The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE .
F,Ear. Citizens qt ths Senate and House cf
Representatives;

tlnn TO the ffafe OF the OH on anu NlSlT> |
ganirad condition undfr the various laws
which have been passed upon the subject Of
reconstruction. 1t may be sniely assumed
as an axiom in the government of the
States, that the greatest wrongs inflicted
upon a people are. caused by unjust and
arbitrary iogislation,. or by the unrelenting
dsaees vS despo;ic rulers. and that the
iitacH repeal of injurious and oppressive
inclsurcs is the greatest good that can be
conferred upon a nation.
The legislator or the ruler who has the
wisdom or magnsnimity 20 retrace ais steps
when convinced Of error. will, sooner or
later, he rewarded with the respect and
gratitude Of intelligent and patriotic peo-
rle.
Our own history, although embracing
neriod of less than century, affords abun-
dAnt proof that most. if not all of our do
rarstic troubles, are directly tracealle to
violations Of the organic law and excessive
legisls,ion. The most stirling Illustrations
uf this Fact are furnished by the enaetnents
al the past three years upon the Question
az reconstruction. After q fair trial they
Rave substantially failed and proved perni>
eious in their results, and there seems to
he no good reason why they should longer
remain upon the statute book. States to
which the Constitution guarantees Re
nu6hcan form of Government have been
reduced to military dependencies, in each
of which the people have been made sub
icct to the arbitrary will OF the command
iuK general.
Although the Constitution requires that
cseh State shall he represented in Congress,
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas are yet ex-
,ludcd from the houses, and coatrary to the
oxpress provisions of that instrument were
denied participation in the recent election
for President and Vice President Of the
United States.
The sttempt, TO place the whole popula
iion under the DOR inion Of persons OF color
in the South, has impaired, if not destroy
ed the kindly relations that had previously
existed between them, and mutual disrust
has rendered feeling OF animosity, which,
Iesding in some instances to collision and
boodshsd, has prevented that CO operation
between the two races so essential to the
success Of industrial enterprises in the
Southern States. Nor have tie lnhati
tents of those States alone suffered from
The disturbed condition of affairs growing
ont Of the Congressional, enactments. The
Union has been aeitated by grave appre-
hensions Of troubles which might again in
volve the peace Of the nation Its in'er>
ests have been injuriously 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
eharta Of American rights, under whose
wise and salutary provisions we have sue
aessfully conducted all our domestic and
foreign affairs, sustained ourselves in peace
and in war, and became a great nation
among the powers of the earth, must as
eurcdly now be adequate to the settlement
of the questions growing ont 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
af December, 1865. civil strife had ceased,
he spirit of rebellion had spent its entire
iIrce in the Southern States, the people
rad warmed into national life, and through
cut the whole country healthy reaction IN
public sentiment had taken place by the ap-
rIcation of the sinlnle, yet effective, pro-
visions 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 che nation was eneour
aged by the prospect Of an early and salts
factory adjustment of all its difficulties:
Congress, however, interviewed, and re
Euting to perfect the work so nearly censu
mated declined to admit members iron
these States, adopted course OF measure'
which arrested the progress of restoration
frustrated all that had been successfully ac
csmplished, aud after three years Of agita
ton and strife has left the country farthu
from the attainment of Union and fraterna
feeling than at the inception of the Con
sressional plan Of reconstruction. 1t need
no argument to show that the Legislation
which has produced such consequence
should be abrogated, or else made to con
iorm to the genuine principles OF the lie
publican Government.
Under the influence of party passion an
sectional prejudice, other acts have bee
passed not warranted by the Constitution
Congress has already been made familia
with my views respecting the tenure o
Office bill Experience has proved that it
repeal is dcDanded by the best interests Q
the country, and that while it remains j
force the President cannot epj0in that rig
accountability of public officers 80 essentia
10 an honest and efficient execution ct th
laws. It's revocation would enable the Ex
cculive Department to exercise the powe
of appointment and removal. in accordanc
nth the original design of the Fedora
Constitution.
The aeAof March 1867 making apprc
oriations for the support of the array fo
ne year ending june 80, 1868, and for 9th
sr purposes, contains provisions which IN
serters with the Presidents Constitutions
functions as COMMANDMENTS Chief OF th
Srnv, and denies to States of the Union til
ight to. protect themselves by means c
'ieif own militia.
These provisions should be at once an
iulled, for while the first might in times {
sreat emergency seriously embarrass tn
Executiye 10 effoits to employ and direc
he common strength of the nation for il
protection and preservation, the other
contrary tothe express declaration OF tn
Constitution, that well regulated miiiti
bcing necessary to the security of ire
State, the right of the people to keep an
pear arAs shall not be lnfripged. 1t is be
ieved that the repeal Of all such laws woul
he accepted by the American people as q
least partial return te the fundanentn
principles OF the Government and an ind
cation that he reafter the Constitution is t
bs made the nations safe aud unerrin
guide. They can be productive Of no pei
manent benefit TO the country, and shoul
not be permitted to stand as so many mon
umeats Of tie deficient wisdom which ha
characterized our recent legislation.
THE FINANCES.
The condition Of our finances demand
the early and earnest consideration Of Con
gress. Compared with the growth Of on
population the public expenditures hav
reached an amount unprecedented in ou
history.
Th. population Of the United States i