Excerpt from his veto of the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 Carried forth on March 27, 1866

The president angers many by vetoing a bill designed to assist African Americans

"The distinction of race and color is by the bill made to operate in favor of the colored and against the white race."

Seven months after the slaves were freed by the North's victory in the American Civil War (1861–65), the state of Mississippi passed new laws affecting African American residents. For the first time, African Americans were given rights to buy land, sue and be sued, even marry in state-recognized ceremonies. But the laws did not stop there. Every African American person had to provide written proof of having a "lawful home or employment." Any African Americans caught wandering the streets at night, neglecting their jobs, or even "misspend[ing] what they earn" could be arrested as...