The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-12-10
ANNUAL MESSAGE or
THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED
STATES.

FELLOW CITIZENS uF THE SENATE !
AND Housg OF REPRESENTATIVE RS
Upon the reassembling of Cong ress,
it again becomes my duty to call |
your attention to the state of the |
union, and to its continued disorgan-
lied condition under the various
laws which havo been passed upon
the subject of reconstruction.
1t may be safely assumed as an
axiom IN the government of states,
that the greater wrongs indicted
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-
ton of injuries and oppressive meas
m'es is the greatest good that can be
conferred upon nation. The leg
islator or ruler who has the wisdom
and magnanimity to, retrace his
3 cps when convinced Of error will
sooner or later be regarded with the
respect and gratitude of an intelli
gent and patriotic people, Our own
history, although embracing pert
cd less than q century, affords abun-
proof that most, if not all, of
our domestic troubles are directly
traceable to violations of the organic
law and excessive legislation.
RECoNsTRUcTiN.
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
tailed, and proved pcrnicious in their
results; and there seems to be no
good reason why they should longer
remain upon the statute book
States to which the constitution
guarantees a republican form of gov
eminent have been reduced to mill
tary dependence, and in each of
which the people have been made
subject to the arbitrary will of the
commanding general. Although the
constitution requires that each state
shall be represented in congress,
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas are
yet excluded from the two houses,
and, contrary to the express provis.
ions of that instrument, were denied
participation 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 no,
destroyed, the kindly relations tina,
had previously existed between
them, and mutual distrust has en-
Igeudered feeling of animosity
which, leading in some instances t
collision and bloodshed, has prevent
ed that corporation between thu
two races so essential to the success.
of industrial enterprises in tn,
southern states
l Nor have the inhabitants of thos,
states alone suffered from the dis
turbed condition of affairs CROWN.
out Of the congressional enactments
l The entire union has been agitatet
| by grave apprehensions of trouble
/ which might again involve the peac
of the nation. Its interests hav
been injuriously affected by the de
rangement of business and labor
and the consequent want of pros
perity throughout that portion @
the country. The federal constitu
ton, the Magma Charta of American
rights, under whose wise and saluta
Try provisions we have successful,
conducted all our domestic and for
eign affairs, sustained ourselves ii
peace and in war, and become
great nation among the powers q
the earth, must assuredly be now nd
equate to the settlement of the ques
tons growing out of civil wa
waged alone for its vindication.
| This great fact is made most mani
fest by the condition of the country
When congress assembled in th
month of December, 1865, civil strif
nad ceased; the spirit of rebelllo,
had spent its entire force, and in tn
southern states, the people ha,
warmed into national life, and
throughout the whole country,
healthy reaction in public sentimen
had taken place. By the application
of the simple, yet effective, provis
| ions of the constitution, the execu
live department, with the volunt 7,
aid of the states, had brought abou
the work Of restoration as near com
pletion as was within the scope .
it's authority; and the nation was en-
courased by the prospect of an earl,
and satisfactory adjustment of all it
difficulties. Congress, however, in
tervened, and refusing to perfect tn,
work SO nearly consummated, declin
ed to admit members from the unrep
resented states; adopted series o
measures which arrested the prog
ress of restoration, frustrated al
that had been so successfully accom-
| plished, and, after three years of agi
tation and strife, has left the country
farther from the attainment of un
ion and fraternal feeling than at tn,
inception of the congressional plar
OF reconstruction. 1t needs no argu
ment to show that the Legislation
which has produced such banefu
consequences should be abrogated, OF
else made to conform to the genuin,
principles of a republican govern
ment.
OTHER UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTS.
Under the influences of party pas
sions and sectional prejudices, Other
acts have beed passed, not warranted
by the constitution.
Congress has already been made ia
milliar with my views respecting the
tenu' e.of Office bill. Experience ha.
proved that its repeal is demanded
by the best interests of the country
and that while it remains in force
the president cannot enjoin that rig
id accountability of public officers So
essential to an honest and efficient
execution of the laws. Its revoca-
ton would enable the executive de-
partment to exercise the power OF
appointment and removal in accor-
dance with the original designs of
the federal constitution.
The act of March 2, 1867, making
appropriations for the support of the
army for the year ending juno 80,
1868, and for other purposes, contains
provisions which interfere with the