Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-12-15
FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE OF
TTT,~SSES s GRA MT
Delivered December 9th, 1863.

wirh gratitude to the Giver of all Good Tor
the many benefits We enjoy. We are bless
ed with peace at home, and arc without en-
taneIiug alliances abroad 10 fOrbode trouble
with a territory unsurpassed In fertility, of
IN area equal to the abundant support or
5UO, 900, 900 Of people, and abounding IN ev-
erv variety Of useful minerals, IN quantity
sufficient to supply the world Tor generations;
with eyuberdnt crops; with variety of eli
mate, a iaptCd to the production OF every
speciez of earth : riches, and suited to the
habits tastes, and requirements of every
living thing; with a population OF 40, ,000,
U Jof free people. all speaking one language
Eirh facilities for every mortai to acquire an
education with Institutions closing 70 none
the avenues to fame or an yblessing Of for
tune that may be coveted with free 4Om OF
the pulpit, the press, and the school with
8 revenue flowing lGto the National IreaSu
~ teyCnd the requirements OF the Govern
lnrut, happily, harmony is being rapidly re
stored within our borders. Manufactures
hitherto unknown in our country are spring
ing up in all directions, producing b degree
e.. National independence uuequaled by that
81 aay other power. These blessings. and
countless others, are intFusted to your care
sni mine fer safe keeping, for the brief pc
nod g' our tenure Of office. In a short time
the people Who have conferred upon Us our
Louors, and ace ,unt to them for our stew
ardship. | earnestly desire that neither you
nor | may be condemned 10y free and en-
liCLtcncd constituency, nor by our cOnscleD
ccs.
RETROsPECTIvE-THE CASE OF GEORGIA
Emerging from a rebellion of gigantic
magnitude, aided as il was by the pathy
ard assistance of nations with {" h!ch we
we're n peace, eleven States OF the Union
were four years ago left without legal State
Governments; q natioaal debt had been con
tlacted, American commerce was almost
driven iron. the seas; the industry OF one
lalE Of the country had been taken from the
cui..r1i OF the capitalist anu placed where all
l.jur richtfuily belongs-in the keeping of
the lab0rcr. The work of restoring State
Governments loyal 10 the Union, Of protect
Ing and fostering free labor and providing
means for paying the interest on the public
debt has 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 wFOic, they
have been more successful tnan could have
been reasonably anticipated. Sevea States
which passed ordinances of secession nave
len fully restored To their places i'll the u
Eiou the eighth ttiegrgial held an election
Il; which she ratified her Constitution, re
publican IN form, elected Governor, mem
hers OF Congress, a State Legislature, and
al other officers required. The Governor
WIS duly Installed and the Legislature met
Gia performed al the acts thCu required ui
them by the RecUESiructio,. ACES Of Congress,
Subsequently, however, in violation OF the
CONSTITUTION which they had just ratified, as
succ decided ty The Supreme Court of the
Stste, they URSeated the cuiorcd members Of
the Legislature and admitted TO seats solne
members who are disqualified by the third
cause Of tie Fourteenth 4 amendment to the
tcurtiUUtinn-an article which they theHa-
se.ves had contributed to raiify. Under
these circumstances | would submit to you
whether it would not be wise, without delay,
tn enact law authorizing the Governor OF
GcoTHa TO gsnyrne the members originally
c.crrcd to The Legislature, requiring each
mcmaer to taae the oath prescribed by the
Reconstruction acts, and none to he admit
ted Who are ineligible under the third clause
ot the Fourteenth Amendment
The freedmen. under he protection which
they have received, are making rapid pro
gsess in learning, and no complaints are
hard Of lack Of industry on their pant when
tHcy received fair remuneration Tor their
.s5ur. The means provided for paying the
interest On the public debt with all other
EXPENSES OF the Government are more than
ample. The loss Of our commerce is the
oaiy result Of The late rebellion which has
NJ; received sufficient attention from you.
10 this subject / call your earnest attention.
viii NOT now suggest plans by which this
OBJECT may be effected, but will. il necessary,
BAKE It the subject Of a special message
cu'ng the session of Congress.
VIRGINIA. MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS.
At the herch term, Congress, 10y Joint
RESOLUTION authorized the Executive 10 or
Ger e-etu1as in the States Of Virginia, Ms
sN7jGi9, a.l Texas, TO submit TO them the
,"a,.l'urian- which each had previously in
Convention framed, either entire or in sepa
faIe parts. To be voted upon at the di>cre
t'1 "l the Executive Under this author
Hy e.tetIvu> were called In Virginia the
eeriipn took place on the 6,h OF July. 1863;
the Governor and Lieu;enant- q Governor have
Teen installed the LEGISLATURE met and did
!, required Icy This resolution and BY all the
LeeoH.uuc.on acts Of Congress, and al
''a-1et from all doubtful authority. | rec
'4atad itaJ her Senators and Representa-
:-'1S anu that the State be fully restored to
- place III The family Of States. Elections
wee ci..n' in Mississippi and Texas, 10 COM
'.'a-r or be 3Hch OF November. 1869, and
/. .a>t twu days IN Mississirri Gni four DAYS
" lrZaS- The elections have taken place,
u" the result Is net known. 1t is to be
ped that the acts of the Legislatures of
s's>e States, when they meet, viii be such
e q 10 receive your approval, and thus close
'.s FoIA OF reconstruction.
TIE CTERENCY-THE NATIONAL DEBT.
Among the evils growing out of the Re
l"gn, and not yet referred to, is that of an
TIsIeemlbe currency. l. Is an evil which
nope viii receive your most earnest atten-
Soa, II Is duty, and one of the highest
I1'ieS OF Government, to secure to the ciii
h'nN medium 0I exchange OF fixed unvsry
ing 'a1us. This implies return to a specie
'S,and 10 substitute for it en- be devised.
u should be commenced now, and reached
:: me earliest practicable moment consistent
Gih slih fair regard to the interests of the
1e'tor class. Immediate resumption, il
LFac'ieable, would not be desirable. 1t
:" 40 compel the debtor class to pay beyond
5Ielr contracts the premium on gold at the
IIag OF their purchase, and would bring
.@AAruptcy and ruin TO thousands. Fiuc-
s-4'loh, how ever, on the paper value OF the
measure Of all values, gold, is detrimental
the interests of trade. 1t makes the
% ;l-I OF business an involuntary gambler, for
- i al sales where future payment is to be
TAqe both parties speculate as TO what will