New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Upon the reassembling of Congress, it again
becomes duty to call your attention TO the state OF
the Unon and to its continued dsorganized condition
under the various laws which have been passed upon the
subject OF Reconstruction.
hmay be safely assumed axiom in the govern
ment Of States that the greatest wrongs inflicted upon
people are caused by unjust and arbitrary legislation
by the unreentng DEGREES Of despotc rulers and
the timely revocation Of injurious and oppressive meas,
ures Is the greatest good that be conferred rpon
ton The legislator or ruler who has the wisdom and
magnalhy 10 retraee his steps, when convinced Of
r0r. viii sooner or later be rewarded with the respect
and gratitude OF an intelligent and patriotic people
Our own hstOry-although embracing a period less
than century-affords abundant proof that most il not
all Of domestic troubles directly traceabe to yo-
atOns Of the organic law and excessive legislation The
most striking illustrations Of this fact furnished by
the enactmeDts Of the past three years upon the ques
ton OF Reconstruction. After fair trial. they have sub
santay failed and proved pernicous In their results
and there seems to be no good why they should
longer remain upon the statutebOok States TO which
the Constitution guarantees republican form OF govern
ment have been reduced TO military dependencies In each
which the people have been made subject To the arDtr
ny will Of the Commanding General Although theConstltu'
ues that each State shall be represented In Con-
gres Virginia Mississippi and Texas excluded from
the Houses contrary to the express provisions OF
that instrument, denied participation In the recent
election for President and VicePfesdent Of the United
States. The attempt to place the white population
impaired II not destroyed. the kindly relations that had
previously existed between them; and mutual dstrnst
has engendered feeling Of anmosty which, leading In
instances to collision and bloodshed has prevented
that cooperation between the two essential TO
the Of industrial enterprises in the Southern
States Nor have the inhabitants OF those States alone
suffered from the disturbed condition of affairs growing
out of these enactment The entire Union
has been agated by grave approximations of troubles
which might again involve the peace OF the nation; It's
interests have been inuousy affected by the derange-
ment a business and labor and the consequent want OF
prosperity throughout that portion Of the country.
The Federal Consttuon-the magma chdrtd Of Ameri-
rights under whose wise and sau,ary provisions We
have successfully conducted all domestic aud foreign
affairs sustained ourselves in peace and in and be-
come q great nation among the Powers Of the earth
must assuredly be adequate to the settlement OF
questions growing of the civil waged alone for its
vindcaton. This great fact is made most manifest by
condition the country when Congress assembled Ia
the month of December. 1865 Civil strife had ceased
the spirit of rebellion had spent its entire force in the
Southern States the people had warmed into national
lfe and throughout the whole country healthy reaction
in public sentiment had taken place. BY the application
OF the simple yet effective provisions OF the Constitution,
Executive Department with the voluntary ad OF tho
States had brought the work OF restoration as near COM
pleon within the scope OF its authority, and the
nation was encouraged by the prospect OF early aud
satisfactory adjustment Of all its difficulties Congress,
however interviewed and refusing to perfect the work so
nearly consummated, declined admit members from
the nrepresented States adopted series OF measures
which arrested progress Of restoration frustrated all
that had been successfully accomplished. and after
three years Of agitation and strife has left the country
farther from the attainment of union and raerna feel
ing than the inception Of the Congressional plan OF e
construction 1t needs argument 10 show that egisa-
ton which has produced such baneful consequences
should be abrOgated else made 10 conform TO the gen
uine principles OF republican government.
Under the influence OF party passion and sectional
prejudice other have been passed not warranted by
the Constitution. Congress has already heen familiar
with my views respecting the tenure of Office bill" Ex-
perience has proved that its repeal Is demanded by the
OF the country and that while II remains in
force the President cannot enoin that rg accOuDtab
y Of public officers essential to an honest and efficient
execution OF the laws. Its revocation would enable the
Executive Department exercise the power OF appoint
ment and removal In accordance with the original design
the Federal Constitution.
The act of March 1867 making appropriations for the
support of the army for the year ending June 1863 ard
for other purposes contains provisions which interfere
with the Presidents constitutional functions
of the army, and deny to States OF the
Union the right to protect themselves by OF their
militia. These provisions should be at aDnued
for while the first might in times OF great emergency,
seriously ombarrass the Executive in efforts employ
and direct the common strength OF the nation for its pro-
lection and preservation, the other contrary the
press declaration Of the Constitution, that "a we'll
regulated militia being necessary to the security OF free
State the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall
not be nfrnged"
1t is believed that the repeal Of all such laws would he
accepted by the American People least partial re-
turn TO the fundamental principles OF the Government
and an indication hereafter the Constitution is to he
made the nations safe and unerring guide They can be
productive OF 10 permanent benefit to the country, and
should not be permitted TO stand as SO many monu'
ments of the deficient wisdom which has characterized
our recent legislation.
The condition OF our finances demands the early and
consideration Of Congress Compared with the
growth OF our population the public expenditures have
reached an amount unprecedented in our history.
The population OF the United States in 1870 was nearly
600 OF people Increasing each decade about 80 per
cent IL reached in $780, increase OF 100
cent the population in $780, In 1869 Is estimated thai
II Will reach g. 100000 or an increase Of sos per cent IN
70 years.
The annual expenditures OF the Federal Government
in 1921 were 100000; in 1920, $ls2OOOOo; in $780,
Sal in 1860 100000 in 1865, nearly sl5OOOcccO
and I'm 1869 IL Is estimated 10y the Secretary OF the Treas
ury III last annual reportthat they Will be sJ2coo
BY comparing the public disbursements OF 1862 as est
mated with those OF 79 1t will be that the increase
OF expenditure the beginning Of the Government
has been 6s per centum. while the increase OF the popu
lation for the same period only S6s per centum.
Again the expenses OF tine Government in 1862 the year
OF peace Immediately preceding the war, were only
100000 while in 1862 the year Of peace three years
after the war; It estimated they will be s3T2ooOoo-an
increase OF per centum while the increase OF popua
ton was only 81 per centum for the same Period.
These statistics further show that In 1871 the ahnuai
national expenses, compared with the population were
little more than o. per capita and In 1862 put Upef
CAPITA while In 1869 they will reach the eAuaVagant
sum OF s. 70 per capita.
II will be observed that all Of these statements referto
and exhibit the dsbursementso peace periods II may
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