Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-12-13
President's S Mesgage.

Felt0tU- Citizens Of the Senate and
House Of Representatives
The continued disorganization of the
Union, to which the President has so
often called the attention of Congress,
is yet a subject Of profound and patri-
otic concern. We may, however, find
some relief from that anxiety in the re-
Election that SO paiufuf a polfsio5st sitClaz-
tions although before untried by our
selves, is not new in the experience Of
nations.
Political science, perhaps as highly
perfect in our time and country as in
any other, has not yet disclosed any
means by which civil wars can be ab-
solutely prevented.
An enlightened nation, however, with
a wise and benehcent constitution of
free government, may diminish their
frequency and mitigate their severity
by directing all its proceedings IN ac-
cOrdance with its fundamental law
When a civil war has been brought to a
close, it is manifestly the first interest
and duty OF the State to repair the in
juries which the war has inflicted, and
to secure the benefit of the lessons it
teaches as fully and speedily as possi-
bic. This duty was, upon the termine-
ton of the rebellion, promptly accept
ed, not only by the Executive Depart
ment, but by the insurreCtiOnarY States
themselves, and restoration, in the first
moment of peace, was believed to be as
easy and certain as it was indispensa-
bic. Expectations, however, then so
reasonably and confidently entertained,
were disappointed by legislation from
which felt constrained, by my ooliga-
tions to the Constitution, to withhold
my assent.
The President continues this style Of
balderdash at some length, and by a
rehash of his former stump speeches
and veto messages, with which our
readers are familiar, arrives at the fol-
lowing conclusion:
Being sincerely convinced that these
views are correct, I would be unfaithful
to my duty if L did not recommend a
repeal of the acts Of Congress which
place ten of the Southern States under
the domination Of military masters. If
calm reflection shall satisfy majority
Of your honorable bodies that the acts
referred to are not only violation OF
the national faith, but in direct conflict
with the Constitution, I dare not per-
NIT myself to doubt that you will im-
mediaJely strike them from the statute
books.
In our comments last week we gave
the substance Of what follows in refer
ence to the alleged unoonstitutionality
Of the reconstruction laws, and of the
driveling stuff which succeeds about
'sAfricanizing half our country
A few months ago Gen. Grant found
it difficult to restrain the President in
his thirst for vengeance upon leading
traitors, but now, presto change, he
thinks the people he wanted to hang
have been greatly wronged, and says:
Z
den, cannot be cOnstitutiOnally y inflicted
upon any portion OF our people, no mat
ter how they may have come within
our Jurisdiction, and no matter whether
they live in States, Territories or Dis
trIcts. Vengeance upon classes, sects
or parties, or upon whole communities,
for offenses committed by them against
the government to which they owed al
| legiance, was common in the barbarOus
ages of the world, but Christianity and
civilization have made such progress
that recourse to punishment so cruel
and unjust would meet with the con-
demnatiOn of all unprejudiced and
1 right-minded men.
In contradiction of facts as clear and
incontrOvertible as the light of day, the
President says:
It is manifestly and avoWedIy the OBJ
| ject of these laws to confer upon negroes
/ the privilege of voting, and to disfran-
chise such number of white citizens as
/ will give the former a clear majority at
| all elections in the Southern States
| Negro suffrage was established by act
/ of Congress, and military officers were
/ commanded to superintend the process
/ Of clothing the negro race with the po-
| utical privileges wrested from white
/ men.
In smother place he makes the follow
ing somewhat-amusing comparison;
Yesterday, as it were, four millions OF
/ persons were held in a condition Oi
| slavery that had existed for generations.
/ To-day they are treemen, and are as
sumed by law to be citizens. 1t cannot
| be presumed, from their previous con-
dition Of servitude, that as a class they
are as we'll informed as to our govern
ment as the intelligent foreigner who
/ makes our land his home. In the case
of the latter, neither a residence Of Eve
years, and the knowledge OF our insti-
tutiOns which it gives, nor the attach
ment to the prinCip pies Of the Constitu-
tion, are the only conditions upon
which he can be admitted to citizenship
he must prove, in addition, a good
moral character, and thus give reason
able ground for belief that he Will be