The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
INTRODUCTION.

home and are without entlnglng alliances
abroad 10 forrbcie trouble. With a territory
unsurpassed in fertility, Of an AREA equal to the
abundant support Of five hundred millions OF
people, and Astounding in sufficient minerals TO
supply the world for generations, with exubcr-
ant crops, with ayarigty Of climate adapted to
the production Of every species OF earth's
riches, aud SUITED To the habits, tastes and re-
quirements Of every living thin, with sPopu-
htion Of 10000, cv OF free people, all speaking
one language, with facilities for every mortal 10
ac,uirc IN V-iacs,,en, with institutions -cses'ng
20 none the avenues to fame or any blessing or
fortune that may be conceived, with freedom OF
the pplpt, the prvss anil the schools, with an
avenue flowing Into the national treasury be-
yond tho rcquirments Of the government, hap
ply harmony is being rapidly restored within
our own borders, manufactures hitherto IN
kDosn in cur eoahtry are spr,Dging mp IN al
directions here, producing degree VI national
independence uneluallel by that VI any other
power. These blessings AMI countless others
are entrusted to your care asa mice for safe
keeping for the brief perioi of our tenure Of Of
fec. In short. We must each Of Us retum 10
tho ranks OF the people. Who have couierrcd up
Ca US our honprs, and account To them for our
stewardship. earnestly desire that neither
YOU ntr mhy be Condemned by free and en-
lshtepcl constituency nor by our own eon-
sciCnces- ...-r.
Er-oSsrrucrIoN.
.Emerylny frum rebellion OF gigantic mag
nituie, aiinel NJ IL WAS by tho sympathy AMI
assistance uf nations with which We were at
relce, eleven States Of the Union were four
years ago lclt without legal State governments,
n national debt hal been contracted, anil Amer
lean commerce was alu,ost driven from the seas,
tho iatcres, Of one half Of the country hal been
taken froIn the o0R:rOl VI capitalists aud placed
where al labor rishtlally belongs, in the keep
in.: of labor. tbs wpEk OF restoring State gov
cruments loyal u the Union, Of protecting AMI
fostering free labor AMI providing means for
piyins the interest on the public debt has re
ceiyel ample attention from Congress although
your efbrtS have not me, with the succcss in all
particulars that might have been desired. Yet,
on the whole. they have bsen moro successful
than conll have been reasonably anticipated.
Seven States have beca fally restored TO their
place in the Union. r. ..t ."H#. .r.mr nd.
TIN CASE oT GEORGIA.
The eighth. Georgia had an election at which
she ratihcl her constitution, republican In form,
ciectcl governor, members OF Congress, State
Legislature, aul al other officers required. The
Governor was duly installed and the Legislature
met and performed all the acts then requirui OF
them by. the recolstr,iction acts Of Congress.
Subsequently,, however. i'm violation VI the Con-
stitutiou, which they hal just ratified. rs since
decided BY the Supreme Court Of the State, they
unse,tcl the colorcl me;uborS Of the Legislature
and admitted to seats SOME members who are
disqualified Ivy the second clause Of the 18th
amendment 20 the COnstitut on. an article
which they themselves had contributed to rat
ify.
Unlcr these circumstances would submit to
YOU whether Il would not he wise without delay
10 enact u law authorizing the Governor OF
Georgia TO convene members originally elected
90 the Legislature, requiring these members
10 take the oath prescribed by the reconstruc-
ton net, and none to he admitted who are in
eligible under the 81 clause Of the lith amend
ment.
CONDITION or TIE FREEDMEN.
The freedmen under the protection which they
have received are making rapid progress in
lclrnipg, and no complaints are made OF lack
Of industry ON their part when they reeeiyed
due remuneration for their labor. -,
prMSE OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.
The means provided for paying the interest Of
the public debt with all other expenses Of the
government are more than ample The loss OF
our, commerce Is the only result OF the Late re-
lullion which has not recei,el sufficient atten-
ton from yGi. 10 this subject call your ear
nest attention. i will not now suggest plans by
which the object may be effected, but viii, IL
necessary, make II the subject OF special mes
slsc Il .riBS the session Of ConsresS.
Tue SOUTHERN ELpcrioSs.
At the March tern, Cougress, hy joint reSolu-
ton, au,l,critrl the Executive to opler elections
ia the Stats 81 Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas,
a. submit 10 them the constitutions which each
hli previously In convention framed, and sub
init the constitution. either entire or in separate
parts, On be voted upon at the discretion u the
Executive. 'r ... ....
Under this authority elections were called.
IN Virginia the election took place ON the 9th Of
July, 1869. The Governor AMI Lieutenant Gov
cr.,Or clcctel have Len installed. The Legisla-
iurc met AMI iii AZ rcquirSl by the resolution,
AMI by AL the reconstruction acts Of COngress
aul abstaiuol f.U,u all doubtful authority. L
rv>,omuienl that her senators and l,cpreSonta-
tyCs DC admitted. anil that the State he
fully restored TO its place in the family OF
itCs.
Elections were cillcl In Mississippi and Texas
e. commence ON the 3Dth of November, 1869,
aud 10 last two DAYS in Mississippi, anil four
days In Texas. The elections have taken place,
bit the results are not known. II is to be
hOpcl that the legislatures OF these States, when
they met, will DO suCh rs to secure your APP
pgOyal anl thus complete the work OF recon-
siguctiOn. ..r.
RESUMPTION or srEcIE PAYMENT
Among the evils growing out Of the rebellion
and not yet referred 10 IS tlrat Of an irrclecrna-
blc currency. II Is an evil which | hope will
receive your most earnest attention. IL Is q
duty and ono % the highest duties Of govern
Incnt 20 sccdrc 10 the citizens medium of ex-
change OF ixcl, unvarying values. This i'm
plies a return to "A spscie basis and no substitute
loo il eau he devised II should be commenced
now and reached at the earliest practicable mo-
mcnt consistent with fair regard to the inter-
c,is Of the debtor class. Immediate resumption
IL practicablc, would not be desirable. It would
compel the debtor class to pay beyond their con-
tracts, the premium Of gold at the date Of their
purchase, aud would bring bankruptcy and ruin
10 thousands.
Fluctuations, however. In the paper value Of
the measure Of all values, gold, Is detrimental
To .he interests Of trade. Il makes the man Of
business an involuntary gambler; Tor in all
sales when future payment is 10 he male both
parties speculate as 10 what will be the value OF
tins ourrsney 10 be paid aud received.
I earnestly recommend to you, then, such
legislation as will insure gradual return to
snoSie payment and put an immediate stop to
fluctuations in the value Of currency. The
methods to secure the former Of these results arc
as numerous as are the speculstions on political
economy. To secure the latter | sec but one
way, and that is TO authorize .he treasury 10
reissm its own paper at ixel price whenever
!. Is presented, and To withhold from circulation
nj, currency 50 redeemed until il Is sold again
for gold . r..r .--r.
ruE NATIONAL pEbr.
The vast resources Of tho nation. both dcvel-
opci and undcyelopcl, ought to make our
crcSlit the best on earth. With less burden Of
taxation than our citizens had endured for six
years past the entire public debt could he
paid in ten years, bat Il Is not desirable that the