The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-12-10
) PRESIDENTS MENSIGB.
70 the Senate and House Of Rfpresen-
fatires,

at home, and are without entangling
alliances abroad to forebode trouble
with a territory unsurpassed in fertil-
itv, Of an area equal to the abundant
support of 500, ,00O, 900 of people, and
abounding in every variety of useful
minerals 10 quantity sufficient TO sup
ply the world for generations with
exuberant crops with a variety Of
climate adapted to the production Of
every species Of eartb's riches, and
Suited to the habits, tastes and re-
qdirements of every living thing
with a population of forty millions Of
free people, all speaking one language;
With facilities for every mortal to ac-
quire an education with institutions
closing to none the avenues to fame
or any blessing or fortune that may
n be-coveted /; with freedom of the pull
y pit, the press and the school /;
With a revenue flowing into the na-
tional treasury beyond the req uire-
ments of the government supply.
Harmony is being rapidly restored
within our own borders, manufactures
hitherto unknown in our country are
springing up in all directions, pro-
ducing a degree of national indepen-
sdence unequalled by that of any 9th
! er power. These blessings and count
less others are entrusted to your care,
and more for safe keeping for the
brief period Of your tenure of Office.
In short time we must each Of us
return to the ranks of the people,
who have conferred upon US our hon
ors, and account to them for our
stewardship. I earnestly desire that
neither you nor 1 may be condemned
by free and enlightened eonstitu-
sncy, nor by our own conseiences.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Emerging from a rebellion of gi-
gantic magnitude, aided, as it was, by
the sympathy and assistance Of ma
tions with which we were at peace,
eleven States of the Union we're, four
years ago, left without a legal state
government, national debt had been
contracted, American commerce was
almost driven from the seas, the in
dustry Of one-half of the country had
been taken from the control of the
capitalist and placed where all labor
rightfal1y belongs, in the keeping of
the laborer. The works Of restoring
state governments loyal TO the Union,
of protecting and fostering free labor
and providing means for paying the
interest on the public debt, has re-
ceiVed ample attention from Con-
grcss.7 Although your efforts have
not met with the success in all par
tieulars that might have been desir-
ed, yet, on the whole, they have been
more successful 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 her constitution, rspubli-
can in form, elected q governor, mem
r bers Of Congress, state Legislature
and all other officers required. The
governor was duly installed, and the
legislature met and performed all the
acts required of them by the re-
construction acts of Congress. Sub
sequently, however, in violation Of
the constitution which they had just
ratified, as since decided by the su-
preme court of the state, they unseat-
ed the colored members of the legis-
lature and admitted to seats some
members who are disqualified by the
third clause of the fourteenth amend
ment to the constitution, an article
which they themselves had contribut-
ed to ratify. Under these circum-
stances, 1 would submit to you wheth-
er it would not be wise without de-
lay to enact q law authorizing the
governor Of Georgia to convene the
members originally elected to the Leg
islature, requiring each member to
take the oath prescribed by the re
construction act and none to be ad-
mitted who are ineligible under the
third clause of the fourteenth amend
ment. The freedmen, under the pro-
lection which they have received, are
making rapid progress in learning,
and no complaints are heard of any
lack of industry on their part when
they receive fair remuneration for
their labor.
LOSS TO AMERICAN COMMERCE.
The means provided for paying the
interest on the public debt, with all
the other expenses of the government,
are more than ampls. The loss of
! our commerce is the only result of
the late rebellion which has not re-
ceivsd sufficient attention from you.
To this subject shall call your earn
est attention. 1 will not now sug-
gest plans by which this object may
be effected, but will, if necessary,
make it the subject Of special mes
sage during the session of Congress.
VIRGINIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS.
At the March term, Congress by
Joint resolution, authorized the exec
utive to order elections in the states
of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas,
10 submit to them the constitutions
which each had previously, in con-
vention, framed, and submit the con-
stitntion, either entire or in separate
parts, to be voted upon at the discre-
tion of the Executive. Under this
authority elections were called. In
Virginia the election took place on
the 9th ofJuly, 1869. The governor
and lieutenant governor elected have
been installed, the legislature met
and did all required BY this resolu-
ton and by all the reconstruction
acts of Congress, and abstained from
all doubtful authority. Ireeommend
that her Senators and Representa-
tiyes be admitted, and that the state
be fully restored to Its place in the
family of states Elections were call
ed in Mississippi and Texas to com
mence on the 30th of November,
1869, and to last two days in Missis-
sippi, and four days in Texas. The
elections have taken place but their
result is not known. 1t is to be hop
sd that the acts of the Legislatures of
these states, when they meet, will be
such as will meet your approval, and
thus close the work of reconstruction.
THE RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENT.
Among the evils growing out Of
the rebellion and not yet referred to
is that ofan irredeemable currency.
It is an evil which 1 hope will receive
your most earnest attention. It is a
duty, and one of the highest duties
Of the government, to secure to the
citizens medium of exchange of fix
ed, unvarying value. This implies
return to specie basis, and no sub
stituts Tor it cen be devised. 1t
should be commenced now and reach
ad af the oarliast or,at;oo lie rnou,anf