The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1867-12-06

A
which is not only in palpablc conflict
with the Constitution, but will certain
| ~, II carried out, produce immediate
and irreparable injury to the organic
structure of the Governments; and If
there be neither judicial remedy for tile
wrongs it inflicts, nor power In the
people to project themselves without
the official adof their elected defender,
If, tor instance, the Legislative depart
ment should pass an act, even through
all the forms of law, to abolish a CO.
ordinate department of the Govern
ment, in such a case the President mnst
tade the high responsibilities of his
Office, and save the life of the nation at
all hazards, -ra-,sH -.--s
The so-called reconstruction acts, though
as plainly unconstitutional as any that can
ne imagined, are not believed by him to be
within the class last mentioned The people
We're not wholly disarmed of the power of
self-deienee. In all the Northern States they
sllll held in their hands the sacred right of
lhe ballot, and it was safe TO believe that in
que tilne they would come to the rescue of
tneir own constitutions. 1t gives him pleas
ure 10 add that the appeal TO common con-
Stltueneies was not taken in VAIN, and that
ms confidence in their wisdom and virtue
seems not to have been misplaced.
The President next calls attention to the
enormous frauds which has been perpetrated
and discussing the vast sums required by the
public expenses has been much disorganized
py the tenure of Office bill, which has almost
destroyed official accountability. The Pres
ldent next refers at length to the finances
ana currency, and advocates a restoration of
inc currency to the standard established by
the Constitution. He alludes to the report
OF lhe Secretary of the Treasury, as setting
forth ably and instructively the condition
OF our finances and the ,operations 81 our
revenue SYSTEM A thorough revision of the
ana such an adjustment of the internal rev.
enue laws and import system as to bear most
heavily on articles of luxury, leaving the ne
ceSSar1eS of life as free from taxation as NAV
be consistent with the real wants of the COW
ernment, The President next makes refer
ence to tile reports of the War, Interior. NAVY
anu FoStolhee Departments, and the remain
ger OF the message is devoted to foreign af-
ia1rs and territorial extension, including the
late acquisition from Russia, and q treaty
when mas been concluded with Denmark,
ana VIII be submitted to the Senate for con-
sideration, for the cession of the islands of
ST. Thomas and st. Johns.
g IN reference to naturalized citizens.
it is stated that the annexation of MANY
small German States to Prussia, and
the reorganization of that country I'M
der "a new and liberal constitution, have 1
induced the President to renew the eff |
fort to obtain just and prompt settle |
ment OF. the long-veXed question con-
corning the claims of foreign States for |
service from their subjects
naturalized in the United States. In
connection with this subject, the atten-
ton of Congress is called to the conflict
OF laws between Great Britain and the |
united States concerning the rights of
naturalised citizens, the courts Of Great
Britain holding that allegiance to the
British crown is ndefeaslble, whilst
the Executive Department. of the Uni
ted States holds that naturalization abb
solves the recipient from his native al
egiance. The President has hereto
ore called attention to this subject, and
ne again appeals to Congress to declare
he national will Enthusiastically upon |
his important, question. The Presi-
lent concludes by suggestion whether
he African slave trade from American
,orts Sliaving ceased, a proposition
hould not be made to the British gov
for discontinuance of the
for maintaining a joint
laval force fol. the. suppression Of that
rade. lro- rfs9 7l 0t Fa1,