Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-07
The Presidents objections.
THE b. PASSED ovER THE VIZ

Aulned "tle Nlii % tl'Ntty i't e..O '',''.N
government OF the rebel States with the care
and anxiety which is tranSoendcut Importance
IS calculated 20 awaken. ala unable to give
!, nv assent Cor reasons So grave that hope a
statement # them may have some influence
ON the minds of tAe patriotic aud enhshteoed
men with wlom the decision must ultimately
rest
The bin places al hepeopleof the ten States
therein named nndor the absolute domination
Of mitarv ralers; and preamoie undertakes
e give the reason UpCn which the measure -
based. AM tie ground Cu'a wtich Il As loS''Le''
Il declares that tiese exists M those states no
legal governments aud no adequate pro''clon
f5r lie or property and asserts the aeccSs't y %
cuf,rcing peace and good order W''n!A 'AV'
limits. + ,his true as matter Il TACT
II IS not deoicl that the States ~ question:
bsve each Of them an actual government, WIN
,ll ina Movers. executive, judicial and leSIsia-
tive, which properly belong . iTee o' e
They arc o~sAnjzei hike the other States OF me
Irnicn and Ike them. they make. administer
ard execute the laws which concern their do
mestic affairs. "A existing de .fdc'o govern
rnent. exercising such functions as these, Is It
self the law of the State upon sll matters with
:, its Jurisdiction. To pronounce the supreme
lsv,.Daking power Of an established State lie
r-,l i tn saw that law itself 5 unlawful.
The provisions which these governments
have made tor the preservation of order, the
suDprcssi1n of crime. and the redress OF private
;riurics. are In suhstance0nd principl thcS0me
As those which prevail in the Northera States
and in other civilized countries. They certain
lv have NJ succeeded in preventing the COM
mission of al crime. nor has this been accom-
Dlisbed anywhere in the world. There aseise-
Who're offenders sometimes escape for want OF
vico-,us prosecution, end occasionally, perhaps.
nv the i7etEc,eucy Of courts or the pre-
judice Of Jurors.
7, Is undoubtedly true that these evils have
bssn much increased AID aggravated, North
and South. hv the demoraizing influences OF
civil war. and by the rancnrous passions wh'cl.
the contes, has eucenderpd. But that theS'
reoDle are maintaining local governments f-r
themselves which habtuslly defeat the Oh
20. Of an government and render their own
lives and propertv insecure Is IN itself utterly
inrrobabe and the avermeut Of the hill q
tbat effect IS not supp, rted bv any evl lence
,rbicb has come u nv knowledge Al the
information have on the subject cOuvlnces
me that the masses of the Southern people and
tb,se who control their public acts while thev
entertain diverse opinions on questions Of le'''
eral policv. are completely united IN the effort
10 organize their society on the basis Of peace
ard u restore their mutual prosperity as rapid
II and as completely as their circumstances
will permit.
The bin. however would seem 70 show upcD
IFS face that the establishment Of peace aNd
good order is not its real object. The ht.t
section declares that the preceding section;
III cot tr-Ira fN.w-
tain events shall have happened. These event,
are-First, the selection Of delegates q a State
convention by an election at which negroes
shali be allowed to vote. Second, the for
nation of a State constitution BY the convention
so chosen. Third. the insertion into the State
constitution OF a provision which will secure
the right Of voting at al elections % negroes.
and u such white men as may not be diSfrln-
chised for rebellion or felony. Fourth, the
submission Of the constitution FIR ratification
to negroes aud white men not DISTINGUISHED.
ard is actual ratification by their vote. Fifth,
the submission Uf the State constitution {.
Congress for examination and approval, and
the actual approval q Il by that body. Sixth
the adopti0n of a certain amendment % TIE
federal constitution by vote Of the Legislature
elected under the new constitution. Seventh
the NLt IN Nl LfiC ~tft tltlC-AAllIlt . SUI
6cient number Of other States - make it a
part Of the constitution Of the United States
An these conditions must he fulfilled before the
people Of any Of these Ststes can be relieved
from the bondage Of military domination but
when they are fulfilled, then Immediately tn
mains and penalties Of the bill are n cease, n,
matter whether there be peace and order or not
and without any reference TO the security q
tn, orc f.r fbq I'M
IN the preamble is admitted by the hill itSel
not to be real The military rule which it Is
tablishes is plainly to he used-not for any
purpose Of order or for the prevention Of crime
but solely as a means Of coercing thc peopt
into the adoption Of principles and measure
q which it Is known that they arc opposed
and upon which they have an uuGeliablc nigh
20 exercise their own Judgment.
/ submit O Congress whether this measure 4
not IN lis whole character scope and ohcc;
without precedent aud without authority, il
palpa0,e conflict with the piainest provisions o
the constitution, aud utterly destructive % tboS
great principles Of liberty and humanity 60
which our ancestors or both sides of the Allan
tic have she'd so much J,15l and cxpcaied s.
much treasure.
The ten States named in the bin are divide,
into FIVE districts. For each district an office
Of thearmy, not below the rank Of hrgadier gen
eral, is 10 be appointed to rule over the people
and be is 70 be sUpportcd with an efficient mill
tary force t. enable him % perform his dutie
and enforce his authority Those duties an
that authority. rs defined by the third section a
ihe bill tn protect ~ persons I'm their right
ofpersoa and property, toSuppreSs Instruction
disorder and violence. and o. punish or cause &
be punished al disturLcrS of the public pcac,
or criminals TIE power thus given to th
commanding officer over al the people of cacI
district is ;lat q an absolute mouarch. HI
mere viii Is 20 take the place Of law. The law
OF tue States is now the only rule applicable :,
The subjects placed under lis control. and tia
Is completely displaced hy the clause wl i1h dc
clares AL interference Of State authority T. 4,
null and void. lie alone is permitted to deter.
mine wuatare r.g. Is of person or property. and
be may Pro,ec; titnl in such way rs in his dis.
erection may seem prlpcr Il Mac. gf nf. r,,.