Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-10
M ESSAGE
PRESIDENT JON NSON.
ftiiow Citizens ofthe Senate
and House Of RepresenfdiIreI

and House Of heprCsenfdut0.
Upon the reassembling of Congress, it again
becomes my duty 10 call your attention 70 the
state of the Union, and to its continued disor-
pnnizcd condition under the various laws which
have been pissed upon the subject OF recon-
structon II may be safely assumed a. an AK
ION in the government of the States, that the
greatest outragcs inflicted upon n people are
caused BY unjust and arbitrary legislation, or
BY the DEGREES of despotic rulers, and that the
timely revocation Of injurious and oppressive
measures Is the greatest good that can he CON
Eerred upon nation The legislator or ruler
who has the wisdom and magnanimity to re-
trace his steps when convinced OF error, will
sooner or later be rewarded with the respect
and gratitude Of an intelligent and patriotic
people. Our own history, although embrae-
ing period of less than century, affords
abundant proof that the most II not all our do
nestle troubles are directly traceable to viola
tons Of the organic law and excessive legisa-
ton. The most striking Illustrations of this
fact are furnished by the enactments of the
last three years upon the question OF reconstruc-
ton. After a fair trial they have substantial
N failed and proved pernicious in their results,
and there seems no good reason why they should
longer remain upon the statute book. The
States to which the Constitution guarantees
republican form of government, have been re-
duced to military dependencies, in each ofwhich
the people have been made subject to the arbi-
trary will Of the commanding general Al
though the Constitution requires that each
State shall be represented in Congress, Virgin
ia, Mississippi and Texas are yet excluded from
the two Houses, and contrary to the express
provisions Of that instrument were denied par
ticipation in the recent election for President
and Vice President of the United States. The
attempt to place the white population under
the domination OF persons of color in the South
has impaired, itnot destroyed, the kindly rela-
tons that had previously existed between them,
and mutual distrust has engendered feeling
Of luminosity, which, leading in many instances
to collision and bloodshed, has prevented the
cooperation between the two races 50 essential
" the success of industrial enterprises in the
Southern States. Nor have the inhabitants Of
those States alone suffered from the disturbed
condition Of affairs growing ont of these Con-
gressional enaetnents. The entire Union has
been agitated by grave apprehension Of troubles
which might again involve the peace of the ma
ton. Its interests have been injuriousy ai-
fected by the derangement of business and la
Dor, and the consequent want of prosperity
throughout that portion of the country. The
Federal Constitution, the magma charta of
American rights, under whose wise and salu-
tary provisions we have successfully conducted
all our domestic and foreign affairs. sustained
great nation among the powers Of the earth,
must assuredly be now adequate to the settle
ment Of questions growing out of the civil war
waged alone for its vindication. This great
fact is made most 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 its
entire force. In the Southern States the PEG
pie had warmed into national life, and through
out the whole country healthy reaction in
public sentiment had taken place
BY the application of the simple, yet effective
provisions OF the Constitution, the executive
department, with the voluntary aid of the
States, had brought the work Of restoration as
near completion as was within the scope of its
authority, and the nation was encouraged by
the prospect of an early and satisfactory adj
justment Of all itsdifhculties. Congress, how
ever, interviewed, and refusing to perfect the
work 80 nearly consummated, declined u ad-
nit members from unrepresented States and
adopted series of measures which arrested
the progress of restoration, frustrated all that
had been successfully accomplished, and after
three years Of agitation and strife, has left 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 to show that legisln-
ton which has produced 50 banefu consequent
ces should be abrogated OF else made to con-
form to the genuine principles Of republican
government.
By the influence Of party passion and sec
tional prejudices, other acts have been passed
not 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 de-
manded for the best interests Of the country
and that while it remains in force the Presi-
dent cannot eljoin the rigid accountability in
public officers 80 essential TO an honest and
efficient execution Of the laws. Its revocation
would enable the executive department to exer-
else the power OF appointment and removal in
accordance with the original design Of the Fed
eral Constitution.
The Act of March 3, 1867, making appro-
priations for the army for the year ending June
30, 1868, and for other purposes contains pro-
visions which interfere with the Presidents
constitutional functions as commander-in-chef
Of the army, and deny to States Of the Union
the right 10 protect themselves by means of
their own militia. The prohibitions should be
at once annuled, for while the first might, in
times Of great emergency, seriously embarrass
the Executive in efforts to employ and direct
the common strength of the nation for its pro-
lection and preservation, the other is contrary
to the express declaration of the Constitution,
that well-regulated militia being necessary
TO the security Of n free State, the right of a
people TO keep and bear arms shall not be in
fringed.
1t is believed that the repeal of all such laws
would be accepted by the American people as
ct least partial attempt to return TO the fun
damental principles Of government, and an in
dicatiou that hereafter the constitution is to be
made the nations safe and unerrine guide.
They can be productive Of no permanent bene-
NJ To the country and should not he nermitted