Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-20
GOVERNOR KEMPER,S VETO.

ample of Governor Kemper VIII be
without injurious influence beyond
the limits of his own State, for the
reason that he has been looked upon
as a representative man of that uneasy,
restless feeling, that from time to
time, has been cropping out in differ
ent parts of the country, in efforts to
create an organization separate from
that which has sincet the war conducted
the fight against the National Repub-
lican party. Governor Kemper as an
exponent of the views and purposes OF
the new movement, is legitimate
subject for comment outside OF Nir-
ginia.
The fall of MIR. Groesbeck, of Ohio,
from the high position he had SO long
held, so soon after his straying after
new gods, did not necessarily cast any
slur upon the cause he had so recently
espoused, and may be passed by with
ont further comment. The same silence
is'not meet, however, in regard to the
evil influence of Governor kcmpera
course, if for no other reason, because
he has so lately received the endorse
ment Of the people of his grand ola
commonwealth in his recent election
by a large majority to the position he
now holds.
It is one thing for Mr.. Groesbeck to
take part in the effort to form new
party III the State of Ohio, and failing
endorsement in that by the people, to
be detected in an effort at bribery and
corruption. It is quite another thing
for Governor Kemper who has been
held up as the head and front, no mat
ter how incorrectly, Of that same new
movement in Virginia, IN the very
hour of victory, to place himself, rs 1t
we're. in accord with rad.calism and il
hostility with the great mass of the
people Who had just cast their suffrages
for him.
We do not for amoment believe that
the sentiments expressed by Governor
Kemper in his recent veto message re-
fleet in any degree the sentiment OF
the people who elected him. II we
thought that gallant people had given
allegiance to the doctrine that there
was Il higher law deeper and more
sacred than constitutions, controlling
their construction and checking and
coutining Legislative power, we
should indeed despair of the future OF
our country. But we believe no such
thing.
If Governor Kemper had thought
the bill was unconstitutional and had
so said, no man in or out of Virginia
would have dared to blame him for re-
fusing to affx to it his signature. But
he places his veto, a new "e1ecutlye
function" and of radical importation
by the way, Oh no such grounds.
The objections are founded upon a
Fundamental trntl.' in his opinion,
superior to and controlling Legislatures
and constitutions and '-cxpediency. :"
1t is useless to argue with man who
draws his premises from a higher
law from truths" that are more
sacred than constitutions, control
their constructions and check and con-
fine Legislative power" Thaddeus
Stevens, William FL. Seward and Charles
Sumner argued from these premises
and found their conclusions iii the
wreck and ruin and subjugation Of the
South.
Arguing thus upon the question of
principle it was fitting that Governor
Kemper should upon the point of ex-
pediency declare that the passage Of
the bill to amend the charter OF the
City of Petersburg would tend to draw
upon the devoted heads of Virginians
the wrath of the Federal Government;
it was fitting also that he should urge
as is SO frequently done by politicians,
living in communities in which white
men predominant, that it is inexpedient
to interfere with the ''groWing frater-
nal relations between the races" 1t
Is favorite theory with certain politi-
clans who live at safe distances from
negro domination, that white men at
less safe distances ought to lear with
more fortitude the ills that an i'll
scrutable providence has imposed up
on them. 1t is astonishing with what
philosophical equanimity men can bear
the misfortunes of their neighbors.
We imagine, however, that the peo-
pie of Petersburg and the people of
Eastern Virginia generally will have
little patience with the action of their
new Governor, even if he has so re-
Gently been honored with an interview
by President Grant. We imagine,
too, that they would vastly prefer
peace and right rule at home even if
it should entail upon them the risk of
MISREPRESENTATION abroad
The people who live under negro
rule know what it means, and to talk
to them about higher law or All ex-
pediency that extends or continues
that rule beyond what the Constitution
requires, excites suspicion of Il want
OF sympathy or a want Of sincerity,
The man who knows what negro rule
means and proposes to extend or to
continue it beyond what the Constitu-
ton requires is either q negro lover
ut heart or views with selfish disregard
the misfortunes of his fellow-men.
This is a land of white men, and it
IS idle to talk or to pretend otherwise
The New York Times thinks the
Democrats of the Virginia Legislature
could not fairly have been asked to do
honor to the memory of MIR. Sumner,
and is not surprised that they refused
to 10 so.