Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Photographed to the Journal. ]

FetLOC-CULZeaS OF hR
Senate and House Of Representatives
Upon the reassenbling of Congress-, 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 have
been passed upon the subject of reconstruction.
1t may be safely assumed axiom in the gov
ernment of states, that the greatest wrongs in
fcted upon people are caused by unjust and
arbitrary legislation by the unrelenting DEGREES
OF despOtlc rulers and that the timely revolution
of injurious, OF oppressive measures is the great
est good that can be conferred upon a nation.
The Legislature ruler who has the wisdom and
magnanimity to retrace his steps, when convinced
of error, will sooner later be rewarded with the
respect and gratitude of an intelligent and patrl
otto people. Our own history, although embra-
cling period less than century, affords album
dant proof that most If not all, of our domestic
troubles directly traceable to violations OF the
organic law and excessive legislation. The most
striking illustrations of this fact ara furnished
by the enactments of the past three years
upon the question of reconstruction. After fair
trial they have substantially failed and proved
perniciOus i'll their results, and there seems to be
no good reason why they should longer remain
upon the statute books. States to which the con-
stitution 1arantees a republican form of govern
ment have been reduced to military dependencies,
in each of which the people have been made sub
ject to the arbitrary will of the commanding gen
eral. Although the constitution requires that
each State shall be represented in Con-
gress, Virginia, Mississippi and Texas are
yet excluded from the two Houses and
contrary to the express provisions of that
instrument, and denied participation
in the recent election for President and Vice
President of the United States. The attempt to
place the white people under the dominion OF
persons of color in the south has impaired If not
destroyed, the kindly relations that had previ-
ously existed between them, and mutual dlstrust
has engender6d feeling or anlmOslty which,
leading in some instances tc collision and blood
shed, has prevented that cooperation between
the two races essential to the success ofindus-
trial enterprises in the southern States. Nor
have the inhabitants of those States alone suffer
ed from the dlstur bed condition Of affairs grow
ing out of these Congressional enact,
ments. The entire Union has been agitated
by grave apprehensiOns of troubles which might
again disturb the peace of the nation. Its inter-
ests have been injuriousy affected b., the de-
rangemcnt of business and labor and the conse-
quent want OF prosperity throughout that portion
of the country.
The federal constitution, the Magma Cha7td OF
American rights-under whose wise and salutary
provisions we have successfully conducted all
domestic and foreign affairs, sustained our
selves in peace and in war, and became great
nation among the powers of the earth, must assu-
redly be now adequate to the settlement of ques-
tons growing out OF the civil war waged alone for
its vindcaton. This great fact is made most AMI
fest by the condition OF the country when Con
gress assembled IN the month of December, 1865
Owl strife has ceased-the spirit of rebellion had
spent it's entire force in the Southern States-the
people had warmed into national life and through
out the whole country healthy reaction in pub
Ito sentiment had taken place. BY the application
of the simple, yet effective provisions of the con-
stiution, the executive department with the vol
unt4ry aid of the States had brought the work Of
restoration near completion as was within the
scope of its authority, and the nation was en-
couraged by the prospect ofan early and salts
factory adjustment OF all its dlffieulties.-
Congress however lnterfered and refus'
conplished. declined to admit members
from the unrepresented States adopted series
ofmeasures which arrested the progress of re-
stOratlOn frustrated all that had been SO success
fully accomplished, and after three years of agi
tation and strife, has left the country farther from
the attainment of union and traternal feeling
"a fInVD nf
OF reconstruction. 1t needs no argument to show
that Legislation which has produced such banefu
consequences should be abrOgated or else made
TO CONFORM to the genuine principles of republi
can government.
Under the influence OF party passion and sec
tonal prejudice other acts have been passed no
warranted by the constitution. Congress has
a. eady been made familiar with my views respect
lag the tenure-of-Ufice bill Experience ha
proved that it's repeal Is demanded by the bes
interests Of the country, and that while it remain
IN force the President cannot eDjoin that riSiC
accountability OF public officers essential to al
honest and efficient execution Of the laws. 1t
repeal would enable he executive department t.
exercise the power OF appointment and remova
in accordance with the original design of tn
IL eral constitution.
Tie act of March %. 1865, making appropria
tons for ths Support of the army for the yea
ending June 30th 1868, and for other purposes
contains a provision which interfere with thu
Presidents constitutional function comman
dr-ln-chlef of the army, and deny to States of tn
Union the right to protect themselves by mesn
at annuled, for while the first might in time
OF great emergency, seriously embarrass the Elk
ecutlve in efforts to employ and direct the com
mon strength of the nation for it's protection anC
preservation the other is contrary to the expires,
declaration of the constitution that "a well regu
lated militia being necessary to tie securit,
of a free State, the right OF the people t
keep and bear arms, shall not be infrins ed."-
1t is believed that the repeal OF all such law.
would be accepted by the American people as a.
least partial return to the fundamental princi
pies OF the government, and an indication tina
hereafter the constitution is to be made the ma
TONS safe and answering guide. They can bt
productive of no permanent benefit to the coun
try, and should not be permitted to stand as &C
many monuments Of the deficient wisdom which
has characterized our recent Legislation.
The condition of our finances demands the early
ard earnest consideration of Congress. Com
pared with the growth OF our population the
pubic expenditures have reached an amount I'm.
Precedented IN our history. The population OF
t9e United States in 1890 was nearly four millions
vi people, increasing each decade about thirty.
Inree per cent, 1t reached in 1860 thirty-one mil.
mons, an increase of seven hundred per cent, on
the population in 1880. In 1869 Z "a ESTIMATED
that 1t Will reach thirty-eight millions or an in.
crease OF eight hundred and sixty.e eight ner cent
In seyenty-hlne Years. The annual eInand;tnras
OF the federal government in 1871 were fonr mil.