The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-08
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Iothe8 8dhns aud House or Representa-
AnIeoming before you for the first time,
40 4he Chief Megistrate Of this great ma
tom it isi with gratitude 60 the Giver of
AE&ood for Tho mahy benefits we on.
ioygis We are blessed with peace at home,
sys.sls.es:s Sa.!sg alliances abroad to
fo9eliod6 trouble With territory unsur-
passed in fertility, Of area equal to the
support Of 800, 000, COO of people, abound
ing in every variesylof useful mineral in
quantity sa6ioientto supply the world
foFsgenerations;i exuberant crops, variety
OF climate, adapted to the production of
every species of earth's riches, suited to
the habits, tastes and requirements of
every living thing. A population of 49,
language; facilities for every mortal to
acquire education; institutions, closing
to none the avenues to fame or any bless
ing OF fortune that may be coveted; free
dom OF pulpit, press and school; revenue
flowing into the national treasury beyond
the requirements of the Government.
Happily, harmony is being rapidly re-
stored within our own borders; manu-
faotures hitherto unknown in our coun-
try, are. springing mp in all sections. pro-
ducing q degree of national independence
uneqpaled by any other power. These
blessings, and countless others, are en-
trusted to your care and mine for safe
Keeping for the brief period of our te-
nure Of Office, In short time we must,
each of us, return to the ranks of the
people who have conferred our honors
and account to them for our stewardship
earnestly desire that neither you nor I
may be condemned by a free, enlightened
constituency, nor by our own consciences
Emerging from rebellion of gigantic
magpitude-aided 40 it was by the SYM
pathies and assistance OF nations with
which we were OF peace-eleven States of
the Union we're, four years ago, left with
ont legal State governments; q national
debt has been contracted; American COM
merce, was almost driven from the seas;
the industry of one-half of the country
had been taken from the control of the
capitalists and placed where all labor
rightfully belongs, in the keeping of the
labprer.g The work ofrestoring the State
governments loyal to the Union, of pro-
teoting and fostering free labor and pro.
viding the means for paying interest on
the public debt, has received ample at
tentiop from Congress-, although your
efforts have not met with that success in
all particulars that might have been de-
sired; yet, on the whole, they have been
more successful than could have been
reasonably anticipated. Seven States
which passed the ordinance of secession
have been fully restored to their places
in the Union. Tho eighth, Georgia, held
an election, Of which sue ratified her
constitution, republican in form, elected
Governor, members of Congress, q
State Legislature, and other officers re-
qnired. The Governor was installed and
the Legislature met and performed all
acts then required of them by the recon-
struction acts of Congress. Subsequently,
however, in violation of the constitution
which they had just ratified, rs since de-
oided by the Supreme Court of the State,
they unseated the colored members in
the Legislature and admitted to seats
some members who are disqualified By
the third clause of the fourteenth amend
ment, an article which they themselves
had contributed to ratify. Under these
circumstances, would submit to you
whether it would not be wise, without
delay, to enact law authorizing the Go.
vernon of Georgia to convene the mem.
bers originally elected to the Legislature,
by the reconstruction acts, and none to
be admitted who are ineligible under the
third clause of the fourteenth amend.
ment. The freedmen, under protection
which they have received, ere making
rapid progress in learning, and no COM
plants are heard of lack of industry on
theiY part, where they receive fair remu-
neration for their labor. The means pro-
vided for paying the interest on the pub
lilo debt, with all other expenses of Go
vernment, are more than ample. The
loss of our commerce is only the result
Of the late rebellion, which has not re-
ceived sufficient attention from you. 10
this subject I call your earnest attention.
will not now suggest plans by which this
object may be effected, but will, if neces-
sary, make it the subject of special
message during the session of Congress-
At the March term, Congress, by Joint
resolution, authorized the Executive to
order elections in the States of Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas, and to sub NIT to
them constitutions which each had pre-
viously framed, and submit constitutions
either entire or in separate parts, to be
voted upon at the discretion of the Exc
cutive. Under this authority elections
were called. In Virginia the election
took place on the 9Th of July, and the
Governor and Lieutenant Governor elect
ed have haen inatallad rTba Too;,ra -