The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-12-15

tac Chinese government upon size ibef-
s. and suspieiUus trua'y which was r.
Gently celebrated viih the pleripoten-
taucs II this capitol japan romaius
theateF 81 civil var. marked Is rshg.
iaus incidents and political seventies
paculisr - that long isolated empire
Tbs Executive has hitherto maintained
stric, neutrality among ihs boihEeFouts,
and acknowledges with pleasure that il
has been iraakly Ani falls sustained 10
that course by the enlightened concur
renee and cooperation Of The other
treaty powers namely Great Britain,
France, the Netherlands, North Ger
many aud Italy. Spain having recent
il undergone a revolution marked by
extraordinary unanimity and preserve
ton u order, the provisional govern
ment established Al Madrid has been
recognized. and the friendly intercourse
which has 80 long happily existed be-
tween the two continents remains IN
changed.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
renew the recommendation 10 Con-
gress, dated the 18th Of July last, a
copy Of which accompanies TINS message
that the judgment of the people should
be taken on the pr0priety Of SO amend
ing the Federal Constitution that it
shall provide, LIST, for an election Of
President aud Vice President by di-
rect vote OF the people, instead OF thro'
the agency Of electors, making them in
eligible for reelection to second term;
"a, for distinct designation Of the per
son who shall discharge the duties Of
President in the event Of vacancy in
that Office by the death, resignation or
removal Of both the President and Vice
President; Sd, for the election of Sen
ators Of the United States directly by
the people Of the several States, instead
Of by the Legislatures; and 4th, for the
limitation to period of years, OF the
term of Federal Judges.
Profoundly impressed with the pro-
priety Of making these important mod
iiicatiuns in the Constitution, respect
fully submit them for the early and ma
ture consideration of Congress. We
should, as far as possible, remove all
pretext for violations of the organic
laws, by remedying such imperfectiuns
as time and experience may develop,
ever remembering the Constitution,
which at any time exists unchanged,
by an explicit and authentic act of the
the whole people, is sacredly obligatory
upon all,
CONCLUSION
In the performance Of duty impos-
cd upon me by the Constitution, / have
thus communicated to Congress infor-
nation of the state of the Union, and
recommend for their consideration
such measures as have seemed to me
necessary and expedient- If carried
into effect they win hasten the acomp-
lishment Of the great and benefcent
purposes for which the Constitution
was ordained, and which it comprehen-
sively states were ITO form a more per-
feet union, establish justice, insure do
nestle tranquility, provide for
the common defense, promote the
general welfare and secure the
blessing of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity" In Congress are vested all
regulatiye powers, and upon them de-
wolves the responsibility, as well for
framing unwise and excessive laws, as
for neglecting to devise and adopt
measures absolutely demanded by the
wants of the country.
Let us earnestly hope that before the
expiration Of our respective terms of
service, now rapidly drawing to II close,
an all-wise Providence will so guide our
counsels as to strengthen and preserve
the federal union, inspire reverence for
the constitution, restore prosperity and
happiness to our whole people, and pro-
mote ION earth peace, good will to-
ward men,"
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAgHINdToN, DEo 8, 1868.