Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WARRINGTON December 8.


Maristrate of this nation. 1t is with gratitude to
inc Giver OF All Good tor the many Dement'S we
enjoy We are blessed with peace at nome, ana
are without entangling alliances abroad 10 LOT
bodc trouble. With territory unsurpassed in
fertility of an area equal TO the abundant sup-
mort of five hundred millions OF people, ana
Astounding In every variety OF useful minerals, In
quantity sufficient to supply the world TOT gener.
ations; with luxuriant crops, with variety OF
climate adapted TO the production OF every spe-
cies of earth's riches, and suited to the habits,
tastes and requirements ofevery living thing, with
population of forty millions OF free people, all
speaking one language; with facilities for every
mortal 70 acquire an education; with institutions
closing TO none the avenues TO fame or any piess'
ing OF fortune that may be coveted with freedom
of the pulpit, the press and the SCHOOLS; VIII
revenue flowing into the National Treasury be-
You'd the requirements of the Government sup
ply; harmony Is being rapidly restored within
our own borders. Manufactures hitherto I'M
known IN our country are sprngng up ID an ul-
rections producing degree OF national inde.
pendcnce unequaled by that OF any other power.
These blessings and countless others are entrust-
ed to your care, and mine, and Tor the sale keep'
ing for the brief period OF our tenure oi-ofnce
In short time we must, each OF us, return TO the
ranks of the people who have conferred upon us
our honors, and account TO them Tor our Stew
ardship. earnestly desire that neither you nor
may be condemned by free and enlightened con-
stituency, nor by our own condolences,
Emerging from rebellion of gigantic magni
tudc, aided. as IL was by the sympathy and assist
anoe Of nations with whom We were at peace,
eleven states OF the Union were, four years ago.
lett with out legal State Governments; debt had
been contracted American commerce was almost
driven from the seas the INDUSTRY OF one nan me
cooutry had bean taken from the control OF tho
capitalist, aud placed where all labor rlghuuly
belongs. In the keeping OF the laborer, The
work OF restoring the State Governments loyal to
ths Union Of protecting and fostering free labor
aud providing means for paying the interest on
the public debt, has received ample attention
from Congress Although your efforts have not
met with me snccess In all particulars that might
have been desired yet, on the whole, they nave
been more successful than could have been rea.
sOnably anticipated, Seven states whlcn passed
ordinances Of accession, have been fully restored
80 taeir y, aces IN the Union. The eighth (Geor-
gial held an election at which she ratified her
Constitution republican in form, elected GOV
error, members OF Congress. aState Legislature,
and all otnar officers required, The Governor
was duly installed and the Legislature met and
performed all the acts required OF them by the
reconstruction acts OF Congress Subseq nently,
however, In violation OF the constitution
which they had just ratified, as since
decided by the Supreme Court OF the State, they
upseateG the colored members OF the Legislature
and admitted 10 seats some members who are
disqualified by the third clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment Of the CONSTITUTIONAL article which
they themselves had contributed to ratify. Under
these circumstances ! would submit 10 you
whether IL would not he wise, without delay,
90 enact law authorizing the Governor OF
Georgia TO convene the members originally elect
ed to the Legislature, requiring each member to
take The oath prescribed by the Reconstruction
act, and none TO be admitted who are inelligbe
under the third clause OF the Fourteenth Amend
ment.
The freedmen, uuder the protection which they
have received are making rapid progress in learn
ing, and no complaints are heard OF lack OF indus
try on their part when they receive fair remunera-
The means provided for paying the interest on
The public debt, v!,h all the other expenses OF
the Government, are more than ample The loss
OF our commerce Is the only result OF the late re-
bclhon which has not received sufficient attention
from you To this subject | call your earnest at
tintion. will not now suggest plans by which
this object may be effected, but viii, If necessary,
make 1t the subject OF special message during the
ecsson OF Congress,
At the March term, Congress, by joint resolution,
authorized the Executive to order an election In
the States OF Virginia, Mississippi and Texas, sub
uuttiug the constitutions, which each had previous
" IN Convention, framed and submitted the con
Gutiuus, either entire or in separate parts, TO be
voted upon ne the discretion of the Executive.
Mnder this authority the elections were called. In
Virginia the election took place on the 9th olJuy,
lSe9 The Governor and Lieutenant Governor
slected have been installed. The Legislature met
aud did al, required by this resolution and by all
the reconstruction acts of Congress, and abstancd
Homall doubtful authority. recommend that her
senators and Representatives be admitted and that
the state be July restored TO tspace in the family
OF states Elections were called In Miss ssippi and
Texas, to commence on the Both of November,
1869 and to asst TWO days In Mississippi and four
days Ia Texas The elections have taken place but
the result il not known. 1t Is to be hoped that
The nets OF the Legislatures of these States, when
they meet VIII be such ~ to receive your approba-
lion, and thus close the work OF reconstruction,
Amoag The evils growing oat of the rebellion,
aud NOT YET referred to, IA hAt of an irredeemabe
currency, u Ia an evil which hope will receive
your attention II is Il duty, aud one Of the high.
est duties OF the Government to SECURE TO the
,Citlycns medium Of exchange 0s liked unyaryng
vsluc This implies It's return TO specie basis,
and nospDsthue for it can be devised. 1t should
he commenced now and reached at the earliest
practicable moment consistent with fair regard to
the interest OF the debtor class Immediate rcsump-
ton, II practicable, would not be desirable II
would compel the debtor class 10 nay beyond their
contracts, the premium gold ut the date of their
purchase and would bring bankruptcy and ruin to
Thousands Fluctuations, however, In the paper
value of the measure OF all alucs-god-s detri
mental to the interests of trade. II makes the man
OF business an involuntary gambler, for in all sales
when the future payment Is to DO made, both parties
speculate as . what will be the value OF the cur.
rcncy to be paid and received | earnestly recon-
mend to You, then. such legislation as will insure
gradual return 20 specie payments, and put mn I'M
mediate stop 10 fluctuations in the value OF the cur
rcncy The methods 20 secure either of these re.
suits are ne numerous as arc the spectators on POI
iitica economy To secure the latter see but one
way, and tha, is to authorize the Treasury TO ro.
deem ~ own paper ~ n liked price Whenever pre-
icncy redeemed until sold again for gold The vast
resource. OF tie nation, both developed and
undcyelopad, eaght to make our credit the
hest on carte. With less burden of tax
alton lhan the citizen has endured for
NiS years past he entire pubic debt could be
paid IN ten years but II il no, desirable that the
people should he taxed TO pay II in that time Year
by year the ABILITY to pay Increases In q rapid ratio
hut the harden OF Interest ought to be reduced as
rapidly a. can be done withou, the violation OF con
tract The puhc debt is represented In a great
part by bonds. having from ave to twenty and nom
ten TO tosty years to run, Bearing interest At the rate
OF SIX per cent. and hye per cent respectively 1t
Asop,iona. with the Government to pay these bonds
re any period amer the expiration OF the least time
mentioned upon their face. The time has already
eApuNd when good part OF them may be taken
hp. The tine Is rapidly approaching when all may
be. II Is believed that all which are now due may
hn replaced by bonds bearing rate of interest not
exceeding tour and altpcroent. and "a rapidly a.
the remainder becomes due they may be replaced in
thc wmeway, T0accomplish thist may be necessary
10 authorize the interest 10 be paid a either OF the
three or four OF the money centres of Europe or hy
auy Assistant Treasurer OF the United states at the
option OF the holder OF the bond | sugges, this
Huhict Tor he consideration of Conpr,as. also Al