The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-12-19
PREsnDENT.s MESSAGE.
Fello,e CitiSens Of the iSenvte and Hou,
Of Representatives.:

~ %N'lf'N"N"'NtttNtss
Upon the resembling of Congress il
again becomes my duty to call your atten
tion to the State Of the Union aud to III
continued disorganized condition. I'm
passed upon the subject of reconstruction
it may be safely assumed as an axiom IN
the government of States that the great.
est wrongs inflicted on a people are caused
by an unjust and arbitrary legislation, OF
by the unrelenting decrees of despotiC
rulers, and that tho timely reparation ol
injuries oppressive measures is the great.
est good that can be conferred upon a
nation. The legislator or ruler who has
the wisdom and magnanimity to retrace
his steps when convinced of error will
sooner or later be regarded with tho re.
speet aud gratitude of an intelligent aud
patriotic. people. Our own history, al
though embracing a period of less than a
century, affords abundant proof that most,
if not all, the state troubles are directly
traceabie to violations Of tho organic law
and oppressive legislation. The most
striking illustrations of this fact arc fur.
nished by the enaclmcnts Of the past three
years upon the subject Of reconstruction.
After fair trial, they have substantially
failed and proved pcrnicious In their re.
suits, and there seems to be no good rca-
son why they should longer remain on
the statute book. States to which the
Constitution guarantees a republican form
of government haze been reduced to de-
pcndcncies, in each OF which the people
have been made subject TO the arbitrary
will of commanding Genera, although
the Constitution requires that each State
shall be represented in Congress- Vir.
ginia, Mississippi aud Texas are yet ex.
cluded from both Houses, aud, contrary
to the express provisions of that instru.
ment, have been denied participation in
the recent election for President aud
Vice President Of the United States
The attempt to place the white popula.
ton of the South under the domination
of persons of color in the South has im.
paired il not destroyed the kindly relations
that had previously existed between
them. aud mutual distrast has eugendercd
a feeling of animosity which, leading in
some instances TO collision aud blood shsed
has prevented that cooperation between
the two racas so essential TO tho success Of
indstriaI enterprise in the Southern States;
nor have the inhabitants Of those States
alone suffered from the disturbed coudi-
ton of affairs growing out Of Congress.
ional enactmcnts. The entire Union has
been agita;ed by grave apprehensions
of troubles which might again involve
the peace Of the nation It's interests have
been injuriously affected by the drought
of business and labor aud consequent
want OF prosperity throughout that por-
ton Of the country, The Federal Con-
stitution, the magma chartor American
rights, under whose salutary provisions
we have successfully conducted all our do
mestc and foreign affairs, sustained our
selves in peace aud in war, and become a
great nation among the powers of the
earth, must assuredIy be now adequate
to the settlement OF questions growing
out of the civil var, waged alone for It's
vindicatiou. This great fact is made
more manifest by the condition Of the
country. When Congress assembled in
the month of December, 1865, civil strife
had ceased the spirit Of rebellion had
spent It's entire force in all the Southern
States; the people had warmed into na-
tionaI life, and throughout the whole
country healthy reaction in public SEN
timent had taken place by the application
Of the simple yet effective provisions Of
the Constitution. The Executive Depart
ment, with the voluntary aid of the States,
had brought the work of recstoration as
near completion as was within the scope
of its authority and the nation was en-
couraged by the prospect OF an early and
satisfactory adjustment of all It's Difficult.
ties. Congress, however, interiered, and
refusing to perfect the work so nearly
consummated, and to admit members
from the unreprescnted States, and al
opted series of measures which arrested
the progress of restoration and frustrated
all that had been so successfully accom-
plished, and after three years of agitation
and strife has left the country further
from that attainment Of Union aud fra
ternal feeling than at the commencement
of the Congressional plan of reconstruc-
tion. 1t is now argued TO show that the
legislation which has produced so bane-
fuI consequences should be abolished or
else made to confirm with the genuine
principles of republican government
Under the influences of party spirit and
sectional prejudice, other acts have been
passed not warranted by the Constitu-
ton.
TENURE OF OFFICE BILL.
Congress has already been made fa-
miliar with my yiewsrespecting the Tenure
Of Office Bill. Experience has proved
that its repeal is demanded by the best
interests OF the country, and that while it
remains in force of the President cannot
enioin that rigid accountability for public
officers. SO essential to an honest and