The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-12-17
Presidents S Message.

tbe state of the Union, and dlsOrganlZed
Htion under the various laws which have
passed upon the subject of reconstruc-
It may be safely assumed as an ak
in the government of the States, that
greatest wrongs inflicted upon the people
caused by unjust and arbitrary legisla-
or by the unrelenting DEGREES of des-
rulers. and that injurious and oppres-
measures are the greatest evils that can
Inflicted upon nation The legislator
he ruler who has the wisdom and mag
Unity to retrace his steps when convinced
error. will sooner or later be rewarded
the respect and gratitude of an intelli-
taud patriotic people. Our own history,
Ough embracing period Of less than
ury. affords abundant proof that most,
ot all our domestic troubles are directly
eable to violations of the organic law,
excessive legislation.
RECONSTRUCTION LAWS SHOULD BE RE-
PEALED.
fhe most striking Illustrations of the fact
n furnished by the enactments OF the
N three years upon the question of re-
tructiou. After fair trial they have
8antially failed and proved pernicious
ir results, and there seems TO be no
reason why they should longer remain
the statute books. States to which
Constitution guarantees a republican
of Government, have been reduced to
tary dependencies, in each of which the
pie have been made subjects to the arbi-
ry will of the commanding general. Al
*ugh the Constitution requires that each
Hts shall be represented in Congress-, Vir-
IA, Mississippi and Texas are yet exclud-
#trom the Houses, and contrary to the ex
Is provisions of that instrument, were
lied participation in the recent election
President and Vice President of the
lied States. The attempt to place the
he population under the domination of
sops Of color in the South, has impaired
ot DESTROYED the kindly relations that
previously existed between them, and
8ral distrust has engendered feeling of
mostly which, leading in some instances
|coIlisCn and bloodshed, has prevented
cooperation between the two races so
Futal to the success of industrial enter
Ees 10 the Southern States. Nor have the
Babitauts OF those States alone suffered
n the disturbed condition of affairs grow
ont of t5fse Congressional enactments.
eutire q ION has been agitated by grave
krehensi0ns of trouble, which might
i'm involve the peace of the nation. Its
erests have been injuriously affected by
derlzgsment of business and labor. the
e7gsnt want of prosperity throughout
R0rtiou of the country.
n Federal Constitution, the MagLa
ia of American rights, under whose
and salutary provisions we have sue
hlly conducted all our domestic and for
aGars sustained ourselves in peace
In war, and became a great nation
yng the powers of the earth, must as
lily now be adequate to the settlement
bl questions growing out of the civil
wagei alone for its vindicated. This
lt act is made most manifest by the con-
N Of the country. When Congress as
bed in the month of December, 1866,
strife had ceased. The spirit of rebel
had spent its entire force in the South
States. The people had warmed into
ona life, and throughout the whole
ntry healthy reaction in public senti-
had taken place by the application of
simple, yet effective provisions of the
Sltution. The Executive Department,
the voluntary aid of the States, had
lght the work of restoration as near
lletlon as was within the scope of its
horlty, and the nation was encouraged
The prospect of an early and satisfactory
Stment Of all its diff culties, Congress,
EofeVeI' lnJervened, and refusing to perfect
~ "otA so nearly conSummated, declined
ruIn'' members from the States, adopted
sDuise oi measures, iustrating all that had
successfully accomplished, and, after
r. years OF agitation and strife has left
OunCry farther from the attainment Of
a ana iraternaI feeling than at the in
'l o me Congressional plan Of recon-
UUn' 1t needs no argument to show
'ne legislation which has produced
cnsequances should be abrogated, or
made to conform to the genuine princi-
Republican Government. Under the
'1ce Of party passions and sectional
'Ice other acts have been passed not
'lIe1 by the Constitution.
THE TESURE-oF OFFICE BILL
IsTeS5 has already been made familiar
my views respecting the tenure-of-office
Experience has proven that its repeal
sIanded by the best interests of the
NY, and that while it remains in force
resident cannot enloinr that rigid ac-
-@iOuAty of public officers so essential
honest and efficient execution of the
i,S revocation would enable the Execu>
epartment to exercise the power of
"I'nent u and removal in accordance
r,;t .ue original design Of the Federal Con-
'AASiDFNT AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
n,;,g act of March %, 1867, making ap-
s.Vas vsa. Tor the support of the army for
!, ending June 3Oth, 1868, and for
lris!. !p.mP9Ses, contains provisions which
efa ~ with the Presidents constitutional
,1I J' as Oommander-in-chief of the ar
10 ueny to States of the Union the
tia project themselves with their own
LuIe5 I'eSe PROVISIONS should be at once
creat .l iof While the first might. in times
Ecutivo ooIiierSency, seriously embarrass the
c0mrooU comm u Efforts to employ and direct
Et.ctioro t-,oa strength of the nation for its
|rsrv - aGd Preservation, the other is
kst,1,;oo. " the express declaration of the
be- III III that well regulated militia
il. Nh. t6'ssary to the security of a free
s,ms rus right of the people to keen and
|ed tSo. 'o SnaIi n not be infriuged. 1t is be-
a.csrso .nas The repeal of all such laws would
F''D ~ the American people as at |