The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-12-18
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
o the Senate and House Of Representatives ):

In coming before you for the first time as Chief
Magistrate of this nation, it is with gratitude to
the giyer of all good for the many benefits We en-.
joy. We are blessed with peace at home and are
without entangling alliance abroad, or trouble to
forbode. With territory unsurpassed in fertility
of AN equal to the abundant support of five
hundred millions Of people, and aboanding in ev-
cry variety of useful mineral in quantity sufi-
cient to supply the world for generations with
exuberant crops with variety of climate adapt-
ed the production efevery species of the earth's
produce, rich and suited to the habits tastes and
requirements of every living thing with a popu-
lation of forty millions of people, all spea king
language with facilities for every mortal to
acquire an education with institutions closing
to mono the avenues 30 fame or any blessing Of
fortune that may be coveted with freedom of the
pulpit. press and schools with d revenue flowing
into tho national treasury beyond the require
ments of the Government demand, harmony is
being rapidly restored within our borders anu
factures hitherto Unknown in our country are
springing up in all directions, producing degree
/ of national independence -unequallcd by that of
! any other power. These blessings and countless
others intrusted to your care and mine for the
brief period of our tenure of Office. In short
/ time we must each of return to the ranks of
/ the people who have conferred upon pow
/ ers. and account to Them for the stewardship.
earnestly desire thst neither you nor may be
/ condemned by frecand enlightened constituency,
nor by own coBseienees. We emerging
from rebellion of gigantic ma gntude 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 governments 81 debt had been contracted ;
| American commerce was almost driven from the
| seas tho industry of one-half the country had
been taken from the control of the capitalists and
placed where all labor rightfully belongs in the
keeping of the lahorcrs. The work of restoring
/ State governments loyal to the Union the pro-
tectng and fostering of labor and providing
means for paying lhe interest the public debt
| have received ample attention from Congress.
/ CONDITION GEORGIA.
Although your efforts have not met with the
success in all particulars that might have been
| desired. vet the whole they have been more
successful than could have been reasonably an
| ticipated Seven Of the States which passed the
/ ordinances of secession have been fully restored
/ to their places in the Union The eighth, Gcor-
/ gia, has held election at which she ratified a
constitution republican in form, elected Cover
! nor, members of Congress, and State Legisla-
ture, with all other officers required. The Cover
nor was duly installed. and the Legislature met
ard performed all the acts then required of them
by the reconstruction act of Congress. Snbse-
quently, however, in violation of the Constitution
she had Just ratified, since decided by the Su-
preIne Court of the State. they unseated the col
ored members of the Legislature, and admitted to
seats members who are disqualified by the third
clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in the Con-
stitution, articis which they themselves had
contributed to ratiy. Under these circumstances
l would submit no you whether it would not be
/ wise without delay to pass law authorizing the
Governor of Georgia TO convene the members
originally elected to the Legislature, requiring
each member to take the oath prescribed by the
reconstruction act this done, those not to be adj
mitted who ineligible under the Sd clause of
the 18th Amendment.
The freedmen under the protection they have
received, are making rapid progress in learning.
and no complaints beard of a lack of industry
ON their part when they receive fair renunera-
p. tion for their labor.
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 only result OF the rebellion
which has not received sufficient atteutlHn from
you. To this subject call your earnest atten-
ton. I will not now suggest the means by which
this object may be f-cted, but will if necessary,
make it the subject of a special message during
/ the session of Congress.
THE uxREcoNsrRrcrED STATES.
At the March term Congress by joint resolution
authorized the Executive to order an election III
the States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas, ut
which to be submitted the Constitution which
( each had previously in Convention framed, and
T these were to be Submitted either entire, or in
separate parts be voted upon, at the discretion
of the Executive. Under this authority elections
were called In Virginia the election took place
! on the 9th of July, 1862 Tho Governor elected
has been installed. The Legislature met and diot
all required by this resolution anu by ali the re,
/ construction acts of Congress, and have reiraned
I from all doubtful authority. recommend that
:, their Senators and Representatives be admitted,
and that the State be restored to its place IN the
family of States. Elections were called IN mis-
sissippi and Texas to commence on the ooth OF
! November and TO last two days in Mississippi and
four in Texas. The elections have taken place.
I but the result is not known 1t IS to be hoped
i that the Legislature of these States' when tney
meet, will be such to receive your appreciation
/ and thus close the work of reconstruction
THE CURRENCY.
Among the evils growing oueof the rebellion,
and not yet referred to. is that of an lrredeena-
| BILE currency. 1t is evil which nope Will re-
/ ceiye your most earnest attention. IL Is duty,
/ one of the highest of the duties of the Gorern-
! ment to secure TO the people medium OF tx
change of unvarying value Ihls lmples re-
| turn to specie basis, and no substitute Tor IL
can be devised. It should be commenced now
| and reached at the earliest practicable moment
consistent with fair regard to the interest OF the
debtor class. Immediate resumption, IL praetI-
i cable. would not be desirable Ii Wouid eotnPei
the debtor class to pay beyond their contracts the
I premium on gold at the date of their purchase,
| and would bring bankruptcy and rum TO thous-
ands. Fluctuation, however, IN INC papcI sa'.ue
of the measure of all value, gold, is detrimental
/ to the interest of trade. 1t makes the man OF
business an involuntary gambler Tor IN All safes
where future payment is to be made, besh PaftMle M
! speculate as to what will be the value OF the cur
i reney to he uaid and received i earnestly rec
ommend to you, then, such Legislation as WA M
/ sure q gradual return to specie payments anu pun
immediate stop to the hucfuatioh IA .ne value
! Of currency The methods to secure these re-
sults ara as numerous as are the speculations on
/ political economy. To secure the latter see pu'
one way, and that Is to order the Treasury 10 re-
4 deem its own paper at fxed prices whenever pre-
sen,ed aud 10 withhold from circulation all such
/ currency redeemed until sold again for gold The
vast resources of the nation, both deveiopeo ana
undeveloped, ought to make our credit inc a pes'
on the earth. With less burden, of taxation
thar, the citizen has endured for SIX years past
the entire public debt could he paid in ten years
but it is desirable that the people should not be
taxed to pay it in that time. Year by year tne
ability to pay increases in rapid fatio, pnt tne
] burden of interest ought to be reduced as rapidly
! as can be done without violating the contracts.
The public debt is represented IN great part ny
bonds having from fiye to twenty and ten 20 lorty
years to run bearing interest at the rate eI Pc,
cent. and per cent. respectively II Is optional
with the Gevernmentto to pay these bohas ~ hhs
period after the expiration of the last tune men
TONED upon their face. The time has assaay & ex,
pircd when a great part of them may De taken
up. and the time is rapidly approaching when all
| may be. It is believed that oil which are now
/ due may Be replaced by bonds bearing rate ol
interest notexceeding ~ per CENTS ana as Fapadiy
as the remainder becomes due, that tnpey may pe
renlaced ii tie same way. re accomplish this, i
may be necessary 70 authorize interest 20 pc pafa
at either of three four Of the money centres o
Europe or by any Assistant Treasurer Of the
United States 1t the option Of the holders Of the
bonds. Trecoinniend this subject to the cohsia.
20 fs..., rresa a.. also simultaneously with