Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-05-21
AGAIN TO THE RESCUE.
Second Veto of President Hayes Bear.
ing on the Southern Question.

The following is the message of the Pres
ident of the United States, returning to the
House of Representatives. the bill entitled
can act to prohibit military interference at
elections.
To THE House. OF REPRESENTATIVES:
After careful consideration of the bill
entitled ''An act to prohibit military inter-
ference at elections" l return it to the
House of Representatives, in which it org
mated, with the following objections to its
approval:
In the communication sent to the House
of Representatives on the 29th of last
month, returning to the House without my
approval of the bill entitled San act max
ing appropriations for support of the army
for tha fiscal year ending June 80, 1880,
and for other purposes" I endeavored to
show 5y quotations from the statutes Of the
United States now in force and by brief
statements Of facts in regard TO recent cleo
tions IN the several States, that no addi-
tional legislation was necessary 10 prevent
interference with the elections by the mill
tary or naval forces Of the United States.
The fact was presented in that communica-
ton that at the time of the passage of the
act of June Is, 1873, in relation 10 employ
ment of the army as posse comltafus or
otherwise, it was maintained by its friends
it would establish a vital and fundamental
principle, which would secure TO the people
protection against a standing ARMY. The
act was also referred TO that since the pas
sage Of this act Congressional, State and
municipal elections have been held through
out the Union, and that in no instance has
complaint been made of the presence of
United States soldiers at the polls.
FREEDOM az ELEcTIoss.
Holding as | do the opinion that any
military interference whatever at the polls
is contrary to the spirit of our Institutions
and would tend to destroy the freedom OF
elections, and sincerely desiring to concur
with Congress N all of its measures, it is
with regret that am forced TO the conclu-
sion that the bill before me is not only IN
necessary to prevent such interference, but
is dangerous departure from long-settled
and important constitutional principles.
THE TRUE RULE.
The truel rule as 10 the employment OF
military force at the elections is not doubt
ful. No intimidation or coercion should
be allowed TO control or influence citizens
in the exercise of their right to vote, wheth-
er it appears in the shape Of combinations
evIl-disposed persons or of armed bodies of
the militia of state or of the military force
of the United States. The elections should
be free from all forcible interfereEces, and,
as far as practicable, from ali apprehension
of such interference.
No SOLDIERS At TIE Polls.
No soldiers either of the Union or of the
State militia should be present at the polls
or take the place or perform the duties of
the ordinary civil police force. There has
been and will be no violation of this rule
under orders from me during this admins
t-atlon.
The RIGHrs OF GOVERNMENT.
But there should De no denial OF the right
of the National Government 10 employ its
military force on any day and at any place
in case such employment is necessary to
enforce the Constitution and laws of the