Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-12-18
8cofoto enquirer.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Delivered at the commencement OF the
Second Regular Session OF the
FOFtIeth Congress.

4 Lettotp- tHt<cHS Y btc GcAtttt tt3iU HOltSe Cl
Representatives -
Upon the re-asscmbhng of Congress, it
again becomes my duty to call your atten-
tion to the state OF the Union, and to its
| continued disorganized condition under the
various laws which have been passed upon
the subject Of reconstruction.
1t may be safely assumed, as an axiom in
the government Of States, that the greatest
wrongs inflicted upon a people are caused
by unjust and arbitrary legislation, or by
the unrelenting decrees Of despotic rulers,
and that the timely revocation Of injurious
and oppressive measures Is the greatest
good that eau be conferred upon the nation
The legislator or ruler who has the wisdom
and magnanimliy to retrace his steps, when
convinced of error, Will sooner or later be
rewarded with the respect aud gratitude of
an intelligent and patriotic people
Our own hIstory--although embracing a
period less than a century-affords abund-
ant proof that most, If not ALL Of cur do
mestic troubles, are directly traceabIe to Vi
olati0ns of the organic law and excessive
legislation. The most striking Illustrations
Of this fact are furnished by the enactments
Of the past three years upon the question
of reconstruction After fair trial they
have substantially failed and proved perui
cious In their results, and there seems to be
no good reason why they should longer re-
main upon the statute book. States to
which the Constitution guarantees repub
lican form OF government have been reduced
TO military dependencies, in each of which
the people have been made subject to the
arbitrary viii of the commanding general.
Although the Constitution requires that
each ) ate shall be represented in Congress,
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas are yet ex-
Guided from the two Houses, and contrary
to the express provisions of that instru-
ment, were denied participation in the re-
cent election for President and Vice PFesi-
dent for the United States The attempt
TO place the white population under the
domination Of persons of color in the South
has impaired, ii not destroyed, the kindly
relations that had previously existed be-
tween them and mutual distrust has engeu-
dered a feeling of auimGsity which, leading
in some instances to collision and bl00l-hed,
has prevented that co operation between the
two races so essential to the success Of in
dustral enterprises in the Southern States.
Nor have the inhabitants OF those States
alone suffered from the disturbed condition
Of affairs growing out Of these Congressional
enactments. The entire Union has been ag-
itated by grave appTehenSioUs Of troubles
which might again involve the peace Of the
nation; It's interests have been iujuriously
affected by the arrangement of business and
labor and the consequent want Of prosper
ity throughout that portion of the country.
The Federal Constitution-the magma
charter Of American rights, under whose
wise and salutary provisions we have sue
cessiully conducted all our domestic and for
eign affairs, sustained ourselves in peace and
in war, and become a great nation among
the powers of the eaTth-must assuredly be
nOw adequate TO the settlement Of questions
growing out of the civil war waced alone for
its vindication. This great fact IS made
most manifest by the condition of the coun-
try when Congress assembled in the month
Of Deeembcr l5d5. Civil strife had ceased,
the spirit of rebellion had spent its entire
force; In the Southern States the people had
warmed into national life, aud throughout
the whole country a healthy re action IN
public sentiment had taken place. By the
application of the simple set effective pro
visions Of the Constitution, the Executive
department, with the voluntary aid of the
States had brought the work of restoration
as near conn mpleti0n as was within the scope
of its authority, and the nation was encour-
aged by the prospect Of an early and salts
factory adjustment Of all Its djf6cultes
Congress, however, interviewed and, refusing
to perfect the work so nearly consummated,
declined to admit members from the uBrep-
resented States, adopted a series of measures
which arrested the progress Of restoration,
frustrated all that had been so successfully
accomplished, and, after three years Of agi-
tation and strife, has left the country farther
from the attainment Of union and traternal
feeling than at the inception Of the congress
sOual plan Of reconstruction. Itneeds no
argument to show that legislation which has
produced such baneful consequences should
be abroqated or else made 70 conform to
the genuine principles OF republican govern
ment
Under the influence Of party passion and
sectional prejudice, other acts have been
passed not warranted by he Constitution.
Congress has already been made familiar
with my views respecting the tenure OF Of
fee bill. Experience has proved that its
repeal is demanded by the best interests Of
the country, and that while It remains in
force the President cannot enioin that rigid
accountability of public officers so essential
to an honest and efficient execution Of the
laws. Its revocation would enable the Ex-
ecutive Department to exercise the power Of
I
with the original design of the Federal Con-
stitution.
The act Of March >, 1867, making appro-
priations for the support of the army tor the
year ending June 30, 1865 and fer other
purposes. contains provisions which inter
fere with the Presidents constitutional
functions as commandcrin ia chief Of the ar
nv, and deny to States of the Union the
right to protect themselves by means of
their own militia. These provisions should
! be at once annulled; for while the first might
in times Of great emergency, seriously EN-
barrass the Executive IN Efforts to employ
and direct the common strength OF the ua-
( tion for its protection and preservation, the
/ other is contrary 10 the express declaratQn
/ of the Constitution, that a well regulated
1 militia being necessary to the security Of a
I free State, the right of the people to keep
and bear arms shall not be iBfringei
It is believed that the repeal OF all such
laws would be accepted by the American
1 People as at least a partial return to the
I fundamental principles Of the Government,
! and an indication that hereafter the Consti-
| tuition is to be made the Nation safe and
unerriug guide They can be productive OF
no permanent benefit to the country, and
I should not be permitted to stand as SO many
monuments of the deficient wisdom which
has characterized our recent legislation.
| The condition ofour finances demands the
! early and earnest consideration of Congress.
/ Compared with the growth Of our popula-
ton, the public expenditures have reached
an amount Unprecedented in our history,
/ The population of the United States in
| 1890 was nearly four millions of people In
( creasiug each decade about thirty three per
cent. it reached in 1860 thirty one millions
an increase Of seven hundred per cent. on
the population in 1890 In 1859 it is esti-
mated that it will reach thirty eight millions,
or an increase Of eight hundred and sixty
eight per cent. in seventy nine years.
The annual expenditures Of the Federal
| Government in 1871 were four million two
1 hundred thousand dollars; in 1920, eighteen
million two hundred thousand dollars; in
! 1860. forty-one millions; in 1860, sixty-three