The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-10
PR SIDESA's ME- SAGE.
wAsHINGroN. Dec. 9, ls6S.


Upon Ihe sembling of Congress, 1t again be
comes my duty to call your attention TO ne state
OF the Union, and TO iIs continued dIsorganized
condition uDder the vsrious laws which have been
passed upon the subject Of reconstruction. II
NAV be sJiey assumed as an axiom In the gov
eminent OF States, that the greatest wrongs in
ficted upon people are caused by unjust and
arbitrary legislation, or by the unrelentlug de-
cTees OF 6tspotic rulers, and that the timely revo
cation of injurious and oppressive measures Is the
greatest good that an be conferred upon nation
the legislator OF ruler who has the wisdom and
msgnanimiiy to retrace his steps when convinced
of error, will, sooner or later, be rewarded with
the respect and gratitude of al intelligent and
patriotic people.
Our own history, although embracing period
less than century, affords abundant proof that
most if not all of our domestic troubles direct
ly trsceable TO violations of the organic Law aud
excessive legislation. The most striking illustra-
tons OF this fact are furnished by the eDsctments
of the past three years upon the question OF re
construction. after a fair trial, they have sub.
staniialy failed and proved peruicons in their
results, and there seems TO be no good reason
Why they should longer remain upon the statute
books. States TO which the Constitution gu4ran-
tees a republican form of govern nent have been
reduced 20 military dependencies, IN each OF
which the people have been made subject to the
arbitrary will OF the commanding general. Al.
though the Constitution requires that each state
shall be represented IN Congress, Virginia, Missis-
sippi and Texas are excluded from the two houses,
and contrary 70 the express provisions of that
instrument were deDied parlicip in the recent
election for president aud vice president OF the
United States.
The attempt to place the white population un.
der the domination of persons of color in the
South, has impaired if not destroyed the kindly
relations that had previously existed between
them, aud mutual distrust has engendered a feel
ing of aDimosty, which leading in some instances
TO collision aud bloodshed, has prevented that
operation between the two races so essential to
the success of Industrial enterprises 10 the South
ern States. Nor have the Inhabitants OF those
States alone suffered from the disturbed condition
of affairs growing out OF these congressional en-
actments the entire Union has been sgitated by
grave apprehensions OF trouble, which might gain
involve the peace of the nation, its interests nave
been iDjuriously affected by the arrangement of
business and labor, 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 salutary
provisions we have successfully conducted all our
domestic and foreign affairs, sustained ourselves
in peace and in war and become a great nation
among the powers OF the earth, must assuredy be
now adequate TO the settlement of questions grow
ing out OF the civil war waged alone for its vndi
cation. This great fact is made most N inifest by
the condition of the country when Congress
sembled in the month Of December, 1865. Civil
strife had ceased, the spirit of rebellion had spent
its entire force in the Southern States the people
had warmed into national life, and throughout the
whole country a healthy reaction in puollc sentl-
ment 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 restora
ton as near completion as was within the scope
of its authority, and the nation was encouraged by
the prospect of early and satisfactory adj ust-
ment of all its difficulties. Congress, however.
ntervened, and refusing 10 perfect the work 50
nearly consumnsted, declined 70 admit members
from the unrepresented States, adopted a series
soA - -
alton, frustrated all that had been successfully
accomplished, and, after three years OF agitation
and strife. has left the country further from the
attain ment Of union and paternal feeling than at
the inception Of the congressional plan of recon
stTuction. IL needs no argument TO show that
legislation which has produced such banefui con
sequences should be sbrOgated or else made to
conform 10 the genuine principles Of republican
government.
Under the infrence of party passion and sec.
tiona prejudice other acts have been passed not
warranted by the Constitution. Congress has al
ready been made familiar with my views respect
ing the tenure of office bill. Experience has
proved that its repeal is demanded by the best in-
terests of the country and that while it remains
in force the president cannot enjOin that rigid &C.
countabiliy of public officers so essential to an
honest ana efficient execution of the laws. Its
revocation would enable the executive depart
ment TO exercise the power of appointment and
removal In accordance with the original design of
the Federal Constitution. The act of March 2,
1857 making appropriations for the support of
the army for the year ending June 30, 1858. and
for other purposes, contains provisions which in
terfere with the presidents constitutional func-
tions as commander-n chief of the army, aud deny
TO States of the Union the right 10 protsct them
selves by means of their own militia. These pro-
visions should be at once snnnlled, for while th
first might, in times of great emergency, seriously
embarrass the executive in efforts 20 employ aud
direct the common strength OF the nation for its
protection and preservation, the other is contrary
TO the express declaration OF the Constitution,
that :" a small regulated militia being necessary
to the ssnctity Of q free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be in.
fringed." II is believed that the repeal Of all
such laws woud be accepted by the American
people as at least partial return to the funda-
mental principles of the government, and an indi.
cation that hereafter the Constitution Is to be
made the natiorfs safe and unerrng guide. They
can be productive of no permanent benefit to the
country, and should not be permitted to stand as
so many monuments of the deficient wisdom which
has characterized our recent legislation.
The condition of our finances demands the
early and earnest consideration of Congress.
Compared with the growth OF our population.
the public expenditures have reached an amount
unprecedented in our history. The population OF
the United States in 1870 was nearly four millions
Of people. Increasing each decade about thirty
three per cent, il reached, in 1860, thirty.one
Millions an increase Of seven hundred per cent
on the population in $780, In 1869 it is estimated
that it will reach thirty eight millions, or an In
crease Of eight hundred and sixty eight per cent
in seventy. nine years. The annual expenditures
of the federal government in 1871 were four
millions two hundred thousand dollars. Ia 1920
eighteen million two hundred thousand dollars in
1850 forty -one millions; n 1860, sixty-three millions
| in 1865, nearly thirteen hundred millions; and 10
1869 it is mated by the secretary of the treasury
in bis last annual report, that they will be three
hundred and seventy-two miiiioos BY comparing
public disbursements OF 1869, as estimated
with those of I79l, il will be seen that the in
crease Of expenditure since the beginning Of the
government has been eight thousand six hundred
and eighteen per centum. while the increase o
the population for the same period was only eigh
hundred ard sixty. eight per centum.
Again, the expenses Of the government in 1850
the year of peace Immediately preceding the var
were only sixty. three millions, while in 1863, the
year Of peace three years after the war, IL il
estimated they will be three hundred and sev
| enty-two millions, go increase Of four hundred
and eighty nine per centum, while the increase o
population was only twenty one per centum fo
| the same period. These statistics further show
that in 1871, the annual national expenses com
pared with the population were little more thai
one dollar per capita, and 10 1860 but two doliar
I per capita, while in 1869 they will reach the ex
| irsvagant sum of nine dollars and seventy. .eigh
cents per capita.
| IL will be observed that all of these statement
a. "a dfqhnrQananta ~