The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-12-25
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

ton under the various laws which
have been passed upon the subject OF
reconstruction. It may be safely as
sumed, as an axiom in the govern
ment of States, that thegreatest wrongs
inflicted upon people are caused by
unjust and arbitrary legislation, or by
the unrelenting DEGREES of despotic rub
ers. and that the timely revocation Of
friHrious and oppressive measures is
the greatest good that can be conferred
upon nation. The legislator or ruler
who has the wisdom and magnanimi-
ty to retrace his steps, when convinced
Of error, will sooner or later be reward
cd with the respect and gratitude Of an
intelligent and patriotic people.
Our own history although embra-
cing a period less than century-af-
fords abundant proof that most, if not
all OF our domestic troubles are direct
ly traceable to violations of the organ
ic 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 a fair trial, they
have substantially failed and proved
perniciOus in their results, and there
seems to be no good reason why they
should longer remain upon the statute
book States to which the COnstitu
ti0n guarantees . republican form OF
government have been reduced to mili-
tary 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 state shall be repre-
sentyd in Congress, Virginia, Missis-
SiDpi, and Texas are vet excluded from
the two Houses, and contrary 10 the
express provisions of that instrument,
were denied participation In the recent
election for Il President and Nlce-Pre~l-
dent Of the United States. The attempt
to place the white population under
the dominion Of persons of color in the
South has impaired, if not destroyed,
the kindly relations that had pTevi-
ousIy existed between them and ma
tual distruSt has eUgcHdered a feeling
Of anim0sity which, leading liz some
instances TO collision and DloOd>hed,
has prevented that cooperation De-
tween the tWO races, so essential TO the
success OF industrial enterprises IN the
Southern States. Nor have the inhabi-
tauts Of those States alone suffered
from the disturbed condition of affairs
growing out Of these Congressional en-
actments. The entire Union has been
agitated by grave appTehensions of
troubles which might again involve
the peace of the nation; It's Interests
have been injuTiously affected by the
arrangement of business and labo", and
the consequent want Of prosperity
throughout that portion OF the c0un-
try. The Federal C0nstitutiOu-the
uucH1 chuFf0 Of American rights, un-
der whose wise and salutary proyis-
ions we have successfully conducted all
our domestic and foreign affairs, sus-
tanned ourselves in peace and in war,
and become a great nation among the
Powers of the eaTth-must aSsurediy
be now adequate to The settlement Of
questions growing out Of the civil war
Eaged alone for its vindicatiDn. This
Great fact j. made most manifest by
the condition Of the country when
Congress assembled in the month Of
December. 1860. Civil strife had Ceas-
cd ; the spirit of rebellion had spent its
entire force; in the Southern States
the people had warmed into national
life, and throughout the whole cOuH-
try Il healthy reaction in public senti-
ment had taken place. BY the aPpii-
cation of the simple yet effective pro-
visions Of the Constitution, the EXecu-
tive Department, with the voluntary
aid Of the States, haj brought the work
Of restoration as near completion as
was within the scope of its authority,
and the nation was encouraged by the
prospect of AN early and satisfactory
a tiu,tnent of all its difficulties. Con-
gTe>-. however, interviewed, and, re-
fu-Iug To perfect the work So nearly
cJusUHmateG. declined to admit MEM
bcrs from the uuTepresented States, .
adopted a series Of measures which ar /
rested the progress Of restoration, truS- /
Grated all tina. had been 50 successfully /
and, after three years Of /
agitation aud strife, has left the cOun- /
try farther from the attainment of u
Mon and fraternal feeling than at the /
inception Of the Congressional plan of /
reconstruction. 1t needs no argument !
10 show that legislation which has pro- I.
duced such hanetul consequence should /
be abrOgated, or else made 10 conform /
to the genuine principles OF republican f.
Under the influence Of party passion /
and sectional prejudice, other acts have .
been passed not warranted by the Con /
stiJutjou. Congress has already been +
made familiar with nay views respect /
ing the ''teuure Of office bill" EXpe- /.
ricucc has proved that its repeal is de- /
mauded by the best interests Of the .
country. and that while it remains in .
force the President cannot enjOiE that /
rigid accountability Of public officers 4
sn essential to an honest and efficient .
execution Of the laws. It's revocation /
would enable the Executive Depart /
mrnt to exercise the power Of appoint .
mtnt and removal in accordance with /
the original design Of the Federal Con
stj-UtiOn.
The act Of March ,, 1867, making ap- /
preparations for the support Of the ar .
my for the year ending June 30, 1868, /
and for other purposes, contains pro- /
visions which interfere with the Presi /
dents constitutional functions as com |
of the army, and de- /
ny 10 States Of the Union the right TO /
project themselves by means OF their (
own militia. These provisions should /
b. at once annuiled for while the first /
might, in times of great emergency, /
embarrass the Executive in /
efforts 10 employ and direct the COM I.
mon strength Of the nation for its pro- !
lection and preservation, the other IS +
contrary to the express declaration Of /
the Constitution, that "a Well-regula- I
ted militia being necessary to the Sc /
curity Of free State, the right Of the f.
people to keep and bear arms shall not /
be infringed." 1t is believed that the (
repeal of all such laws would be accept /
ld by the American people a. at least
a partial return to the fundamental +
of the government; and an
Indication that hereafter the COn5titu-
ton is to be made the nations safe and
uuerring guide. They can be produc-
i've of no permanent benefit to the
country, and should not be permitted
IN .ffnl a N 1nnnN Iftllnflfs Of the