Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-12-17
PREsTpENT,s MEssAeE.
RECONSTRUCTION.


axiom IN the government of States
that the greatest wrongs inflicted
upon a people are caused by an un
just and arbitrary legislation, or BY
the unrelenting DEGREES of despotiC
rulers, and that the timely revoca
tiOn of injurious and oppressive
measures is the greatest good thai
can be conferred upon d nation. =
The legislator or the ruler who has
the wisdom and magnanimity to re
trace his steps when convinced OF
error, will sooner later bereward
ed with the respect and gratitude OF
an intelligent and patriotic people.
Our own history, although embrac-
ing period less than century, af-
fords abundant proof that most il
not all Of our domestic troubles are
directly traceabl, to violations OF
the organic law and to excessive
legislation. Tie most striking H.
lustrations of this fact are furnished
BY the enactments of the past three
years upon the question of recon.
structiOn. After fair trial they
have substantially failed, and,prov.
ed pernicious in their results, and
there seems to be no good reason
why they should remain longer UP,
on the statute book. States, to
which the Constitution guarantees
a republican form of government,
have been reduced to military de-
pendencies, in each of which the
people have been made subject to
the arbitrary will of the command
ing General.
Although the Constitution re-
quires that each State shall be rcp-
resented in Congress, Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas are yet exclu.
ded from the two houses, and con.
trary to the express provisions of
that instrument, were denied partic
ipation In the recent election for
President and Vice President of the
United States.
The attempt to place the white
population under the domination Of
persons Of color in the South, has
impaired, If not entirely destroyed |
the kindly relations that had previ.
ously existed between them, and
mutual distrust has engendered feel
ings Of animosity, which, leading in
some instances to collision and
bloodshed, has prevented that CO.
operation between the two races so
essential to the success ofindustriaI
enterprises In the Southern States.
Nor have the inhabitants of those
States alone suffered from the dis.
turbed condition of affairs growing
out Of these Congressional enact.
ments. The entire Union has been
agitated by grave approximations of
troubles which might again involve
the peace Of the Nation. Its inter.
ests have been injuriously affected
by the arrangement of business and
labor, and the consequent want Of
prosperity throughout that portion
Of the country. The Federal Con
stitution, the magma chartd Of
American rights, under whose wise
and salntary provisions We have
successfully conducted all our do.
mestiC and foreign affairs, sustained
ourselves in peace and in war, and
become a great nation among the
powers Of the earth, must assuredly
now bO adequate to the settlement ,
Of the questions growing out of the
Oivil war, which was waged alOnc
for its vindication.
This great fact is made most man.
fest by the condition of the coun-
Try when Congress assembled in the /
month Of December, 1865. Civil i
strife had ceased, the spirit of re- '
)ellion had spent its entire force in +
he Southern States, the people had t
Warmed into national life, and k
throughout the whole country a G
Healthy reaction In public sentiment d
lad taken place BY the applica. n
ion Of the simple, yet effective pro ii
'iSions of the Constitution, the FIX. O.
'cutiYe Department, with the volun- b
airy aid Of the States, had brought N
he work Of restoration as near
completion as was within the scope
fits authority, and the nation was S'
pcouraged by the prospect Of an pI
arly and satisfactory adjustment b,
4 all It's difficulties. Congress, a,
IowevoT, interycned, and, refusing =
2 perfect the work so nearly con, ~
ummated, declined to admit mem OF
'ers from the unrepresentcd States "
dopted a series of measures which ht
rrested the progress ofrestoration, n,
all that had been so sue =
esafully accomplished, and, after,
hree years Of agitation and strife
as left the country further from Vi
ne attainment Of union and frater. 80
.al feeling than at the inception of
he Congressional plan of recon. WI
tructlon, 1t needs no argument B,
0 show that legislation which has tn
reduced such baneful cor sequences al
hould bc abrogatcd, or else be re
made to conform to the genuine l.,
principles OF republican govern, es
nent. Under the influence ofparty m
'aasiOn and sectional prejudice, 9th. I'll
raets have been passed not war. ~
anted by the Constitution. 81
TExURE or OFFICE BILL. :,
Congress has already been made ei
amiliaF with my views respecting II
he Tenure-of 0llce Bill. Experi q
neo has proved that its repeal Is ii
emanded by the best interests Of &
be country, and that, while It re- cl
rains In force, the President can. n,
q