The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-01-25

NeQrO Suffrage has been FORCED upOn
the District of Columbia by Radical
Congress against The expressed aCW Of its
people!
During the last political campaign,
'sRepublican" orators and editors per-
sistently denied the charge that their
party favored negro suffrage, and thus
many were deceived into supporting
their candidates. But no sooner is the
election over, and Congress meets, than
this odious measure is again urged,
and passed, by the "Republican" ma
Drities in both Houses.
The bill to confer the right of the
ballot upon the swarms of negroes in
the District of Columbia having been
presented to the President, he, on Mon
day, returned it with aveto, giving his
reasons at length for withholding his
assent. The document contains many
clear and powerful arguments. The
following are its main points:
Entirely disregarding the wishes of
the people of the District of Columbia,
Congress has deemedit right and expe-
dent to pass the measure now submit
ted for my signature. 1t, therefore,
becomes the duty of the Executive,
standing between thelegislation of the
one and the will of the other, fairly
expressed, to determine whether he
should approve the bill and thus aid
in placing upon the statute-boOks Of
the nation law against which the peo-
pie to whom it is to apply have solemn
ly and with such unanimity protested,
or whether he should return it with
his objections, in the hope that upon
reconsideration Congress, acting as the
representatives of the inhabitants of
the seat of government, will permit
them to regulate purely local ques-
ton, as to them may seem best suited
to their interests and condition.
The District of Columbia was ceded
to the United States by Maryland and
Virginia, in order that it might be-
come the permanent seat of Govern
ment of the United States. Accepted
by Congress it at once became subject
to the exclusive legislation" for which
provision is made in the Federal Con-
stitution. 1t should be borne in mind,
however, that in exercising its func-
tions as the law making power of the
District of Columbia, the authority of
the National Legislature is not with
out 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
ment, as in legislation common to the
entire Union. Were it to be admitted
that the right "to exercise exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever"
conferred upon Congress unlimited
power within the District of Columbia,
titles of nobility might be granted
within its boundaries; laws might be
made Prospecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exer-
else thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech or of the press; or the right
of the people peaceably oassemble and
to petition the Government for redress
of grievances" Despotism would
thus reign at the seat Of Government
of free Republic, and, as place Of
permanent residence, it would be a.
voided by all who prefer the blessings
of liberty to the mere emoluments of
official position.
Tt should also be remembered that in
legislating for the District OF Column
bia, under the Federal Constitution,
the relation of Congress to its inhab-
itants is analogous to that of a Leglsla-
ture to the people of State, under
their own local Constitution. 1t does
not, therefore, seem to be asking too
much that, in matters pertaining to
the District, Congress should have a
like respect for the will and interests
of its inhabitants as is entertained by
State Legislature for the wishes and
prosperity of those for whom they leg
islate. The spirit of our Constitution
and the genius of our government re-
quire that, in regard to any law which
is to affect and have permanent bear
ing upon a people, their will should ex-
ert at least a reasonable 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, or of Indi-
ana, or of any State in the Union, in
opposition to the expressed will Of a
large majority of the people whom
they were chosen to represent arbitra-
rily force upon them, as voters, all per-
sons of the African or negro race, and
make them eligible for office without
any other qualification than certain
term of residence within the State:
In neither Of the States named would
the colored population, when acting
together, be able to produce any great
social or political result. Yet, in New
York, before he can vote, the man Of
color must fulfill conditions that are