National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-05-13
THE SECOND VETO MESSAGE.

The President has done his work promptly
and WELL AS has been anticipated and pre-
dicted, he yesterday sent message TO the
House of Representatives returning the bill
entitled "An act to prohibit military inter-
ference at elections" with his objections
to its approval. As it is work of superero-
CATION to gild refined gold there is not
much necessity for the use OF words on this
most perfect and invincible message. No
man, be he Republican or Democrat, who
will clOthe himself in clndor and read this
message attentively and critically, can come
to its end without being convinced that the
President could not have approved this bill
without an open and distinct violation of
his constitutional duty. He discovered in
this measure the stubborn fact that it is
aimed far less at military interference with
elections than at the powers Of the Federal
Government to enforce its laws, sustain the
traditional principles of the Constitution,
and maintain the Government in its integ-
rity.
The President very frankly declares
| against the interference of military at the
elections, and in this he is in full accord
with the Republican party Nobody wants
military at the polls and, as the President
says, "No intimidation or coercion should
be allowed to control or influence citizens
in the exercise of their right to vote
whether it appears in the shape OF COM
binatons of evil-disposed persons, or OF
armed bodies of the militia of n State, OF
of the military force of the United States
4" but there should be no denial of the right
of the National Government to employ its
military force on any day and at any
"place in ease such employment is neces,
sary to enforce the Constitution aud laws
of the United States.n This position on
thepnrt orthc Executive is impregnable and
will have the approval of every right-thnk'
ing, loyal man in the nation.
The President very skillmlly probes thi,
measure, and draws its virus to the surface
The question of military interference at the
elections is among the most innocent char
acteristcs of the bill. IT strikes at nationa
sovereignty and seeks to elevate State au
thority above it, which is theoretical Treason
itself This point is met with remarkable
firmness and power as an attempt TO secure
an abandonment of the supremacy o
the National Government in favo
of State Rights and subordina
tion of National authority to State SUI
premacy. This point is clearly put in the
message and cannot fail to attract publ,
attention in every section of the country
and secure popular approval wherever The
public sentiment is not tainted with treason
and rebellion.
In this message the President has simply
discharged his duty to the nation owe
which he presides, but he has done it 81
admirably well that he will receive tn,
plaudits Of II loyal and grateful people il
honor of this opportune interference be-
tween iucipent treason and national integ
rity The President mildly advises thesC
marplots and caucus conspirators in Con-
gress that if the existing statutes are not
abundant to completely prevent military
interference with the elections, he vii
find no difficulty in concurring in any
additional legislation which docs not in
terlere with the indispensable exercise o.
" the powers Of the Government under tn,
Constitution and laws"
tits to be hoped lor the peace, unity, anC
welfare of the nation that this treasonabl