The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

10 the ECWUtC uttS
q ~ eoripr before you for the first
$50 ~ Chief Magistrate OF this great
nation. il is with great gratitude to
the Giver of all good for the many
benefits we enjoy. We are blessed
with mace at home, and are with
ont entangliDg alliances abroad
m forebode trouble with q ter
ritory unsurpassed in fertility, OF
An area equal to the abundant. sup
mort Of Eve hundred millions OF peo-
ME. and Astounding IN every variety s.y
~ nsefI1l minerals in quantity sum
cient 10 supply the world for genera
tions with exuberant crops; with a va
r;etv ~ climate adapted to the produc-
zion Of every species of earths riches,
anil Snited to the habits, tastes and
rsauirements of every living thing;
1r;tb nopulation Of forty millions
of free people, all speaking one lam
enape. with facilities for every mortal
to acquire an education; with instl-
buttons closing to none the avenues OF
fame, or any blessing OF fortune that
may be coveted; with freedom OF the
pulpit, the press and the school; with
revenue flowing into the National
Treasury beyond the requirements OF
the Government. Peace and har-
mony Is being rapidly restored within
our own borders. Manufactures,
hitherto unknown IN our country, are
springing up in all directions, pro-
dueing degree of national iDdepend-
ence unequalled by that OF any
other power. These blessings and
countless others are entrusted 20
your care, and mine for safe
keeping for the brief perlod
Of our tenure Of office. In short
time We must each of us return to
the ranks Of the people, who have
conferred upon US our shonoTs, and
account to them for our stewardship.
T / earnestly desire that neither you
nor / may be condemned by
free and enlightened CONSTITUENCIES,
or by our own consciencies. Emerg-
inp from q rebellion OF gigantic
magnitude, aided, as it was, by the
sympathy and assistance of nations
with which we were at peace,
Eleven States Of the Union were, four
years ago, left without legal State
Government; debt had been con.
tracted: American commerce had
been driven from the seas; the indus
try Of one. half the country had been
taken from the control of the capt.
talist and placed where all labor
rightfully belongs-in the Keeping ct
the laborer. The work 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 Congress.
Although your members have not met
with the success in all particulars that
might have been desired, yet, on the
whole, they have been more successful
than could have been reasonably an
ticipated. 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, republican
in form, elected Governor, members
Of Congress, a State Legislature and
all the other officers required 60 gov
ern. was duly installed, aud the Legls-
lature met and performed all the acts
then required of them by the recon-
structiOn acts of Congress. Subse-
auentIv. however, In violation of the
Constitution which they had just Tati-
fed, as since decided by the Supreme
Court Of the State, they unseated the
colored members of the Legislature
and admitted to seats some members
who arc disqualified by the third
clause Of the Fourteenth Amend
ment to the ConstitutiOn-an article
which thew themselves had contrib
uted to ratify. Under these oircum-
stances, | would submit to you
whether it would not be wise without
delay to pass a law authorizing the
Governor of Georgia 20 convene the
members originally elected to the
Legislature, requiring each mem
Der 10 take the oath pre-
sented 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
they have received, are making rapid
progress in learning, and no COM
plants. arc heard Of lack Of indus
try on their part when they receive
fair remuneration for their labor.
The means provided for paying the in
terest on the public debt, with all 9TH
er expenses of Government, are more
than ample. .ata.e
The loss of our cOmmrece is
the only result of the late re,
belliOn, which has not received
sufficient attention from you.
To this subject call your earnest at
tention. 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, author
lied the Executive to order an
election In the States of Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas, to submit to
them the constitutions which each
had IN convention previously framed,
and submit the constitution, either
entire, or IN separate parts, to be
voted on at the discretion of the Elk
ecutive. Under this authority, cleo
tons were called. In Virginia, the
election took place on the 9th of July,
1869. The Governor and Lieut.. Cover
nor elected have been installed. The
Legislature met, and did all required
by this resolution and BY all the re-
construction acts, and abstained from
all doubtful authority. l recommend
that her Senators and Representatives
and the State be fully restored to Its
place IN the family of States. An elec-
ton was called in Mississippi and
Texas, to commence on the Both of N
vember, 1859, aud to last two days il
Mississippi and four days in Texas.
The elections have taken place, bui
the result is not known. 1t Is TO Be-
hoped that the acts Of the Leqisla
lures Of these States, when they meet
viii be such as. to receive your appro
baton, and thus close the work q