Rutherford B. Hayes: “To establish the principle of this bill is to make a radical, dangerous, and unconstitutional change in the character of…”

Continued opposition to the full and free enjoyment of the rights of citizenship conferred upon the colored people by the recent amendments to the Constitution still prevails in several of the late slaveholding States.

I submit the subject to your favorable consideration and recommend that a suitable appropriation be made to enable this Government to accept the foregoing invitation by appointing one or more delegates to attend the congress in question.

I transmit herewith a copy of proclamation for the convening of an extra session of the Senate of the United States at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the 4th day of March next, at noon.

I would commend the suggestions and recommendation of the chairman of the Commission to the careful consideration of Congress.