Andrew Johnson: “Crimes against the United States can be prevented or punished by the proper judicial authorities in a manner entirely…”

My object in this communication is to suggest certain defects in the Constitution which seem to me to require correction.

No power exists in the Constitution authorizing the joint resolution or the supposed law--the only difference being that one would be more palpably unconstitutional and revolutionary than the other.

The danger of a defeat of the people's choice in an election by the House of Representatives remains unprovided for in the Constitution.

With these brief suggestions the bill is respectfully returned, and the consideration of Congress invited to the accompanying preamble and resolutions.