The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-06-26
Veto Message,

The President sent to the House OF
Representatives message, withholding
his approval of the Arkansas Admis-
sion Bill. The bill was subsequently
passed by the necessary two-thirds, and
the message ordered to be transmitted
to the Senate. We subjoin synopsis :
The approval of this bill would be
the admission that the act more efficient
ly governing the rebel States, and the
acts supplementary thereto, were pro-
per and constitutional, whereas, the
Presidents opinion is unchanged In
this respect, but rather strengthened by
the results attending their execution. Z
If Arkansas is not a State, this bill
does not admit her. IF she is State,
no legislation is necessary to her repre-
sentation in Congress-. Each House.
under the constitution, judges the cleo
ton returns and qualifications of its
own members, and nothing is necessary
to restore Arkansas but the decision by
each House, of the eligibility of those
presenting credentials. This the plain
simple plan of the constitution, which,
had it been adopted in 1866, instead OF
legislation of doubtful constitutionality,
and therefore unwise and dangerous,
her restoration would long since have
been accomplished. tan.l 2ai i'l'.ssi
The President again recommends the
adoption of the constitutional PLAN
The terms proposed are scarcely appli-
cable to territory, certainly not to- a
State which has occupied place in the
Union over quarter of century.
The President is unable to find au-
thority for the conditions of the bill in
the federal constitutions. The elective
franchise is reserved by the constitution
to the States themselves. The bill fails
to provide how Arkansas shall signify
her acceptance of the fundamental con-
ditions, nor does itlprescribe the penal
ties Of notification. 1t is seriously
questioned whether the constitution has
been ratified according to the law Jas.
sumed to be in force. y.ty 8Ti
Before its adoption the Arkansas
constitution restricted the franchise on
its ratification by tests unknown in the
ICCOllsJTuCllOli uClS--diuotlS JucIIi WcIt
the acceptance of the political and civil
rights of all men. 1t is well known
that large portion, if nota large ma
jority of the electors do not accept this
test, and if applied to voters North
there is reason to believe they would
remain away from the polls rather thar
comply with its degrading conditions
The President concludes; "Should
the people of Arkansas, therefore, de-
sire to regulate the elective franchise Sc
as to mako it conform to the constitu
tons of large proportion Of the States
OF the North and West modifying tht
provisions referred to in the fundaman
tai conditions, what is to be the conse
quence? Is it intended that denial o
representations shall follow? And i
so, may we not dread at some future
day a recurrence Of the troubles which
have so long agitated the country ?
Would it not be the part of wisdom t.
take for our guide the Federal Consti
tuition, rather than resort to measures
which, looking only to the present, may
in few years, renew in an aggravated
form the strife and bitterness causet
caused by legislation which has PROVED
to be ill-timed and mfoftunate !?