rt of ours can prevent its passage,
and the consequent accomplishment of a dissolution of the Union, and
the overthrow and abandonment of our constitution of government. We
can only, in the name of the Constitution, in the name of the
republic, in the name of all we hold dear on earth, earnestly,
solemnly protest against this action of this Congress."

Mr. Le Blond said that "the passage of this bill would be the
death-knell of republican liberty upon this continent." He declared
his willingness, if a sufficient number on his side of the House would
stand by him, to resist to the utmost extremity of physical exhaustion
the passage of this bill, which would "strike a death-blow to this
Government."

Mr. Stevens would not be discourteous to those who were opposed to
this bill: "I am aware," said he, "of the melancholy feelings with
which they are approaching this funeral of the nation." He was
unwilling, however, to lose the opportunity to pass the bill at once,
and send it to the Senate, that the House might proceed to other
matters.

The vote was taken, and the House passed the bill over the President's
veto--yeas, 135; nays, 48. The announcement of this result was
followed by great applause on the floor and in the galleries.

The immense numbers that had assembled in the galleries of the House
to witness these proceedings went immediately to the other end of the
Capitol to see the reception which the Veto Message would receive in
the Senate. The consideration of the subject, however, was deferred
until the evening session.

The Veto Message having been read in the Senate by the Secretary, the
pending question at once became whether the bill should pass
notwithstanding the objections of the President?

Mr. Johnson advocated the passage of the bill over the veto. "It
contains," said he, speaking of the President's message, "some legal
propositions which are unsound, and many errors of reasoning. I lament
the course he has thought it his duty to pursue, because I see that it
may result in continued turmoil and peril, not only to the South, but
to the entire country. I see before me a distressed, a desolated
country, and in the measure before you I think I see the means through
which it may be rescued and restored erelong to prosperity and a
healthful condition, and the free institutions of our country
preserved."

In reply to a charge of inconsistency brought against him by Mr.
Buckalew, Mr. Johnson said: "Consi