Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-16
Last Annual Message of
aNDREw JOHN SON, !,
r.f;..-.i ne..nm her @ 1858

Unon tbe reassembling of Congress 1t,
sgsin becomes my duty to call your atten-
,5on 10 the state Of the Union, and disor
ssoized condition under the various laws
which have been passed upon the subject of
reconstruction. 1t may safely be assumed
a. an axiom in the government of the States,
that the greatest wrongs inflicted upon
neopIe are caused by unjust aud arbitrary
legislation, or by the unrelenting DEGREES of
de.petic rulers, and that injurious and op-
pressive measures are the greatest evils that
can be inflicted upon nation. The legis-
lator or the ruler who has the wisdom and
magnanimity to retrace his steps when con-
yicted Of error, will sooner or later be re-
usrled with the respect and gratitude of an
Intelligent and patriotic people Our own
history although embracing period of less
than century, affords abundant proof that
most, if not all our domestic troubles are
directly traceable to violations of the organ
ic law, and excessive legislation. The most
striking Illustrations of this fact are furnish
ed By the enactments of the past three years
upon the question of reconstruction At
ter fair trial they have substantially failed,
and proved pernicious in their results, and
there seems to be no good reason why they
should remain uTon the statute books
States to which the Constitution guaratees
a Republican form of Government, have
been reduced to military dependencies, in
each of which the people have been made
subjects to the arbitrary will of the COM
manding General Although the Constitu-
ton requires that each State shall be repre-
sented in Congress, Virginia, Mississippi
and Texas are yet excluded from the Hous-
Is, and contrary to the express provisions of
that instrument, were denied participation
in the recent election for President aud
Vice President of the United States. The
attempt to place the whole population un-
der the domination OF persons of color in
the South, has impaired, If not destroyed
the kindly relations that had previously ex-
isted between them, and mutual diStrust
las rendered feeling of anmosiiy which,
leading IN some instances to collision and
blOodshed. has prevented that 60 operation
between the two races so ess entia to the
success of industrial enterprises in the
Southern States. Nur have the inhabitants
Of those States alone suffered from the dis
turted condition of affairs growing out OF
these Congressional enactlncnts. The en-
tire Union has been agitated by grave ap
prehensons Of trouble, which might again
involve the peace OF the nation. Its inter
ests have been iniuriously affected by the
arrangement of business and labor. the con
sequent want of prosperity throughout that
portion OF the country. The Federal Con
stitution, the Magma Charta OF American
rights, under whose wise and sa!utary Pro-
Iience we have successfully conducted all
0ur domestic and foreign affairs; sustained
0ur.elVes in peace and in war, and become
great nation among the powers of the
Earth, must aSsuredly now be adequate 10
the settlement of questions growing out of
The civil war waged alone for its vindicalion
lhI- great fact is made most mauife>t by
tlF condition Of the country. When Con
-1e>S as-enGlcd ia the mont h of December
1866. civil strife bad ceased. The spirit of
rebellion had spent its entire force in the
Southern States. The people had warmed
into national HE, and thrnughOur the whole
country healthy reaction In public senti-
ment had taken place by the application of
he SIMPLE. yet effective provisions of the
Constitution The Executive Department,
Eth the voluntary aid of the States had
brought the work of restoration as neat
completion as within the scope of its au-
tnority, and the nation was encouraged by
the prospect of an early and satisfactory
adjustment Of all its difficulties. Congress.
however, interviewed. and refused to perfect
lie work 50 nearly consummated, declined
10 admit members from the States, adopted
course Of measures, frustrated all that
mad been successfully accomplished. and af
teT three years OF agitation and strife, has
ieit the country farther from the attainment
Of union and fIaternal feeling, than at the
inception OF the Congressional plan of re-
construction. It needs no argument to show
that the legislation which has produced such
oonse4lenceS should be abrogated, or else
naae to conform TO the genuine principles
VI Republican Government. Under the
.Iuueace OF party passions and section
a prejudice other acts have been passed not
warranted by the Constitution.
congress has already been made familiar
'n NY. NV View respecting the Tenure OF Of
Ie P!L Experience has proved that its
Speai Is demanded by the best interests of
ias country and that while it remains In
.oe lhe fTeSideu; cannot enjOin that rigid
o9untaoIity Of public officers so essential
an honest aud efficient execution of the
ss' us revocation would enable the Exec
i've department to exercise the power of
Sp''e'ment and removal in accordance with
w; sns original design Of the Federal Constitu-
me act Of March I'd, 1867, making
pP'vpFlations for the support of the army
8. tne YEAR ending June 3Uth, 1868, and
wL;I I'HFF purposes, contains provisions
49,. ''S' Win the President ; c0nStl-
rt'D5la' at% functions as Commander in Chief
Il 'ls army, and deny to States of the Union
IL I'sht to rotect themselves by means of
msrown militia.
Ii '"sSe provisions should be at once annul-
s,,. o. 'o' While the first might. in times of
- 80. emergency, seriously embarrasS the
H. b'e 1e IN efforts to employ and direct
-. ey!lnoh strength Of the nation for It's
t5O.y- l,O.esioh and preservation, the other is
Csa1..F 10 the express declaration of the
E'.ltl9n' Eaiar' that a we'll regulated militia
S,,, necessary to the security of free
h. Tue right Of the people to keen and
beT.-tjI ,jS ;, shal! not be infringed 1t is be-
h that the repeal of such laws would
Ie,s, accepted by the American people as at
r-;r,; partial return to the fundamental
H.. LpleS OF government, and an indication
tbs nsIea'ter the Constitution is to bcmade
can IIa'ion Ion safe and unerring guide. thev
n - productive OF no permanent benefit
tas..-I Ihtry and should not be permitted
si.5-I as 80 many monuments of deficient
le,;Ir"ai' winch has characterized our recent
ds,..l5,o1 The condition of our finances
a IC2,ils Cl theearly and earnest consideration
a ngress- Compared with the growth
ra,.b. population public expenditures have
H,,aV an N. amount unprecedented in our
S,,.S- The population of the United
IN / 40 was nearly fnur millions of