF Representative on the
succeeding day. II was presented
for my approva! on The 26th ultimo,
SIX days after the adjournment of
Congress, and is now returned, with
my objections, to tho Senate, in
Which House it originated. NIea-
snres having been introduced at the
commencement of the first session Of
the present Congress for the exten-
sion Of the elective franchise to per-
sons Of color i'll the District of Co
Iumbia, steps were taken by the
corporate authorities of Washington
and Georgetown to ascertain and
make known the opinions of the
people of the two cities upon a sub
ject so Immediately affecting their
welfare Us community. The ques-
ton was submitted to the people at
special elections, held in the month
of December, 1865, when the quail
fed voters of Washington and
Georgetown, with great unanimity Of
sentiment, expressed themselves op-
posed to the contemplated legisla-
ton. In Washington, in q vote of
6,55G, the largest with but two ex-
ceptions ever po!led in that city, only
thirty ballots were cast for negro
suffrage; while in Georgetown, in en-.
aggregate Of S13 votes, q number
considerably in excess Of the average
rate at the four preceding annual
elections, but one was given in favor
OF the proposed extension of the
elective franchise. IS these elections
seem to have been conducted with
entire fairness, the result must be
accepted as 4 truthful expression Of
the opinion of the people OF the
District upon the question which
evoked it. Possessing, rs ar organ
lied community, the same popular
right as the inhabitants of u State or
Territory, to make known their will
upon matters which affect their social
and political condition, they could
have selected no more appropriate
mode of memor;alizing Congress
upon the subject of this bill than
through the suffrage of their Cllah-
fled voters Entirely disrcgarding the
wishes Of the people OF the District
of Columbia, Congress has deemed it
right and eXpcdieMt to pass the mca-
sure now submitted tor my signature.
1t, therefore, becomes the duty of
the Executive, standing between the
Legislation Of the one and the will Of
the other, fairly expressed, to deter
mine whether he should approve the
bill, and thus aid in placing upon the
statute book OF the nation q law
against which the people to whom ii,
IS to apply have solemnlv and with
81. III unanimity protested; or whether
he should return it, with his objec-
tons. in the hope that, upon recon
s!dcratlon, Congress, acting aS the
OF the inhabitants c{
the seat Of. Government, Will permit
them TO regulate Il purely local ques-
ton as to them may seem best suited
to their interests and condition. The,
District OF Columbia was ccded to
the United States by Maryland and
Virginia, in order that it might be-
come the permanent scat Of Govern
ment of the United States, Accept
cd by Congress, it at once became
subject to the exclusive Legislation
for which provision is made IN the
Fedora! Constitution. Ii should be
borne ip mind, however, that i'll
exercising its functions us the law
making power of the District Of
Columbia, the authority Of the Ma
tional Legislature is not without
limit; but that Congress is bound to
observe the letter and spirit OF the
Constitution as we'll in the enactment
Of local laws for the seat OF Govern
mcnt us in Legislation common to tLe :
entire Union. Were it to be admit =
ted that the right to exercise exciu
sive LEGISLATION III I'LL cases whatsoever
conferred upon Congress G0lImited
power within The District Of Co3um-
bin. titles Of nobility might be grant
ed within its boundaries; laws might
be made respecting an establishments
of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, or abridgipg the
freedom of speech, Or OF the press,
or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble aud to peution the. Co
vermont for redress Of grievances
Dcspotism would thus reign at the
seat of Government OF a free repub-
/,