Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-12-24
Annual Message Of fthe
ST President. ; ~ Z
.l ,taIts
Reconstruction, the Fl
nances, Foreign Rela-
tions, Department
Reports, &c.
Fsllo,U Citizens Of he Senate and House Of
Doo,.hoor foiirqq.

tNNftANtteeN-f
Trnon. the reassembling Of Congress, 1t
again becomes my dnty to call your attention
10 the State of the Union, and its dsorgan-
lied condition under the various laws which
have been passed, upon the subject OF re-
constfuction. It NAV be safely assumed as an
axiom mi the government Of the states that
the greatest wrongs inflicted upon people
are caused by unjust and arbitrary leglslAtlonl
or by the unrelenting decrees OF despouc
rulers, and that the timely yreyocation oflnluri-
GUS and oppressive measures ls the grea..est
good that can be conferred upon q nation.
THE Legislator or the ruler who has the Wis
dom aid magnanimity to reuaee MS steps
when convinced Of error, will sooner or later
DO rewarded with tho respect and gratitude
Of intelligent and patrioticpeople. Our own
history, although embyacing period less
than century, affords abundant proof
that most, II not alb OF our 90
mestie troubles arc plfecuy s;ro uaceaDe
to violations OF the organic law and excessive
Legislation. The most striking illustrations
of this fact are furnished by tho enactments
of the past three years upon the question OF
Reconstruction. After a fair trial they have
substantially failed, and proved pernicious in
their results, and there seems 70
be TO gcol reason why they should
longer remain upon the statute
books. States TO which the Constitution
guarantees repuDhcnu lOi ia VI BJFbs uHAc"S
have been reduced TO military dependencies,
in each of which the people have been made
subject to the arbitrary will of the comman-
ding General. Although the Constitution re-
auires tnat each state shall be represented IN
Congress, Virginia, Mississippi and TeNs
are excludel from the House, and
contrary to the express provisions
of that instrument we're denied
participation in the recent election for Presl-
dent and Vice-President Of the United States.
The attempt to place the viii population
under the domination of persons OF color IN
the South has impaired IL not destroyed, the
kindly relations that have previously existed
between them, and mutual distrust has en-
gtndered feeling ofanlmosity, which leading
In some instances to collisions and blo0dshed,
has prevented that cooperation between the
two races so essential to the success OF IN
dustrial enterprises in the Southern States,
nor have the inhabitants OF those states
alono suffered from the disturbed condition
of affairs growing out of the congressional
enactments. Tho entire Union has been ag1-
tated by grave approximations OF troubles
which might again involve tho
peace of the nation; its interests have been
iniuriously affected by the arrangement OF
business and labor, the consequent want OF
prosperity throughout that portion OF the
country The Federal Constitution, the
'smagna charta" of American rights, un-
der whose WISE and salntary, proyis-
ions we have successfully 80 con-
Quoted all our domestic and foreign af-
fairs, sustained ourselves in peace and in
war, and become great nation among the
powers of the earth, must assuredly now be
ADEQUATE to Tho settlement Of the questions
growing out Of the civil war, wagcd alone ~.
its vindication. This fact is made most
manifest by the condition OF tine country:
When Congress assembled in the mouth OF
December, 1855, tho civil war had ceased;
tho spirit of reb sllion had spent its entire
force; in the southern states the people mad
warmed into national life and throughout The
whole country healthy reaction in public
sentiment had taken place. by the simple yet
effective provisions Of the Constitution
the Executive Department., with the
voluntary aid OF the states had
brought tho work ofrestoration as near com
pletion as was within the scope OF its author
fty, and the nation was encouraged by the
prospect Of an early and satisfactory adjust
ment of all its difficulties. Congress, how
ever, interRered and refused to perfect the
work, declined to admit the mem
bers from the States, and adopted |
o source of measures which lnrrosted the |
progress of restoration, frustrated all that
had been successfully accomplished after |
three years of agitation and strife, and has |
loft the country farther from the attainment
of union and fraternal feeling than
at the inception of the Congressional plan OF
reconstruction. 1t needs no argument |
20 show that Legislation which has produced |
such consequences should be abrogated, or |
else made to conform TO the genuine princi- |
pies OF the republican government. Under !
the influence Of party passion and sectional |
prejudice, other acts have been passed un- |
warranted by the Constitution. Congress
has already been made familiar with my |
views respecting the Tenure Of Office bill.
Experience has proved that its repeal is
demanded by the best tintercstss OF the coun-
try, and that while it remains in force the
President connOt enjoin that rigid aGeOunta.
bility Of public oficers so essential 20 the
honest aud efficient execution Of the laws. Its
revocation would enable the executive depart
ment to exercise the power disappointment and
removal in accordance with tho original de-
sign Of the Federal Constitution.
The act of March 2, 1867, making appropri-
ations for the support Of the army for the |
year ending June 30th, 1868, is for other pur-'
poses, and contains provisions which inter-
sere with the President's 3 Constitutional func- /
tions as Commander-in-C Chief Of the army, I
aud denies to states OF the Union
the right to protect themselves by
means Of their own militia
These provisions should be at once an
nrlled, for while the first might, in times Of
great emergency, aerionsly embaTTass the |
Executive in his efforts to employ aud direct |
the common strength OF the nation Tor its |
protection and preservation, the other, con-
trary TO the express declaration Of the Con-
stitution, that a well regulated militia being
necessary to the security OF free state, the !
right Of the people to keep and bear arms
shall not be infringed. 1t is believed that the
repeal Of all such laws would be ccepted
by theAmerican people, as at least partial re-
turn to the fundamental principles of the 4
government, and an indication that hereafter |
the Constitution is 10 be made the nations
safe and unerring guide. They can be pro-
ductiYe of no permanent benefit to the
country, and should net be permitted to
standas so many monumentsof the deficient |
wisdom which he's characterized our recent
legislation
Thecondition of our finances demands the |
early and earnest consideration OF Congress. |
Compared with tie growth of our spopnla- 4
ton, the expenditures have reached an |
amount unprecedented in our history. |
The population of the United states in 1870 |
was nearly four millions ofpeople Increasing |
each decade about thirty-three- per cent 1t
reached in 1850 thirty-one millions, an in.
crease Of seven hundred per cent, on the |
population in 1870. In 1869 tits estimated it |
Will Icdcu ltluA uAtl-Slbht AnhuOuo1 " AL ~ !
crease Of eight hundred and sixty-eight per |
cent. in seyenty-nine years, The annual exs
penditures OF the Federal Government in \
1900 were four million two hundred thousand
dollars; in 1920, eighteen million two hund-
rod thousand dollarsj in 1850, -foftJ-one mill
Lion dollars; in 1860, sixty. three million dol
lars; in 1865 nearly thirteen hhndred mill
lion dollars, and in 1869 IL is estimated
by the Secretary Of the Treasury, in
his last annual report, that they |
will bo three hundred and sevepty-two mil.
lion dollars. BY comparing the public dis
bursemonts Of 1867, as estimated with those
Of 1871, it will be seen that the increase Of
expenditures since the begihping OF the gov
ernfnent has been eight thousand six hund-
red and eightsonpcr eeiitum, while the in
crease Of Che population for the same period
was only eight hundred and SIXTY eight per
contum. Again, the expenses OF the govern
ment IN 1866, the year OF peace Immediately \
preceding the war, we're only sixty-three mill
lion dollars, while in 1859, the year OF peace,
three yearaafter the war, 1t is estimated they /
will be three hundred and. seventy-two mil
lions, an increase Of ffour hundred and eighty.
nine