The veto message embodied an exhaustive review of the bill, a criticism of its "cruelty," and an attack upon its constitutionality. It denied the statement in the preamble that "no legal State governments or adequate protection for life or property," existed in these ten States, and declared that "the establishment of peace and good order is not its real object. * * * The military rule which it establishes is plainly to be used, not for any purpose of order or for the prevention of crime, but solely as a means of coercing the people into the adoption of principles and measures to which it is known that they are opposed, and upon which they have an undeniable right to exercise their own judgment." The despotic authority given to the commander of a district was vigorously denounced, and all the humane provisions of the bill were declared to depend upon the will of the commander, who could nullify them and oppress the people without limitations of any kind. "It reduces the whole population of the ten States--all persons, of every color, sex and condition, and every stranger within their limits--to the most abject and degrading slavery." But aside from its injustice, Johnson went on to argue, the measure was unconstitutional and could not legally be carried into execution. In a time of peace martial law could not be established, in proof of which statement he quoted from the decision of the Supreme Court, in _Ex parte_ Milligan, defining military jurisdiction. The denial of the right of trial by jury and of the privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ was not counterbalanced by the poor privilege of trial "without unnecessary delay." In defiance of the constitutional prohibition of bills of attainder, "here is a bill of attainder against nine millions of people at once"--a legislative enactment "based upon an accusation so vague as to be scarcely intelligible, and found to be true upon no credible evidence." The primary purpose of the bill, to compel these States "by force to the adoption of organic laws and regulations which they are unwilling to accept if left to themselves," was in itself unconstitutional. "The Federal Government has no jurisdiction, authority, or power to regulate such subjects for any State." Respecting the legality of the state governments, the important point was made that if they were illegal, their ratification of the 13th amendment could not have been legal. The message closed with an appeal for restoration "by simple compliance with the plain requirements of the Constitution."