Historical Speech: March 27, 1866: Veto Message on Civil Rights Legislation

Freedmen's Bureau Act & The Freedmen's Bureau

Historical Speech: March 27, 1866: Veto Message on Civil Rights Legislation

03/27/1866

Historical Speech

The University of Virginia presents an 1866 historical speech, given by President Andrew Johnson to the United States Senate, in which Johnson explains his reasoning for vetoing the proposed Freedman's Bureau Act. Johnson emphasizes that, "the tendency of the bill must be to resuscitate the spirit of rebellion and to arrest the progress of those influences which are more closely drawing around the States the bonds of union and peace."

The Freedmen's Bureau was a federal agency that was created to provide aid to displaced Southerners, including newly freed people, during and after the Civil War. 

View Source Here

University of Virginia (Contributor: Miller Center)

Rights Statement: Project Reconstruction curates links to primary and secondary sources from a wide variety of digital newspapers, museums, libraries, universities, historical societies and other governmental and nongovernmental websites. Use of said content is solely at your own risk. Consult each source’s original publisher for all rights and terms of use associated with their content.

Insensitive Language/Images: Some sources may include insensitive language or images that were created just before, during or after the Reconstruction Era. We try our best to include advisory “notes” in the description section of each source to inform site visitors about potentially insensitive material.

Fairness & Accuracy Statement: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that seems inaccurate or doesn't look right, please contact us.