Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-12-12

form and exterior llnes OF builuIilSi out oe
hollow and unsuhStantial semblance, destitute
of cement or sodity.
The injurious effect Of the congressional sys-
ten of measures upon the public credit IS set
forth. and it is observed that if we repudiate
the constitution we will not be expected to
care much for mere pecuniary obligations
Reference is made to the paralysis OF Southern
trade, from which the North would derive so
great profit under the government OF law ;
and, as another reason why Congress shall re-
trace its steps, it is reminded, that. from the
day on which it fairly aud formally presented
the proposition to govern the Southern States
by military force, with view TO the ultimate
establishment of negro supremacy, every ex-
preston Of the general sentiment has been more
or less adj .1rSe TO it.
In regaI to the duty of the President to de-
fend the cinstitution, the President says 1t Is a
serious question how far that duty requires him
to 20 in opposing an unconstitutional act OF
Congress, nut that cases may occur IN which
the Execl live would be compelled to stand on
his own rights, and maintain them, regardless
Of all consequences. if Congress should pass an
act whichsis not only in palpahle conflict with
the constitution, hut will certainly, II carried
out. prod3ce immediate aud irreparable injury
to the or3anic structure Of the government ;
and if there be neither judicial remedy Tor the
wrongs it inflicts, nor power in the people TO
protect themselves without the official and OF
their elected defenders if, for instance, the legls-
latiye department should pass an act, even
through all the forms of law, to abolish CO.
ordinate departmental the government, IN such
a case the President must take the high reSpon-
sibtieS of his office and save the life Of the ma
ton at all hazards. The sO-called recoustruc-
ton acts, though rs plainly unconstitutional as
any that can be imagined, are not believed by
him to be within the class last mentioned
The people were not wholly dsarmed of the
power of selfiefense In all the Northern
States they still held in their hands the sacred
right Of the ballot, and it was safe to believe
that In due time they would come 10 the rescue
of their own constitutions. 1t gives him plea
sure to add that the appeal to common coustltu-
encies was not taken in vain and that his con-
fdeuce in their wisdom aud virtue seems not
to have been misplaced.
The President next calls attention to the
enormous frauds which have been perpetrated
on the treasury. The system of collecting and
dsburSug the vast sums required by the pub
lie eXuenses has been much disurganized by the
tenure Of office BILL which has almost destroy
ed official accountability. The President next
refers at length to the finances and the curren-
cv and advocates Il restoration of the curren-
cy To- the STANDARD established by the con-
stitutiou. He alIudes to the report of the Sec
retary of the Treasury, as setting forth ably
aud instructiycly the condition Of our finances
aud the operations of our revenue system. a
thorough revision Of the revenue system Is
earnestly recommended and such an ADJUST
meut of the internal revenue laws and import
system as to bear most heavily on articles OF
luxury. leaving the necesSares Of life as tree
from taxation As may lie consistent with the
real wants Of the government. The President
next makes reference To the reports ot the war.
Interior, Navy and Postoilice Departments, and
the remainder of the message Is devoted I"
foreign affairs and territorial extension. includ-
ing tie late acquisition from Russia, aud a trea-
~ which has been concluded with Denmark,
aud will be submitted to the Senate for consd-
Grafton. for the ceSsion of the Islands OF 81.
Thomas and st. Johns.
In reference tn paturalized citizens, 1t Is sta
tel that the annexation Of many small German
States tu PRUSSIA, anu Tue IfblpiHiI'tioh W
that country under a new and liberal conStiiu-
tiun. have in luc. the President 10 renew the
effort To obtain just aud prompt settlement oi
tie loug-vcXcd question concerning the Claims
f foreign States fur military service from Their
subjects uaturalzcd in the United States. ln
connection with this subject, the attention OF
Congress is called to the conflict oilaws between
Great Britain and the United States concerning
the rights of naturaized citizens, the courts oi
Great Britain holding that allegiance 10 tnC
British crown is iudcfeaShle whilst the Execu-
tive Department Of the United States hold that
naturalization absolvcs the recipient from hls
native allegiance. The President has hereto
fore called attention tothis subject, and he again
appeals to C,ugress to declare the national will
unmistakably upon til, important question
The President concludes by a suggestion wheth-
er the African slave trade from American port
having ceased, a proposition should not bc
made to the British government for a discon-
tinuance Of the stipulations for maintaining a
ioint naval force for the suppression OF thai
trade.