The Republican journal., 1869-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

10 Le SeA"t@ ana House o. IopTeSeat0NtfS
In coming before you for the first time as Chief
Magistrate of this great nation. it is with gratitude
to the giver of all good, for the many benefits we
enjoy We are blessed with peace at home and are
without entangling alliances abroad to forebode
trouble With territory unsurpassed i'll fertility,
of an area equal to the abundant support of five
hundred millions OF people, and Astounding in every
variety of useful mineral. in quantity sufficient to
supply the world for generations, with cXuberant
crops. with variety OF climate adapted to the pro-
duction of every species OF Earhs riches, and suit
ed to the habits, tastes and requirements of every
living thing with population of 40,OO0,000 of Fl ec
people, all speaking one language with facilities
for every mortal to acquire an education. with in
>tuionS that close to none the avenue to fame or
any blessing or fortune that may he conceived. with
freedom of the pulpit, the press and the schools.
with a revenue flowing into the national Treasury
beyond the requirements of the government; hap
PLY. harmony is being rapidly restored within our
own borders, manufactures hitherto unknown IN
our country are Sprlnging up in all directions, pro-
ducmg degree of national independence unequa-
ed by that Of any other power. These blessings
and countless Others are entrusted to Your care for
the brief period OF our tenure OF Ot1ice-in short.
we must EACH of return to the ranks OF the peo-
pie who have conferred upon us our hOnors and
account to them for our stewardship. | earnestly
desire that neither You nor may be condemned
bv free and enlightened constituency. nor hv our
COnSciencoS.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Emerging from rebellion of gigantic maonitIJc
aided As it WAS by the sympathy and assistance of
nations with which we We're at peace-eleyen
states OF the Union having been four years ago left
without legal State governmentS-a national debt
having been onracted-.tmerican commerce hay
mg been almost driven from the seaS-the interest
of one half of the country having been taken from
onr control by capitallSts-thc work of restoring
state Governments loyal to the JMion-Of protect
lng and fostering free labor-and providing means
for paying the interest on the public ebt.-has re-
crWed ample attention from Congress. Although
our efforts have not met with the success in aj
hoe Al.
the whole. they have been more successful than
could have been reasonably anticipated. Seven
States have been fully restored to their places in
the Union. The eighth. Georgia. had an election
1T 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 Legisa-
lure met and performed all the acts then required
of them by the Reconstruction Acts of Congress
Subsequently, however. in violation of the consti-
tuition which they had Just ratified, as since de-
ciared by the supreme Court of the State they nm
seated the colored members of the Legislature and
admitted to seats some members who are liisquali-
lied by the second clause Of the l4th Amendment
10 the Constltuion an article which they them
selves had contributed to ratity. ndcr these cir
cumsanceS. ! would submit to you whether If
would not be wise without delay to enact A law
authorizing the Governor Of Georgia TO convene
the members originally elected to the LcoiSiatu,a
requiring these members TO take the oath prescrib-
ed by the Reconstruction Act. and none TO be ,d-
mittcd who are ineligible under the third clause Of
me lftn Amendment.
THE FREEDMEN AND THE REVENUE
The freedmen under the protection which they
have received, are making rapid progress in learn
ing, and no complaints are made OF lack of indus
try on their part when they received far remuncr-
alton for their labor.
The means provided for paving the interest ,f
the public debt with all Other expenses Of The goy
eminent are more than ample.
COMMERCE..
The loss OF our commerce is the only result of
the late rebellion which has moi received sufficient
attention from You. TO this subject | call yoIlr
earnest attention. will not now suggest plans hy
which the object my be effected hut win if ncccs
>ary make il the subject of special message nr-
ln% the session OF Congress.
VIRGINIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAs.
Al The March term Congress by Joint resolution
niihorzrd the Executive to order elections in the
stale OF irgna, Mississippi and Texas to sub
INIT to them the constitutions which each bad nro
Nlou>y in the convention framed, entire or in senor
ate parts to be voted upon at the discretion of the
Executive. Under this authority. elections ,voro
hcM. The Virginia election took place on ,be Glh
oil july, 1868: The Governor and Lieutenant-Coy
"lnor elected have been installed-the Legislature
mel and did all required by the resolution and bv
AL the reconstruction acts of Congress and abstain.
ed rom all doubtful authority. recommend that
her Senators and Representatives be admitted and
that the State be fully restored to its place in The
family of States. ~
Elections was called i'll Mississippi and Texas TO
commence on the 30th Of November. 1863, and TO
last two day in Mississippi and four days IN Tey-
Is. me elections have taken place but the results
are not known. IL Is to he hoped that the acts of
the Legislatures of these States when they meet
VIII he such rs to secure your approval and thus
close The work of reconstruction.
SPECIE PAYMENTS.
Among the evils growing out of the rebellion md
hot Net referred to, Is that Of an irrcdccmabe cur
renry. 1t is an evil which hope will receive vour
most earnest attention. 1t is duty, and one of |
The highest duties of Government to secure TO the
citizens medium of exchange of fixed. llnyarvinn
value This implies return to specia basic and no
substitute for it can be devised 1t should he com |
menred now and reached at the earliest practicable
moment consistent with fair regard to the infer |
est OF me debtor class. Immediate resumption i'll
practicable, would not be desirable Ii would com
pei the debtor class 10 pay beyond their coutracs
The premium on gold at the date of their purchase
md would bring bankruptcy and ruin to thousands
measure of all values, gold is detrimental to fine in
trre>t of trade. 1t makes the man of business m
involuntary gambler for in all sales where futI,rr
payment Is to he made. both parties speculate as to
what W he the value of the currency to be paid
ana received earnestly recommend to YOU, then. |
such legislation As will insure gradual return TO
specie payments and put an immediate ston TO |
huctuationS IN the value of currency. The methods
10 secure the former of these results are as numer
Gus Is are the Spccuations in political economy |
10 secure the latter but one way and that Is
10 authorize the Treasuryto redeem its own paper |
At Il liked price, wherever it is presented and to |
Withhold from circulation all currcn,.. 50 rpdcanad
IT..
hnlil II l. sold again for gold.
THE NATIONAL DEBr
HE VI>t resources of the nation both ,}evc,onoJ
AMI inteNcloped ought to make our credit the hest
on earth; with less burden of taxation than thc
itizenS have endured for six years past the entire
pubic debt could be paid in ten years but it is not
e>rabc that the people should be taxed to nav if |
N that time. Year by year the obilitv to pav in |
re;lSeS IN a rapid ratio; but the burden of interest |
ought to be reduced aS rapidly as can be done with
out the violation of contract. The public debt is
represented i'll great part by bonds having from
hearing Interest at the rate of six per cent and five
cent. respectively. II is optional with fine Govern
mcnt to pay these bonds at any period affer Tho nv
liratiOn Of the date mentioned upon their f,cc The
Time has already arrived when great part of them
may be taken up, and is rapidly approaching when
al may be. 1t is believed that those which are |
now due may be replaced by bonds bearing a rate
Of interest not exceeding 4 - per cent, and as |
rapidly as the remainder come due, that thcy may
De replaced III the same way. TO accomplish this
may be necessary to authorize the interest TO be
paid at either of the three or four money centres of
Europe. or by an Assistant Treasurer of the United
>taes at the option of the holder of of the bonds
suggest this subject for the consideration of Con-
greSs, and also simultaneously with this the Dro-
prety OF redeemlng our currency, as before seeest
ed al It's market value at the time the laws goes
INTO elect increasing the rate at which currency
VIII be bought and sold from day to day or week TO
week, at the same rate of interest As the govern
men pays upon its bonds.
TARIFF AND INTERNAL TAXATION
The subject of the tariff and Internal Taxation
will necessarily receive VOur attention vrbo no