The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-21
Tho Presidents Veto of the Arkansa. Bill

Tho Prosident's Veto Of the Arkansas Bill.
Brief, moderate in language though earnest
in sentiment, able in argument and carrying
conviction to all minds not prejudiced by par
tisan sympathies and considerations, the Presi-
dents veto Of the bill to admit Arkansas to
representation must be regarded as one of the
best State papers of his production. 1t does
not matter il Mr. johnson failed to display
good policy in vetoing the measure, knowing,
as he did, that it would be almost Immediately
passed over his objections. We regard only
the position assumed by the President and the
reasons given by him for the course he has
pursued. Mr. Johnson begins the message by
declaring that his views in regard to the I'M
constitutiOnality of the reconstruction laws
have not changed, but have been rather
strengthened by time and circumstances. II,
however, those views had changed he would
still be compelled to return the bill without his
signature. The great and insuperable Objec-
tons overshadowing all others dwell in the
proposed State constitution of Arkansas itself,
and in the assumptions of power by Congress
not warranted by the constitution of the United
States. The President maintains his opinion
that Arkansas was never out of the Union, and
that, therefore, no law was needed to admit
her. he claims, as is VIGOROUSLY KNOWN that
it is doubtful whether the work of the State
Convention was ratified by a majority of the
registered voters who attended the polls.
If, however, these points could even be sur
mounted or explained away, there still re-
mains that clause of the constitution which
port and believe in the political equality of all
men, and that clause of the bill vetoed which
makes admission to representation consequent
upon the condition that no class OF citizens
(meaning negroes) shall ever be deprived
Of the elective franchise. On the first
| force, that if such test oath was
applied to the citizens of nearly all OF the
Northern and Western States it would virtually
disfranchise majority, and probably very
large one, of the voters of those States. With
regard to the condition imposed by the bill he
holds that Congress has no power to make it.,
and that if it's violation should result in denial
of representation to the State there would be
"a recurrence of the troubles which have so
long agtated the country"
Such are the main points of the veto mes
sage. AS we have remarked already, it is an
admirable document, being moderately worded,
convincingly argumentative and well adapted
for the Thoughtful to reflect upon. 1t was, OF
course, wholly lost upon the radical members
of the House, and by strict party vote the
bill was passed over the veto. 1t now goes to
the Senate, where it will become a law, and
then Arkansas will be admitted to representa-
ton upon condition that every white voter in
the State will consent to swear that the negro
is his political equal, or failing in 30 swearing
quietly submit to Acknowledgement. The actor
of Mr.. Johnson in this matter indicates wha
course he will pursue with the Omnibus bill
admitting six of the Southern States to repre-
sentation. In all but two-Georgia and 1--WE
believe) North Carolina-the same equality
test oath is required by the constitution 30 8
veto may be regarded as certain