Year: 1879

might open the Constitution and, reading
its precise and emphatic definition to trea
son, ask who of US is "levying war against
the United States or giving aid and com
fort to, their enemies" or what overt net Io
violence we are proposing to commit Z, eBI,
1 do not desire to make O. mere technica
argument. desire to meet the accusation
in its spirit as we'll as in its letter. Is.


WHAT ARE THE ISSUES BEFORE US 81


Let us understand them distinctly. But
first let me say what are not the issues we
are discussing. To me there is no qucs
tion, there can be none, as to the propriety
Eofs max ing the appropriations necessary fol
the suppofs Of the GUVef6ment ii All ia
departments. Upon this point there shall
be no misapprehension of my position. BY
no vote Of mine will the appropriations he.
cessary for the efficient maintenance of the
army be refused. 1t is competent for Con.
gress to declare under what limitations and
upon what conditions the appropriation is
to be made. The form in which this is
done L regard as immateriaI In my judg.
ment it would have been best to adhere to
the usual form but as it has been deemed
SoNioaUlC W CuS uCCCSSdIy
tions in another manner, l shall, in order
to secure unanimity, acquiesce in the deci.
sion of the majority. But in no event can
1 consent to aid in disbanding the army or
in impairing its efficiency. 1t is the army
of the South as we'll as of the North it is
the army of the whole country. In its his
tory, from the days ofthe revolution through
its achievements of 1872 aud the glories of
the Mexican war, l have sume reason, by
right of birth and of blood, to be proud
In the late civil contest, on many bloody
field, 1 tested its valor, and no word nor
act of mine shall dcpreciato its value or les
sen it's usefulness. But because so regard
it no act of mine shall tend to degrade it's
rank and file into a police squad nor convert
its officers into detectives. Twill not so leg
islate that against its own honorable instincts
and traditions it shall be. the instrument
of tyranny iu the hand of a factious party
or Of an executive who might be so un-
scrupulous as to use it unlawfully. Nor
shall consent, because of any difference of
sopinion upon matters of legislation between
the majority and the minority or between
the majority and the President, to close
the courts of justice, stop tho admiuistra-
ton of the departments and embarrass the
necessary and orderly life of the Govern
mcnt. The Constitution, which l have
not idly sworn to support, has provided a
means by which on appeal to the country
can be taken, and it is for the people to
decide whether the Presidential veto has
been wisely and patriotically used to defeat
the will of this Congress which represents
a vast majority of the citizens of the United
States. My duty will have been performed
when have used all the power with which
that Constitution has entrusted me. The
President and the minority in Congress
must be responsible for the use of theirs
And while these arc my general views of
my duty, certainly have no induccment,
no disposition, to embarrass the present ad-
ministration.


1t is a source of profound regret to me
that the President could not find himself
able to approve the bills he has vetoed. 10
me they seem to embody but simple decla-
rations of constitutional principles, and to
be in entire conformity with the policy
which he has announced repeatedly as the
one that he would pursue. But l am not
disposed on account of this differennc, grave
though it be, to dcnouncc his action nor to
impugn his motives. am we'll aware that
his position is not easy nor his responsibility
light. l remember, and the people whom
[ represent remember, that in


CRITICAL PERIOD OF OUR HISTORY,


in disregard Of the passions and IN opposi-
tion to the wishes Of the party who placed
him in his present position, with doubt as
to the result of his independent action,
moved, as | honestly believe, by his con-
victions of duty, he withdrew the Federal
troops from the State Houses of South Car.
olina and Louisiana thus enabling the peo.
pie Of those States to restore their local
governments to those who represent the
popular will, as we'll as the character, the
intelligence, and the property Of the two
States. For this action, wise and patriotic
as am sure that history will record it, |
Cor one am grateful. And while in the
honest and necessary party differences which
must arise in free country it will be my
duty, with all the energy and ability pos
sess, to oppose the partisan policy of which
he is the representative, my opposition shall
not be captious. Nor shall by bitter and
acrimonious cersure drive him into depen-
dcnco Oh those who would in their selfish
rush for power trampc on him and on us
trust, therefore, in what have to say
that shall be able to speak with truth and
sobcrness


What, then, let me ask again, arc the is