Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1869-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives

In coming before you for the first tim,
as Chief Magistrate OF this great nation
is with gratitude to the great giver o
all good for the many benefits we enjoy
We are blessed with peace at home, ant
without entangling alliances abroad III
forebode trouble. with Territory unsur
passed in fertility and equal to the abun
dant support Of 500,00O,0O0 Of people
Astounding in every variety Of useful ma
terial. in quantity sufficient to supply th,
world for generations exuberant crops o
every variety; climate adapted to tht
production Of every species of the earth's
riches, suited to the habits and require
ments Of every living thing; population
OF 40.000,000 Of free people speaking q
language facile for every mortal to acquire
educational institutions closing to none
the avenue Of fame or any blessing offor.
tune that may be coveted; freedom Of the
public press and school revenue flowing
into the National Treasury beyond the
requirements of the government. Happily,
harmony Is being rapidly restored within
our borders manufactures heretofore un-
known in our country are springing up in
all sections, producing degree Of nation
al independence unequaled by any other
power. These blessings, and countless
others, are entrusted TO your care and
mine for safe keeping for a brief period
Our tenure OF Office is short we must
expect to return to the ranks Of the peo-
Pile who have conferred our honors and
account to them for our stewardships. |
earnestly desire that neither you nor /
may be condemned by free, enlightened
constituency, nor by our own consciences.
Eleven States of the Union were four
years ago left without legal State Govern
meuts. A national debt had been con
tracted. American commerce was almost
driven from the sea. One half Of the in-
dustry Of the country had been taken from
the control Of capitalists and placed where
all labor rightfully belongs, in the keeping
OF the laborer. The work Of restoring
State Governments loyal to the United
States practicing and fostering free labor.
providing means for the payment Of inter-
est on the public debt, has received ample
attention from Congress. although you.
efforts have not met with such success In
all particulars as might have been desired,
yet on the whole they have been more sue
cessful than could have been reasonably an.
ticipated. Of the eleven States which
passed the ordinance Of secession, seven
have been fully restored to their places in
the Union. The eighth. Georgia, held an
election at which she ratified her Consti-
tuition, Republican in form; elected
Governor, members of Congress, State
Legislature and other officers required
The Governor was installed, the I.egisla.
ture met and passed all the acts then re,
quired of them BY the reconstruction ucts
Of Congress. Subsequently. however, in
violation Of the Constitution which they
had just ratified, (as since decided by the
Supreme Court Of the State) they unseat-
ed the colored members Of the Legislature
and admitted to their seats some members
who are disqualified by the Sd clause Of
the l4th Amendment, al article which
they themselves had contributed to ratify.
Under these circumstances. | would sub.
init TO you whether it would not be wise
without delay to enact law authorizing
the Governor Of Georgia to convene the
members originally elected to the LeeIs.
lature, requiring each to take the oath pre-
scribed BY the reconstruction acts. and
none be admitted who are Ineligible under
the Sd clause Of the l4sh Amendment
The freedmen. under the protection
which they have received. are making rap
i'd progress, No complaints are heard Of
q lack of industry on their part, when
they received fair remuneration for their
labor. "a
The means provided for paying the 10
terest on the public debt, with all other
expenses OF government, are more than
ample. The loss OF our commerce is only
the result OF the late rebellion, which has
not received sufficient attention from you
To this subject call your attention.
will not suggest plans by which this OBJ
ject may be affected, but will. II necessary,
make il the subject Of special message.
During the last session. Congress gave
authority TO the executive to order elec
tons in the States Of Virginia. Mississip
pi and Texas. and to submit to them the
Constitutions which each had previously
framed and TO submit the Constitutions
either entire or in separate parts to be vo.
ted upon, at the discretion OF the Execu-
tive. Under this authority, an election
was called in Virginia. The election took
place on the 9Th OF july. The Governor
aad Lieut.. Governor elected have been in.
stalled. The Legislature met and did all
required BY them BY this resolution aud
by all the reconstruction acts Of Congress,
and abstained from all doubtful authority.
! recommend that her Senators and Rep
resentatives be promptly admitted to seats,
and that the State be fully restored to its
place 10 the family Of States. Elections
were called IN Mississippi and Texas, to
commence on tho S0th Of November two
days Ia Mississippi and four days in Tex
as. The elections have taken place, but
the resalts are not known. 1t is hoped
that the acts of the Legislatures Of these |
States, when they meet. will be such a. 70
receive your approval and thus close the
work Of freconstruction.
Among the evils growing out Of DE re.
bellion and not yet referred to, Is that oil
IN irredeemable currency. It Is an evil
which / hope win receive your most earn
est attention, II Is a duty-and one Of
the highest duties-~of the government to j