The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-09-02
The Alabama Electoral Bill.

The Alabama Electoral Bill.
GOVERNOR SMITHS VETO MESSAGE
EXECUTIVE DEPT STATE or ALABAMA, >
- Montgomery August II, 1868. {
To the Senator f e oo;pi
By the second section, article Sd, of the
I Constitution of the United States, it is
provided, that each State shalt appoint in
such manner as the Legislature thereof
may direct, a number Of electors equal to
| the whole number of Senators and Repre-.
sentatives to which the State may be enti-
tied by Congress-. Thus it is clear that the
! Legislature has undoubted constitutional
power to choose the Presidential Electors.
But the constitution of this State requires
that every bill or resolution having the
force of law, to which the concurrence of
both Houses may be necessary, except on
a question of adjournment, which shall
have passed both Houses, shall be pre-
scented to the Governor, and If lie approve,
he shall sign it, and if not, he shall return
it., with his objections, to the House in
which it shall have originated. Here is
deyolved upon the Governor plain but at
the same time, an imperative duty. The
constitution is mandatory in requiring HIM
to approve or disapproye every bill pre-
scented to him. ~
Hecoald not, if he would, evade the du.
tythus imposed upon him. For several
days have been carefully and anxiousIy
considering the merits of the bill, which
originated in the Senate, to be entitled an
act to repeal section 217 of the Revised
Code, and for other purposes. After the
most mature reflection, am forced to the
conclusion that the bill is wrong in prin-
ciple. and that it would be a dangerous
precedent in n Republican government
As my judgment does not approve of the
bill, it is my duty to return it to the Sen
ate with my objections. To me this is an
/ unpleasant duty. If 1 entertained any
doubt in regard to the justice or policy of
the bill, ! would give the benefit of the
doubt to the General Assembly, and ap-
prove the bill. All republics are based
upon the doctrine g that governments de-
rive their power from the consent of the
governed" No party in this country has
proclaimed this doctrine with such peril
nacity, or commended so earnestly for its
adoption in its fullest sense, as the Repub-
lican party. That party stands committed
to the platform recently adopted BY the
Convention at Chicago, which nominated
Grant and Colfax, to universal suffrage in
the States lately in rebellion. This posi-
ton has been gradually assumed by the
Republican party of the nation, at the
earnest request of the Southern Unionists,
upon the plea that it was necessary for the
protection of the Union men of both races
that colored men should be allowed to
vote.
In the effort to secure this right con-
fict ensued between the Executive and
Legislative Departments of the national
Government, which has convulsed the
country and has well-nigh precipitated
civil war. Indeed, the full extent and ulti-
mate result Of that conflict cannot yet be
foreseen. 1t cannot but be regarded as re-
markable that the first Republican Legisla-
ture convened in Alabama should, in the
face of the principles of its. organization,
which every Republican PROCESSES to hold
dear, deny not only to the colored, but to
the white man, the right by his vote to in
dictate his choice for a President and Vice
President Of the United States, and to
take the matter in its own hands. What
excuse can there be for it? Is it mere
party expediency? IF so, then it is an
abandonment of principles, or an acknowl-
edgment that the material out of which the
Republican party is composed cannot be
trusted. This action Of the General As
sembly will be regarded as still more re-
Diarkable, when considered in connection
with what seems to have been the almost
unanimous opinion Of the leading members
of the Republican party of Alabama 1t
was believed by most Of them, and SO rep
resented at Washington that large major
ity of the voting population of the State
were in favor of the Constitution. This
was as much as to say that the Republican
Z aal. - Z, -r- |
party was in a large majority in the State,
for it is well known that none but Repub-
licans favosed the Constitution-even
some Of them opposed it. If the party is
as strong as it is supposed to be, then the
necessity of this exigency does not exist,
would we be Unsuitable in resorting to it?
AS much as / desire the election Of Grant |
end Colfax, l am unwilling to become |
party, i'll behalf ofthis desirable result, to !
scheme which practically denies the very
principle for which these standard bearers |
stand pledged before the country. But it
may be said, that owing to the excited |
temper of the Democratic party. we cannot
have peaceable election. and that the