The Montana post., 1868-12-11
M ESSAGE E
Delivered by Andrew John
son, President Of the nitcd
States, tO the Senators and
Representative Of the Forty
first session in Congress os-
>cn,sptcsl, Dec. 9th. 1865.

lsTECIAL REroKI
TH"t' 'itis,ns ef N, S,at, o,d W,aSG
II Representatives:
RECoNsTRUCTIoN.
Upon the re-assembling of Congress IL
again becomes nv duty to call attention
TO the State of the Union and to its con-
tinued di>organization under the various
laws which have been passed upon the
subject of reconstruction. II may he
safely assumed as an axiom i'm the gov
ernment of STATES that the greatest wrongs
inflicted upon people are caused by an
unjust aud arbitrary legislation or by the
unrelenting DEGREES Of despotic rulers,
and that the timely revocation of iniur-
.Ous and oppressive measures Is the great
est good that can be conferred upon a na-
tion. The legislator or ruler who has the
wisdom and magnanimity to retrace his
steps when convinced Of error, will soon
er or later be regarded with the respect
and gratitude OF an intelligent and patri-
OtIc people. Our own history, although
embracing period Of less than a century,
affords abundant proof that most, IL not
all. our State troubles are directly tracea-
ole to violations of the organic law. En-
cesses and legislation most striking
illustrations of this fact are
furnished by the enactments of the past three
wears upon the question of reconstruction.
After fair trial they have substantially
failed and proved pernicious IN their results,
and there seems to be no good reason why
they should longer remain upon the statute
book. States to which the constitution guar
anrees a republican form of government have
oeen reduced To dependence, and in each of
which the people have been made subject to
the arbitrary will of the commanding Gene
raj. Although the constitution requires that
each State shall be represented in Congress,
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas are yet ex-
,luded from the two houses, aud, contrary to
the express provisions of that instrument.
were denied participation in the recent cleo
tion for President and Vice President of the
United States. The attempt to place the
white population under the dominion of per-
sons of color in the South has impaired If not
destroyed the kindly relations that had preyI-
ously existed between them, and mutual dis
trust has engsndered n feeling OF animosity,
which, leading IN some instances To collisions
and bloodshed, has prevented that CO.
operation between the two races so
essential to the success of the industrial
enterprises of the southern States. Nor
nave the inhabitants of these States alone
suffered from the disturbed state of affairs
growing out of the Congressional enact
ments. The entire Union has been agi-
tated by grave apprehensions Of trouble
which might again involve the peace Of
siOusly effected by the arrangement Of
business and labor, and the consequent
want of prosperity through that portion oil
the country. The federal constitution,
the magma charta of American rights. un-
der whose wise and salutary provisions
We have succe, sfully conducted all our
domestic and foreign affairs, sustained
ourselves in peace and in war, and be-
come great nation among the powers of
the earth, must assuredly be adequate to
the settlement of questions growing out
Of the civil war waged alone for its vindi-
cation. This great fact is made most
manifest by the condition Of the country.
When Congress assembled in the month
Of December, 1865, civil strife had ceased.
he spirit of the rebellion had spent
its entire force In all the Southern States.
The people had warmed into national life
throughout the whole country healthy
'eaction In public sentiment had taken place
ny the Application of the simple yet effective
provisions of the constitution. The Execu-
Give Department, with the voluntary and of
The States, had brought the work of restora-
ion ~ near completion a was within the
-cope of its authority, and the nation wns
encouraged by the prospect of an early and
satisfactory adjustment of all Its difficulties.
Congress however interfered, and refusing tn
perfect the work so nearly consumated, by
admitting members from the unrepresented
n
arrested the progress of restoration and frus-
rated all that had been so successfully ac-
c0mplIshed, and after three years of agitation
and strife. has left the country further from
hat attainment of union and fraternal feel
.ng than az the institution of the Cong rpss-
,onsl plan of reconstruction. 1t needs
40 argument to -how that the
such haneful consequences should be abroga-
led or else made to conform with the genu-
ne principles OF Republican government.
A PLEA FOR REPEAL
Under the influences of party passions and
sectional prejudlces, 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 it, repeal is de-
nanded by the best interests ot the country,
and that while it remains In force the Pr-si-
lent cannot enjoIn that rigid accountability
Of public officers so essential to an honest and
efficient executi on of the laws. Its revoca-
tion would enable the Executive Department
20 exercise the power Of appointment and re-
nova! in accordance with the original de-
sign of the constitution
The act of March ID, 1867. making sap
nropriations for the support ef the army for
the year ending June 20, ISiS, and for other
,urposes," contains provisions which inter
tere with the Presidents constitutional func-
tions a. Commander-in-Ch Chief of the army,
snd his duty TO the States Of the Union in
their right to protect themselves
~ means OF their own
militia. Those provisions should be at
once annulled. for, while the first might
N times of great emergency seriously en-
Darras the Executive in his efforts to en-
nloy and direct the common strength Of
the nation for the protection and preser-
Eation. the other Is contrary to the ex-
press declaration of the constit utiOn, that
"a well regulated militia being necessary
20 the security of free STATE, the right
of u people to Keep and bear arms, shall
not be infringed. Ii Is believed that the
repeal Of said laws would be accepted b.
the American people A. at least partial
ceturn TO the fundamental principles of
The government, and an indication that
hereafter the constitution is to be made
he nations safe and unerring guide
They can bc productive Of no permanent
10 the country, and should not be
&s 80 many monuments OF the deficient
wisdom which has characterized our re.
cent legislation.
FINANCES.
The condition Of our inances
dema1u. the early and earnest con-
sideration Of ongrcss. Compared with the
growth Of our population the public
expenditure. have s-rchsd m smount IN