The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
, The Senate and House Of Repre,snfqtirss I.


Tn coming before you for the first time as
Chief Magistrate OF this great nation, il ia with
great gratitude 10 The GiVer of all good for the
many benefits we enjoy. We are blessed with
peace at home, and are without entangling ALI
ances abroad to foment trouble. With terri.
tory unsurpassed in fertility, of an area equal to
the abundant support of five hundred millions
of people, and aboundiag In every variety of use
fnl mineral In quantity sufficient to supply the
world for generations with exhuberant crops,
with a variety of climate adapted to the produc-
tion of every species Of earth riches and suited
to the habits tastes and requirements of every
living thing, with population, OF 1000 00G
Of free people, all speakinS one language. with
facilities for every mortal TO acquire an educa-
tion, with institutions closing to none the avenues
TO fame or any bless ing of fortune that may be
coveted. with freedom Of pulpit, the press and
the school. with revenue flowing into the Ma
tional Treasury beyoud The requirements of gov
| ernment supply haTmoDy is being rapidly re-
STORED within our own borders Manufactures
hitherto unknown In our country are springing
up in all directions, producing degree Of ma
| tional independence nnequaied by any other
power These blessings and countless others
are entrusted to your care, and more, for safe
keeping Tor the brief period Of our tenure of
office. In short time we must each of us re-
luln to the ranks Of the people. who have con-
| ferred upon us our hOnOrs, and account TO them
for our ewardship. l earnestly desire neither
| you nor may be condemned by free aud en-
ligh tened constituency, nor by our own con-
| science. ....
Emerging from n rebellion of gigantic mag
nitude, aided as It was by the syrlipathies and
| assistance of nations with which we were at
peace, eleven States of The Union We're. four
| years ago, left without legal State Governments,
a debt had been contracted, American commerce
was almost driven from tie seas, the industry
Of one half Of the country had been taken from
| the control Of the capitalist, and PLACED where
all labor rightfull beongs--in the keeping of
| the labOrer. The wOlk of restoring the State
| Governments loyal to The UuiOn, OF protecting
and fostering flee labor and providing means
| for paying the interest on the public debt has
received ample attention from Congress, al
though your me mhers have not met with the
success in all part iculaTs that might have been
desired. Yet on Tie whole they have been more
successful than could have been reasonably an
| ticipaled Seven tales which passed ordinances
Of secession have been fully restored to their
places in the Union. On the 9Th Georgia held
an cleo ti0n, at which she ratified her Constilu-
tion, republican in form, elected Governor
members Of Congress, State Legisla ture, aud
ull other Otfic icers required. The Governor was
duly Installed. ana he Legislature met and per-
formed all The acts then quirrd Of them by the
reconstruction acls Of Congress. Subsequently
they had just ratified, as since decided by the
Supreme Court Of The State, they unseated the
cOlOred members Of The Legislature, aud admit
| ted 10 seats some members who aFe disqualified
by the third clause Of the 14th Anne nument to
the Constitu ton, an article W hich they them
selves had contributed to ratify. Under these
| circumstances | would submit To you whether
! it would not be wise without delay to pass q law
AUTHORIZING the Governor OF Georgia TO convene
the members origlna lily elected 10 the Legisla-
ture requiring each men ber 10 take the oath
prescribed by The Re construction act, aud none
| to be admitted who are Ineligible under the
third clause of The Fourteenth Amendment.
The freedmen under the protection which
| they have received, are making rapid progress
in learning, and no complaints are heard Of the
lack of industry on their part when they re eeiye
\ fair remuneration for their labor. -..... ss..
The me Ms 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 only result of the late
rebellion which has not receiv sufficient at
/ tenlon from you. To this subject call your
earnest attention. | will not now suggest plans
by which this object may be etft cted, but WILLIE
neces sarv, make IL The subject of a special mes
4! sage during the session Of Congress.
At the March term Congress, by joint resolu-
tiOn, authorized the Executive tn order nn cleo
tion in the States Of Virginia, Mississippi and
Texas, and to submit to them the Constitution
which each had previously in convention framed.
md 10 submit the Constitution either entire or in
separate parts, to be voted on at the discretion
OF the Executive. Under tn is authority elections
were called In Virginia the election took place
1 on the 9th Of july 1869. The Governor aud
Lieutenant Governor elected have been Installed,
The Legislature met and did all required by this
resolution and BY all the Reconstruction acts Of
| Congress, and abslaned from all doubtful au-
thOrity. / recommend that her Senators and
Representatives be admitted, and that the State
he fully restored TO It's place in the family OF
States. Elections were called in Mississippi and
Texas to commence on the 30th of November,
| 1869 and to last two DAYS In Mississippi and
four DAYS In Texas The elections have taken
place, but the result is not Known. It is TO be
hoped that the acts Of the Legislatures of these
States when they meet will be such as to receive
your appreciation and thus close the work OF
| reconstruction.
Among the evils growing out of tue rebellion
and not yet referred to is that of an irredeema-
bic currency. II is an evil which hope will
receive your most earnest attention. II Is q
duty and one of the highest duties of the Gov
ernment to secure to the citizens a medium OF
exchange of fixed, pnvNrying value. This iD-
plies return 10 specie basis, aud no subSti-
Iule for it can be devised. 1t should be com
menced now and REACHED At the earliest practical
bic moment. consistent with fair regard TO the
interest of thedebto class. Immediate resump-
tiOn. If piactble, would not be desirable. II
would compel the debtor class to pay beyond
their contract the premium on z I'D at the date
ot their purchase, and would bring bankruptcy
aud ruin TO Thousands, Fluctuations, however,
in the paper value Ot the mGl sure OF all values
OF gold Is detrimental to the interests of trade.
Ii makes tile man Of business an involuntary
| ttt11 I,laH In ull lgtfl4g Mlnn "A
is to be made, both parties speculate as 70 what
will be the value OF the currency to he paid aud
received. earnestly recommend to YOU, then,
such legislation swill insure gradual return
10 specie payments and TO Iut an Immediate
stop 10 hucluaC ion in The value Of currency
The method 10 secure these results are rs nuWeE
Ous as are the SPECTATORS on polltlcal economy
To secure the latter see but Que way, and thai
Is to authorize the treasury to. redeem It's, owu
paper ut a fixed price whenever presented; 10
wllhuld from circulation all such cui rency re-
deemed until sold again for gold. The vast
I resources of the nGton, both developed anc
! undtveOpId, ought 10 make our credit the bes
on earth. WIN less burden Of taxation than tht
citizen has endured for six years past the e1tlrI
public debt could BE- paid IN ten years, but 1t Il
not desirable that the people should he taxed Il
pay It in that line year by sear: Tue pbiit,
10 Iay increases IN rapid ratio, but the burden
of interest ought TO De reduced rs rapidly a,
can be done Without the violation of cOhtract
The public debt isreprcsenled Is In great part b.,
i bonds having from live 10 twenty, aud from tel
to fLrtl years to run bearing interest w The
/ rate Of per cent. aud five per cent.respectlvely
1t is optional with Tile Government 10 pay Lhes,
bonds ut ANY period after the expiration Of tht
last time mentioned upon their lace. The timC
is rapidly approaching when all may be. IL Is
believed that all which are now due IN y be re,
placed by bonds bearing rate OF Interest not
exceeding Ak per cent, aud us rapidly rs the
remainder culnts due and they may W replaced
in the same way. 10 accomplish this IL may Dy
necessary To aulhorizv Tie interest tO be pad at
either Of three or four money centers oi Europe