North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-12-08

Presidents Message.
WASHINGTON, December 6.
The following is the Message of the
President of the United States, delivered
to Congress at noon to-day:
THE MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
In coming before you for the first time
as Chief Magistrate Of this nation, 1t is
with gratitude to the Givsr Of All Good
for the many benefits We enjoy. We are
blessed with peace at home, and are with
out entangling alliances abroad to forbode
trouble. With territory unsurpassed in
fertility, of an area equal to the abundant
support of FIVE hundred millions of peo-
pie, and Astounding in every variety of
useful minerals, IN quantity sufficient to
supply the world for gems rations; with ex-
uberant crops, with a variety Of climate
adapted to the production of every spe-
cies of earth's riches, and suited to the
habits, tastes and requirements OF every
living thing, with a population Of forty
millions of free people, all speaking one
language; with facilities for every mortal
to acquire an education; with institutions
closing to none the avenues to fame or
any blessing of fortune that may be cove
ted; with freedom of pulpit the press and
the school; with revenue flowing into the
| national Treasury beyond the require
ments of Government supply. Harmony
is being rapidly restored within our own
borders. Manufacturers hitherto un-
known in our country are springing up in
all directions, producing degree of na-
tional independence unequaled by that of
| any other power. These blessings and
countless others are entrusted to your care,
and more, for safe keeping for the brief
period of our tenure.of- Office. In a short
| time we must, each of US, return to the
ranks Of the people who have conferred
| US our honors, and account to them for
our stewardship. earnestly desire that
neither you nor may be condemned Ey a
free and enlightened constituency, nor BY
our own coasciences.
Emerging from rebellion of gigantic
magnitude, aided, as it was, by the gyms
pathy and assistance of nations with
, which we were at peace, eleven States OF
the Union were four years ago left without
legal State Governments; debt had been
contracted; American commerce was al.
most driven from the seas; the industry of
one-half of the country had been taken
from the control of the capitalist, and
placed where all labor rightfully belongs,
in the keeping of the laborer. The work
of restoring State Governments loyal to
the Union, of protecting and fostering
free labor, and providing means for pay
ing the interest on the public debt, have
received ample attention from Congress.
Although your efforts have not met with
the success in all particulars that might
have been desired. yet, on the whole, they
have been moro successful than could have
been reasonably anticipated. Seven
States, which passed ordinances of seces-
sion, have been fully restored to their pla
ces in the Union. The eighth (Georgia)
held an election, at which she ratified her
Constitution republican in form, elected
Governor, members of Congress, State
Legislature, and all other officers required.
The Governor was duly Installed, and the
Legislature met and performed all the
acts then required of them by the recon
struction acts Of Congress. Subsequently,
however, in violation Of the Constitution
which they had just ratified, as since de- |
cided by the Supreme Court of the State, |
they unseated the colored members Of
Legislature and admitted to seats some
members who are disqualified by the third |
clause of the Fourteenth Amendment Of |
the Constitution-ln article which they |
themselves had contributed to Iatify. I'm |
der these circumstances l would submit to |
you whether it would not be wise, without !
delay, to enact a law authorizing the Gov
ernor of Georgia to convene the members |
originally elected to the Legislature, re-
quiring each member to take the oath |
prescribed by the Reconstruction act, and
none to be admitted who are Ineligible |
under the third clause of the Fourteenth |
amendment.
The freedmen, under the protection
which they have received, are making
rapid progress in learning, and no com.
plants are heard of lack of industry on
their part when they receive fair remun.
Grafton for their labor.
The means provided for paying the
interest on the public debt, with all the
other expenses Of the Government, are
more than ample. The loss of our COM
lnerce is the only result of the late rebel
lion, which has not received sufficient
from you. TO this subject l call
your earnest attention. l will not now
suggest plans by which the 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
authorized the Executive to Or
der an election in the States of Virginia,
and Texas, submitting the
which each had previously,
in Convention, framed and submitted.
The constitutions, either entire or in sep
nrate parts, to be voted upon at the dis
erection of the Executive. Under this
authority the elections were called. In
Virginia the election took place on the 9th
of July, 1869. The Governor and Lieut..
Governor elected, have been installed.
The Legislature met and did all required
by this resolution and by all the recon>
structi0n acts of Congress, and abstained
from all doubtful authority. recommend
that her Senators and Representatives be
admitted, and that the State be fully re.
stored to its place in the family of States.
Elections were called in Mississippi and
Texas, to commence on the Both Of Nov.
1869, and to last two days in Mississippi,
and four days in Texas. The elections
have taken place, but the result is not
known. 1t is to be hoped that the acts of
the legislatures of these States, when they
meet, will be SUCH as to receive your
and thus close the work Of
uction.
Among the evils growing out of the
rebellion, and not yet referred to, is that
Of an irredeemable currency. 1t is an
evil which hope will receive your most
earnest attention. 1t is a duty, and one
of the highest duties of the Government
to secure to the citizens a medium of ex-
change of fixed, unvarying value. This
implies its return to a specie basis, and no
substitute for it, can be devised. 1t should
be commenced now and reached at the
earlieat nracticahla moment consistent