The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-01-09
VETO MESSAGE.

VETO MESSAGE.
Negro Suffrage in District Of CsisD-
nte-The President'. Osje.tiess.
The following is the Presidents mes
sage, vetoing the District of Columbia
Suffrage bill, read in the Senate on
Monday.
To .he Senate Of the United States
have received and considered bill
entitled IAN act to regulate the elective
franchise in the District Of Columbia, -
passed by the Senate on the 18th of De-
cember, aud by the House OF Represen-
tatives on the succeeding day. 1t was
presented Tor my approval on the 10Th
ultimo-six days after the adjournment
of COngress-and is new returned with
my objections to the Senate, in which
House ii originated.
Measures having been introduced, al
the commencement OF the first session
of the present Congress, for the extern
sion OF the elective franchise 10 persons
Of color in the District Of Columbia.
steps were taken by the incorporate au-
thorities II Washington and George
town TO ascertain and make known the
opinion OF the people Of the two cities
upon a subject so Immediately affecting
their welfare as a community. The
question was submitted TO the people al
special elections, held III the month Of
December, 1855, when the qualified
voters of Washington and Georgetown,
with great unaniInity OF sentiment, ex-
pressed themselves opposed to the con-
tenIplated legislation. In Washington,
III vote Of {, 6,lJ5-the largest, with but
two exceptions, ever polled in that city
only thirty-five ballots were cast tor
negro suffrage, while in Georgetown, in
au aggregate Of Sl3 votes-a number
considerably in excess Of the average
vote at the preceding elections-but one
was given IN favor OF the proposed ex-
tension Of the elective franchise. As
these elections seen TO have been con-
Quoted with entire fairness, the result
must be accepted as 4 truthful express
sion Of the opinion Of the people Of the
District upon the question which
evoked 1t. Possessing, rs an organized
community, the same popular rights as
the inhabitants Of State or Territory,
/ 10 make known their will upon matters
which affect their social and political
condition, they could have selected no
more appropriate mode Of memorializ-
ing Congress upon the subject Of this
I bill than through the suffrages Of their
qualified voters.
/ Entirely disregarding the wishes OF
the people Of the District of Columbia,
Congress has deemed il right and expe-
dient 10 pass the measure now submit
ted for my signature. 1t, therefore, be-
comes the duty OF the Executive, stand
ing between the legislation of the one
and the will Of the other, fairly ex-
pressed, 70 determine whether he should
approve the bill, and thus aid in plac-
ing upon the statute books Of the na-
tion a law against which the people TO
whom ii is 10 apply have solemnly and
with such unanimity protested, or
whether he should return it with his
objections, in the hope that upon re-
consideration, Congress, acting as the
representatives Of the inhabitants Of the
seat Of government, will permit them
10 regulate 4 purely local question, as
10 them may seem best suited to their
interests and condition.
The District of Columbia was ceded
20 the United States by Maryland and
Virginia. in order that it might become
the permanent seat Of government of
the United States. Accepted by Con
gress, i; al once became subject TO the
exclusive legislation for which pro
vision is made in the Federal Constitu-
tion. 1t should be borne in mind, how
ever, that in exercising its functions as
the law-making power b 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 well in the enactment of local laws
for the seat Of government, rs IN legis-
( lation common TO the entire Union.
Were il TO be admitted that the right
Ito exercise exclusive legislation in all
cases whatsoever conferred upon Con-
gress unlimited power within the Dis
Irict of Columbia, titles Of nobility
might be granted within its boundaries;
laws might be msde "respe citing an es-
tablishment Of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof or abridging
the freedom of speech or Of the press ;
or the right of the people peaceably TO
assemble and TO petition the Govern
ment for n redress Of grievances Des-
potism would thus reign AT the seat OF
/ government of \ free Republic, ana, as
= place of permanent residence, il would
I l. ,,D,Aal l.x- al ,x-1n ha l.l.so-
sings of liberty TO the mere einoluments
of official position.
1t should be remembered that in leg
islating for the District of Columbia,
under the Federal Constitution, the re-
l2tion of Congress to its inhabitants Is
analogous 10 that Of Legislature to the
people Of n State, under their own Con-
stitution. 1t does not, therefore, seem
TO be asking too much that, in matters
pertaining TO the District, Congress
should have like respect for the will
and Interests of its inhabitants as ii is
entertained by State Legislature for
the wishes and prosperity of those for
whom they legislate. The spirit Of our
Constitution and the genius Of our
Government require that, in regard to
2lN INV WhiNu - W 1hOSk ahA navy q
permanent bearing upon people, their
wishes should at least exert arsasonable
influence upon those who are acting In
the capacity Of their legislators Would,
for instance, the Legislature of the
State of New York, or Of Pennsylvania,
OF Of Indiana, or of any State in the c
Union. in opposition TO the expressed
viii of q large majority Of the people
1 whom they have chosen TO represent,
arbitrarily force upon them, rs voters,
all persons of the African or negro race,
and make them eligible for Office, with
out any other qualification than Ger.
tain term Of residence within the Statei
In neither Of the States named would
the colored population, when acting to-
gether, be able TO prodnes any great
social or political resRlfs. Yet, In New
| York. before he cah VOTE the man Of