The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-12-18


upon general interests. 1t Is plain
earnest, vigorous document, and will
command more attention than ordina.
rily attaches to such papers. y0li BE-
FIdr "a STATE OF THE UNION. iad
Fellow- Citizens Of the Senate, n'4
n1l and 0fthe Honse Of Representatives..
Upon the re-assembling of Congress
1t again becomes my duty to call yout
attention to the state of the Union and
its disorganized condition under the va
rious laws which have been passed upon
the subject of reconstruction. 1t may
be safely assumed as an axiom In the
Government Of the States that the great
est wrong inflicted upon people is
caused by unjust and arbitrary legisla-
tiOn, or by the unrelenting DEGREES of
despotic rulers, and that the end of in
furious and oppressive measures is the
greatest good that can be conferred on
nation. The legislator or the ruler
who has tho wisdom and magnanimity
to retrace his steps when convinced of
error, will, sooner or later, be rewarded
with the respect and gratitude of an ill.,
telligent and patriotic people. at
Our own history, although embracing
a period Of less than century, affords
abundant proof that most, if not all. our
domestic troubles are directly traceable
to violations Of the organic laws and
excessive legislation. The most striking
illustration of this fact are furnished by
the enactments of the last three years
OH 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 longer remain
upon the statute book. States to which
the Constitution guarantees republi-
can form of government have been re-
duced to military dependencies, in each
Of which the people have been made
subject to the arbitrary will of the COM
manding General. ''t' &
NoN-REPREsENTED STATES.
Although the Constitution requires
that each State shall be represented in
Congress, Virginia, Mississippi and
Texas arc yet excluded from the Houses I;
and contrary to the expressed provisions
of that instrument, were denied particle
patton in the recent election for Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States. The attempt to place the whole
population under the dominion of per-
sons Of color in the South, has impair
ed, if not destroyed, the kindly rela-
tiOns that had previously existed be-
tween them, and mutual distrust has
rendered the feeling of animosity which,
leading, in some instances to collision
and blOodshcd, has prevented the CO.
operation between the two races SO es-
sential to the success of industrial en-
terprises in the Southern States.
Nor have the inhabitants Of these
States alone suffered from the disturbed
condition of affairs, growing out of
Congressional enactlnents. The entire
Union has been agitated by grave, ap-
prehensiOns of troubles, which might
again involve the peace of the nation.
Its interests have been injuriously af-
fected by the arrangement of business
and labor, and the consequent want of
prosperity throughout the country. The
Federal Constitution, the magma charta
of American rights, under whose wise
and salutary provisions we have sue
cessfully conducted all our domestic
and foreign affairs ourselves, in peace
and in war, and become great nation
among the powers of the earth, most
assuredly can now be adequate to the
settlement of the questions growing out
of the civil war waged for its vindica-
tion. This great fact is made most mani
fest by the condition of the country.
IsrPoL1TIo AND EXCESSIVE LEGISLATION.
When Congress assembled in the
month of December, 1865, civil strife
had ceased the spirit of rebellion had
spent its entire force in the Southern
States; the people had warmed into ma
tional life, and throughout the whole
country healthy reaction in public sem
timent had taken place. BY the appli-
cation of the simple yet effective prOvi-
sions of the Constitution, the Executive
Department, with the voluntary aid of
the States, had brought the work OF re-
storation as near completion as was
within the scope of authority, and the
nation was encouraged by the prospect
of an early and satisfactory adjustment
of all its difficulties. Congress, how
ever. interfered, and refusing to perfect
the work SO nearly done, declined to
admit members from certain States,
adopted course of measures which ar
rested the progress of restoration, fius-
,trated what had been done, and after
three years of agitation and strife, has
left the country further from the attain
ment of ulion and fraternal feeling than
at the inception of the Congressional
plan OF reconstruction.
1t needs no argument to show that
legislation which has produced such
consequences should be abrograted, or
else made to conform To the genuine
principles of republican government.
Under the influence Of party passion
and. sectional prejudice, other acts have
been passed not warranted by the Con-
.stitutiOn. sEufii5t4t n y4NH 3tai,s
lo TIRE TENURE OF OFFICE LAW. ~
Congress has already been made fam
iliar with my views respecting the ten
ure of Office bill. Experience has proved
that its repeal. is demanded by the best
interests Of the country, and that while
itremains in force the President cannot
enjoin the rigid accountability of pub
lic officers so essential to an honest and
efficient execution of the laws. Its re-
peal would enable the Executive De-
partment to exercise tho power of ap-