Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-15
Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message was presented to
Congress at | O clock on Wednesday last. In
lieu of publishing the message in full, which is
very long. and would scarcely be read by one in
twenty, we publish an abstract of it, as tele-
graphed to the Dispatch, which, in a brief
space, gives the reader the substance of it, as
follows: m
The President begins by calling the attention
of Congress to the continued dlsorganlzed con-
dition Of certain States of the Union under the
various reconstruction laws. A timely revoca-
ton of injurious and oppressive measures is the
greatest good that can be conferred upon the
nation. The reconstruction laws have failed,
after three years trial, have proved pernicious
in their results, and should no longer remain
upon the statue book States to which the
Constitution guarantees a republican form OF
government have been reduced to military de-
Tendencies in each of which the people have
been made subject to the arbitrary will OF
commanding General Although the Constitu-
ton requires that each. State shall be represen
ted in Congress, Virginia, Mississippi, and
and, contrary to the express provisions of that
instrument, were denied participation in the re
cent Presidential election.
The attempt to place the white population
under the domination of persons Of color in the
South has impaired, if not destroyed, the kind
ly relation that had previously existed between
them, and mutual distrust has engendered
feeling of aninnosity which, leading in some in
stances to collision and bloodshed, has prevent
ed that co operation between the two races so
essential to the success of industrial enterprises
in the Southern States. The Union has been
agitated by grave apprehensions of troubles
L: Il .~l,t Of nofIo
The Federal Constitution is now adequate to
the settlement of the questions growing out of
the late civil war.
The President reviews the condition Of the
country since the end Of the rebellion, declaring
that the acts passed weresnot warranted by the
Constitution. He says that the best interests
Of the country demand the repeal of the tenure
Of Office act, and the appropriation act of March
2, 1867, interfering as it does with the Presi~
dent S constitutional functions as commander
in chief and denying to States the right to pro
tect themselves by means Of their own militia,
should also be repealed.
| The financial affairs of the Union need imme
diate attention, as the public expenses are un-
precedented Here the President sets forth
subs tantially his letter to General Ewing. /
Congress should make early provision to pay
the indebtedness of the country; the fruits Of
labor should be enjoyed by citizens rather than
used to build up moneyed monopolles IN our
own and other lands; the debt should not be-
come permanent; the interest on the debt
should be reduced, the owners of Government
securities receiving seventeen per cent on each
dollar This favors the few at the expense Of
the many The national credit should be sa-
credly observed. The six per cent interest
now paid by the Government should be applied
to the reduction of the principal In semi annual
III I'll,
| liquidate the entire national debt. The large
amount of capital now invested in Government
securities should be released The resumption
of specie payments is recommended.
The condition of our foreign affairs is review
ed. The controversy with the Paraguayan
Government is detailed Negotiations are
pending for the construction of a ship canal
across the Isthinus Darien, and comprehen-
sive national policy would seem to sanction the
acquisition and incorporation into our Federal
Union Of the several adjacent continental and
insular communities as speedily as it can be
done peacefully, lawfully, and without any vio-
lation of national justice, faith, or honor.
Foreign possession or control OF these COM
munities has hitherto hindered the growth and
impaired the influence of the United States. -
When firmly established as an independent re-
public. or Incorporated into the United States,
! thew would be a new source of strength and
power.
No reference is made in the message to our
affairs with England relative to the Alabama
claims the naturalization treaty, etc.
The President renews his recommendation
that the judgment Of the people should be
taken on the propriety of amending the Consti-
tuition First, for the election of a President
and Vice President by the direct vote Of the
people instead of by the agency Of the electors !;
secondly, that distinct desi gnation should be
made Of the person who shall discharge the
duties of the President in the event of vacancy
in the office both of President and Vice Presi-
dent thirdly, that senators should be elected
by direct vote Of the people of several States.
In concluding, the President says 'Let us
earnestly hope that before the expiration ofour
respective terms of service, now rapidly draw
ing to close, an all-wise Providence will so
guide our counsels as to strengthen and pre-
serve the Federal Union, inspire reverence for
| the Constitution, restore prosperity and happi-
ness to our whole people, and promote on earth
peace and good wiltoward men. -
President Grant is said to be worth $780,
600, invested mostly in real estate in Philadel-
phia Washington, St. Louis and Galena.
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