New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-22
VETO OF THE ARKANSAS BILL.

To he House Of RepTeschtdtres:
Ireturn without my signature bin entitled IAN act
to admit the State Of Arkansas TO representation IN Con-
cfess" The approval Of this bill would be an admission
ON the part Of the Executive that the Act for the more
efficient government Of tho Rebel States, passed March
1861 and the acts supplementary thereto, were proper
10 those measures has undergone changes but on the
contrary has been strengthened by the results which
have attended their execution. Even this not the
case | could not consent TO bill winch T. based upon
the assumption either that by an act OF rebellion OF pQr
Union that Congress may at It's pleasure eXpe or eN
cude State from the Union, or interrupt us relations
with Tie Government. by arbitrarily depriyng II or
representation In the Senate ana House Oh epIesent
lives II Arkansas is State not In the Union this bill
does not admit 1t state not IN the Union IT, on the
other hand, Arkansas Is state IN the Union no legs
lion is necessary 10 declare entitled to representation in
Congress as one the States Of the Union The Constitu
ton already that each state shall have at least one
Representative; that the senate shal DC composed OF
two Senators each state that no state without its
consent shall be deprived Of It's equal suffrage IN the SEN
ate" That instrument also mares each HOUSE lhe yudse
the election returns and qualifications OF ls own mem
bers and therefore all hat IS now necessary 10 restore
Arkansas in all its constitutional relations 10 me H3Yer
ment is q decision by each House upon the eligibility OF
those Who presenting their credentials claim seats III the
respective Houses OF Congress lhls - te pam anu
simple plan Of the Constitution and believing tlat, had
it been pursued when Congress assembled IN the month
of December 1865 the restoration Of the States would
have long since been completed, once again earnestly
in preference TO legislation, which respectfully
submit is not only of at least doubtful con
precedent but II is unnecessary not as effective In its
operation the mode prescribed by the Constitution IN
rather as applicable 10 Territory about TO be admitted
one OF the United states, than 10 State when ma;
a century The bill declares the state OF Arkansas is
entitled ana admitted 10 representation in Congress
one Of the Of the Union upon the following funda-
mental conditions That the Constitution OF Arkansas
shall never be so amended or changed deprive any
citizen or class citizens Of the United States Of the right
TO vote who are entitled TO vote by the Constitution
crimes as are felones at common law whereof they
shall have been duly convicted, under laws equally ap
pcabe TO all the Inhabitants Of said state provided That
any alteration Of said Constitution, prospective In Its
effect may be made IN regard to the time ana place Oh
have been unable to find in the Constitution Of the
United states any warrant for the exercise OF the author
ty titus claimed by Congress In assuming the power 10
impose fundamental conditions upon state which has
been duly admitted into the Union equal footing
with the original states III all respects whatever Con-
gress the right 10 enter state as 1t may Terri
Toy AM The eeetye franchise This question is reserved
by the Constitution 20 the states themselves ana TO con
be to reverse fundamental principle OF the Republic,
and to place In the hands of the Federal Government,
which r. the creature OF the States. the sovereignty
which Justly belongs the States the people the true
sources political power by whom our Federal system
~ az created and whose Will 10 Is subordinate The
bl fails TO provide in what manner the state OF Arkan
sas signify its acceptance OF inc nndanentai con,
and irrevocable. Nor does 1t prescribe me penaiy
to be imposed should tne people o. ~ I iIe S San
stutiOn which IL OF the purposes or the OH 10
Stnate Rnf as 10 the consequences OF such action,
l, isyes Them I'm uncertainty and doubt When the cir
cunstances under which lhls Constitution mas Deen
80 10 suppose that efforts will be made 10
modify It's provisions especially those in respect to which
fbs measure prohibits any alteration III Is seriously
ueoned whether the Constitution has been ratified by
majority Of the persons Who under the act OF March
1865 and the act supplementary thereto were entitled 70
registraton and 10 vote upon that issue Section 10 OF
the schedule provides that no person ia IRON rom
voting or registering under tins constitution sna voe
for CANDIDATES for any office, shall be permitted 10
vote for the ratification rejection OF the at
the pols herein authorized assumed TO be IN iOlee ne
fore its adopton disre gard OF the law OF Congress
the Constitution undertakes to impose upon the eeelot
other and further conditions. . -. A. 49,. 81,
The fifth section of the eighth article provides Ihat an
persons before gserng voting must take anu BUD
scribe TO OATH" WHICH, among otheis N'"""S INC
following clause , ,,,,o., oo,o,i,,, ~ oil
men and agree not 10 attempt 10 deprive any person OF
persons on acconntof color or previous eondon'
any political or civil night, privilege or lnhunS on
jOyed by any other class OF men do, =, ,ho o,oo
ii well known that very large portion OF tne eIec
In ali the States not large majority 40 NOT pc
eve in or ACCEPT practical equality OF indlans Mo
Rolans or negroes with the TO which tey DeIohR.