The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-06

THE MESSAGE
Review Of the Condition Of the
COuntry-A Full Report
of the Document.
wIsn1NeroS, Dec. 6.--The following is the

oIDng sS heore YOU for the rs time as chief Magis-
Eate Of this great nation, 1t Is with gratitude 10 the
We are blessed with peace at home, and are without
sntanpng alliances abroad to forebode trouble,
with territory unsurpassed in iertllty OF an area
ennol 10 the abundant support OF nye hundred mill
Hons of people, and aboundng In every variety OF
ssefG suDnT mineral 1se world for ssnSraons with
abundant crops; with variety OF climate adapted
to the OF every species SG 9i
every living thing; with population Oh OF
free people, all speaking one anguage: W1Ia iSG St
tnstutons closing TO none the avenues OF fame, or
any blessing OF fortune that may be coveted;
Wb freedom OF the pulpit the press, and the SCHOOL,
with n revenue nOwing into the national treasury
beyond the requirements OF the Government Hap
piiy harmony is rapidly being restored within our
own borders manufactures hitherto unknown in our
country are sprnging up in all sections producing
degree OF national independence unequalled by that
Of any other power. These blessings and countless
Others are entrusted to your care and mine for safe
Eeeping for the brief period OF our tenure Of Office
In a Short time we must, each of u.s. return
10 the ranks OF the people who have conferred upon
ship | earnestly desire that neither you nor may
be condemned by free and enlightened consttu-
ency, nor by our own consclences. Emerging from
a Rebellion OF gigantic magnitude, aided as it was
by the sympathles and assistance OF nations with
which we were at peace, eleven States Of the Union
were four years ago, lett without legal state gov
A national debt had been contracted. American
commerce was almost driven from the SEAS The
industry of one-haf of the country had been taken
from the control OF the capitalist and placed where
iaborer. The work OF restoring State governments
loyal to the Union, OF protecting and fostering free
labor and providing means for paying the interest
the public debt has, received ample attention
from Congress.
Although your efforts have not met with the sue
cess in all particulars that might have been desired,
vet on the whole, they have been more satisfactory
Than could have been reasonably anticipated
Seven States which passed ordinances OF secession
have been fully restored to their places in the Union
The eighth (Georgia) held an election at which she
ratified constitution republican in form, elected
Governor, members Of Congress q State Legislature
and all other officers required.
The Governor was duly installed, and the Legis.
laure met and performed al the acts then required
Of them by the Reconstruction acts OF Congress-
subsequently, however, in violation of the Constitu
tion which they had just ratified, as since decided
by the Supreme Court Of the State, they unseated
the colored members Of the Legislature and admitted
10 seats some members who are disqualified by
the third clause Of the fourteenth amendment
10 the Constitution one article which they
circumstances j would submit to you whether it
would not be wise without delay to enact a law
members originally elected to the Legislature,
quirng each member to take the oath prescribed by
the Reconstruction acts, and none to be admitted
who ineligible under the third clause OF the four
teenth amendment. ..
ing, and complaints are heard Of lack of industry
on their part where they receive fair remuneration
The means provided for paying the interest OF the
public ., debt, with 6ovornont all other r0 expen,
more than ample The loss of our commerce is the
only result OF the late Rebellion which has not
Ceived sufficient attention from you. To this sub
ject call your earnest attention. will not now
suggest plans by which this object may be effected,
but will, if necessary, make it the subject OF a
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, to submit to
them the constitution which each had previously in
conventions framed, and submit the Constitution
either entire or separate parts be voted upon at
the discretion OF the Executive. Under this autho-
rity elections were called In Virginia the election
fnpln nj m a
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS elected have been in
stalled. The Legislature met and did all required by
this resolution, and by all the reconstruction acts OF
Congress- and abstained from all doubtful authority
l recommend that her Senators and Representatives
and the State be fully restored to her place in the
Elections were called in Mississippi and Texas, to
commence on the Both OF November, 1862 aud to last
for two days In Mississippi and four days in Texas.
The elections have taken place, but the result not
known 1t is to be hoped that the acts Of the Legs
latures Of these States when they meet will be such
rs to receive your approval, and thus close
SrowinS ont Of the Rebeon and not vet referred to-
is that Of an irredeemable cursency 1t is an evil
which hope win receive your most earnest atten-
tion. II is duty and one OF the highest duties of
Government, to secure to its citizens a medium of
exchange OF fixed and unvarying value This i'm
plies return to specie basis, and no substitute for
II can be devised. 1t should be commenced now
and reached at the earliest practicable moment
sstent with a fair regard to the interests Of the
debtor class. Immediate resumption, if practicable,
would not be desirable. 1t would compel the debtor
MUM on gold at the date of purchase, and
would bring bankruptcy and ruin to thousands.
Fluctuations, however, in the paper value OF the
measure of all values, gold, s.detrimental to the
interests OF trade. 1t makes the man Of business
involuntary gambler, for in all saes where future
payment is to be made both parties speculate to
what will be TIE value of the currency to be paid
received. earnestly recommend TO you, then, such
legislation as will insure gradual return TO specie
payments, and put an immediate stop to fluctuations
IN the value OF currency The methods to secure the
former OF these results are as numerous
as are the spectators in political eco
nomy: | see but one way, and that
rs to authorize the Treasury to redeem its paper
at fixed price whenever presented, and to withhold
from circulation all currency redeemed until sold
again for gold. The vast resources of the nation,
both developed and undeveloped, ought 60 make Onf
credit the best on earth, with less burden of taxa
ton than the citizen has endured for six years past
but IL Is not desirable that the people should he
taxed to pay II in that time Year by year the
ability topay increases IN rapid ratio; but the bur
den OF interest ought TO be reduced as rapidly as
can be done without the violation OF cOntract. The
public debt Is represented In great part by bonds
having from five TO twenty and from ten TO forty
years 10 run, bearing interest at the rate Of per
cent and per cent. respectively. IL Is optional
with the Government TO pay the bonds at any period
after the expiration OF the last time mentioned
upon their face. The time has already expired
when great part of them may be taken up, and is
rapidly approaching vi hen all may; for it Is believed
that all which are not due may be replaced by
and one-haf per cent ana rapidly rs the remain
der becomes due that they may be replaced in the
same way TO accomplish this it may he necessary
to authorize the interest TO be paid at either of three
or four OF the money centres OF Europe, or by any
Assistant Treasurer Of the United States, at the
option OF the holders Of the bonds ! suggest this
gress; ALSO simultaneously with this the prOpriety
OF redeemng our currency, as before suggested, at
its market value at the tme the law goes into effect
Increasing the rate at which currency will be bought
and sold from day to day, or week TO week, at the
same rate OF interest as the Government pays upon
Its bonds.
The anbiects of tariff and internal taxation will