The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-17
Presidents Message.
Fsuov Citizens Of the SenGfs and Eouse Of
Representatives.

Representatices
Upon the re-assembling Of Congress, 1t
again becomes my duty to call your attention
to the state of the Union, and disorganiLed
condition under the various laws which have
been passed upon the subject Of reeonstruc-
ton. 1t may be safely assumed as an ak
iom in the government of the States, that
the greatest wrongs inflicted upon the people
are caused by unjust and arbitrary legisla-
ton, or by the unreleuting DEGREES of des-
potic rulers, and that injurious and oppres
sve measures are the greatest evils that can
be inflicted upon a nation. The legislator
OF the ruler who has the wisdom and mag
uanimity to retrace his steps when convinced
of error, will sooner or later be rewarded
with the respect and gratitude Of an intelli-
gent aud patriotic people. Our own history,
although embracing perioo Of less than
century, affords abundant proof that most,
if not all our domestic troubles are directly
Iraceable to violations Of the organic law,
and excessive egislation.
THE RECONSTRUCTION LAWS SHOULD BE Rs
PEALED-
The most striking Illustrations of the fact
are furnished by the enactments of the
past three years upon the question of re-
construction. After fair trial they have
substantially failed and proved pernicious
in their results, and there seems 10 be no
good reason why they should longer remain
upon the statute books. States to which
the Constitution guarantees a republican
rm Of Government, have been reduced to
military dependencies. in each of which the
people have been made subjects to the arbi-
trnry will of the commanding general. AL
though the Consultation requires that each
State shall be represented in Congress, Yr-
ginia, Mississippi and Texas are yet exclud-
ed from the Houses, and contrary TO the ex
press provisions of that instrument, were
denied participation in the recent election
for President and Vice President of the
United States. The attempt to place the
whole population under the domination of
persons of color in the South, has impaired
if not destroyed the kindly relations that
had previously existed between them, and
mutual distrust has engendered feeling of
animosity which, leading in some instances
20 collision and bloodshed. has prevented
that cooperation between the two races so
essential to the success Of industrial enter
prises In the Southern States Nor have the
Inhabitants of those States alone suffered
from the disturbed condition Of affairs grow
ing out of these Congressional enactments
The entire Union has been agitated by grave
appreheusions Of trouble, which might
again involve the peace of the nation. Its
interests have been iujuriously affected by
the derangsmeut Of business and labor. the
consequent want Of prosperity throughout
that portion Of the country.
The Federal Constitution, the Magma
CAarta Of American rights, under whose
wise and Ealutary provisions we have sue
cessiuliy conducted all our domestic and for
eign affairs sustained ourselves in peace
aud in war, and became a great nation
among the powers of the earth, must as
sure Jly now be adequate to the settlement
of all questions growing out of the civil
war waged alone for its vindicated. This
great act is made most manifest by the con-
dition Of the country. When Congress as
sembled in the month of December, 1866.
civil strife had ceased. The spirit of rebel
lion had spent its entire force in the South
eTn States The paople had warmed into
national life, and throughout the whole
country healthy reaction in public senti-
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 restoration as near
completion was within the scope of its
authority, and the nation was encouraged
by the prospect of al early and satisfactory
adjustment Of all its diff culties, Congress,
however, inJervened, and refusing to perfect
the work so nearly GOnsummated, declined
to admit members from the States, adopted
a course of measures, frustrating all that had
been successfully accomplished, and. after
three years of agitation and strife has left
the country farther from the attainment of
union and fraternal feeling than at the in
ception of the Congressional plan Of recon
struction. 1t needs no argument to show
that the legislation which has produced
such consequences should be abrogated, or
else made to conform to the genuine princi-
pies Of Republican Government. Under the
influence Of party passions and sectional
prejudice other acts have been passed not
warranted by the Constitution.
THE TENURE OF OFFICE BILL.
Congress has already been made familiar
with my views respecting the tenure-of-office
bill. Experience has proven that its repeal
is demanded by the best interests of the
country, and that while it remains in force
the President cannot enjoin that rigid ac-
countability of public officers so essential
TO an honest and efficient execution of the
laws. its revocation would enable the Execu>
tive Department to exercise the power of
appointment and removal in accordance
with the original design of the Federal Con-
stituton.
THE PRESIDENT AS coMHANDER IN CHIEF
The act of March I'd, 1867. making ap-
propriations for the support of the army for
the year ending June 30th, 1868, and for
other purposes, contains provisions which
interfere with the Presidents constitutional
functions as Commander in-chief of the ar
my, and deny to States of the Uaion the
right to protect themselves with their own
militia. These provisions should be at once
annulled. for while the first might, in times
of great emergency, seriously embarrass he
Executive in efforts to employ and direct
the common strength of the nation for its
protection and preservation, the other is
contrary TO the express declaration of the
constitution, that well regulated militia
Selng necessary to the security of a free
STATE the right OF the people to keep and
ear arms shal' not be infringed. 1t is be-
% accepted by the American peonle ne al
east partial return to the fundan entail
principles of the government, and an indi.
sesi9n that hreafter The Constitution is to be