The Ottawa free trader., 1868-12-12
ANNUAL MESSAGE
The President Of the United States.

-
F1LLOw CITIZENS o. THE SENATE AND HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES: 4E1-F
Upon the reasssnbline Of congress, it again
becomes my duty to call your attention to the
state Of the Union, and to its continued disor-
ganized condition undsr the various laws which
have been passed upon tho subject of rsconstruo-
ton. .'''"
It may be safely assumed a. an axiom in the
government of states that the greater wrongs in.
Aicted upon people are caused BY an unjust
and arbitrary legislation, or BY the unrslsnting
dssrees of despotie rulers; and that the timely
revocation of injuries and oppressive measures
10 the greatest COED that can be conferred upon
. natien. The Legislator or ruler who has the
wisdsm and magnauimity TO retrace his steps
when convinced Of error viii sooner or later be
regarded with the respect and gratitude Of an
intelligent and patriotic people. Our own histo-
tury, affords abundant prsof that NEST, if not
ALL of our domestic troubles are directly traeea-
bic to violations Of the organic law and excss-
sive legislation.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Most striking illustrations Of this fact are fur
pished BY the enactnsnts Of the past three years
upon the question Of rsconstru,tion. After .
fair trial, they have substantially failed and
proved pernicious in their rssults; and there
seems to be no gsod reason why they should
longer remain upon tho statute-book. States
to which the constitution guarantees . republi-
can form Of government have been reduced to
military dependence. and in each of which the
people have been made subject to the arbitrary
will Of tho commanding general. Although the
constitution requires that each state shall be re-
presented in congress, Virginia, Mississippi and
Texas are yet excluded from the two houses,
and, contrary to the express provisions of that
instrument, were denied participation in the re-
cent election for president and vice-prssidsnt of
the United States. The attempt to place the
white population uAdsr the domination of per.
sons Of color, in the south, has impaired, if not
destroyed, the kindly rslstions that had previous
" existed between them, aAd mutual distrust
has sngendsred feeling Of animosity which,
leading in some instalces - collision and blood
shed, has prevented that cooperation between
tho two 20 essential to the success of indus
trial enterprises in the southern states
Nor have the inhabitants Of those states alone
suffered from the disturbed condition of affairs
growing out Of the congregational enactments.
The ontirs Union has been agitated by grave ap-
prshsnsions Of troubles which might again in
vslvs tho peace Of the nation. Its interests have
been injuriossly affected by the derangsnent of
business and labor, and the consequent want Of
prosperity Throughout that portion Of the coun-
try. The federal constitution, the Magma Charta
Of American rights. under whose wise ald salu-
tary provisisns We have successfully conducted
all our domestic and foreign affairs, sustained
ourselves in peace and in war, and become .
great nation among the powers of the earth, must
assuredly be now adequate to the settlement of
the questions growing out Of civil war wsged
alone for its vindication.
Tbs~ e. Z. l. -
condition Of the country. When congress as-
sanbled in tho manth Of December 1865, civil
strife had ceased the spirit Of the rebellion had
spent its entire foros and in the southern states
the people had warmed into national life and
throughout the whole country healthy reaction
in public sentiment had taken place. By the
application Of the siapls, yet effective, provi-
sions Of the oonstitatio., the executive depart
ment. with tho voluntary aid of the state, had
brought the work Of restoration as near compile
ton - was within the scope Of its authority,
and the nation was encouraged by the prospect
of an early and satisfactory adjustment of all its
diniculties. Congress, however, intsrvsned, and
refusing to perfect the work 80 nearly cousum-
mated, declined to admit members from the un-
represented states, adopted . series of measures
which arrested the progress Of restoration, frus-
trated all that had bssn 90 successfully accom-
pished, and, after three years of agitation and
strife, has left the country farther from the at
tanmeat Of union and fraternal feeling than at
the inception of the congressional plan Of recon.
struction. It needs no argument to shsw that
the legislation which has produced such bansful
consequences should bs abrogated, or else made
to conform to the genuine principles of . rspub-
lican government.
OTHER UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTS.
Under the influences of party passions and
sectional prejudiess, 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 demand.
ed by the best interests of the country; and that
while it remains in force, the president cannot
enjon that rigid accountability of public officers
so essential to an honest and efficient execution
of the laws. Its revocation would enable the
executive department to exercise the power of
appointment and removal in accordance with the
original design of the federal constitution.
The act of March 2, 1867, making appropria.
tions for the support Of the army for the year
ending June 30, 1868, and for other purposes,
contains provisions which interfere with the
presidents constitutional functions as command.
er.in-chief Of the army, and deny to the states
of the Union the right to protect themselves by
means of taeir own militia
These provisions should be at once annulled
for, while the first might, in times of great emer-
gency, seriously embarrass tho executive in his
efforts to employ and direct the common strength
OF the nation of the United States for its protec.
ton and preservation, the other is contrary to |
the express declaration of the constitution, that |
a well regulated militia beinu nscassarv IN IN.