The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
W ASHlNGroN. December 6, 1869.

nation. 1t IS with gratitude to the Elrer
of all Good for the many benefits We en-
joy. care blessed with peace at lone.
and are without entangling alliances
abroad tn tiorbode trouble: with'a terri
tory unsurpassed in fertility; oi an area
equal to the abundant support nf five
hundred millions of people, and abound
ing i'll every variety Of useful minerals,
in quantity sufficient to supply the world
| for generations; with cxrbcrant crops
with 4 variety of climate adapted to the
! production of every species Ot earth 5
riches: and suited to the habits, tastes
and requirements of every living thing
with Il population of forty millions OF
! free people, all speaking one language,
with facilities for every mortal to acquire
an education; with institutions closing
! to none the avenues to falnc, Or any
blessing of fortune that may he coveted 4;
with freedom of the pulpit,tiie press and
the school. With revenue flowing in
to the National Treasury beyond the re
quremcnts of the Government support.
Harmony is being rapidly restored with
III our own borders Manufactures hiths
erto unknown Ill our country are spring
ing up in all directions, producing de
gree of rational independence unequalled
by that of any other power. These bles-
sings, and countless others, are cntrust-
ed to your care, and more for safe keep
ing for the bfief period Of our tenure
of-oilice 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 for our stewardship.
! l earnestly desire that neither you or l
may be condemned by free and en-
llghtened constituency, nor by our own
conscience. Emerging from rebellion
of gigantic magnitude, aided as it was
by the sympathy and assistance Of na-
tons with which we were at peace elev-
en- States of the Union were four years
ago left without legal State Government
a debt had been contracted; American
commerce was almost driven from the
seas; the industry Of one-halt of the
country had been taken from the control
of the capitalists and placed where all
labor iiglItfully belongs, in the keeping
of the laborer. The work of restoring
State Governments loyal to the Union,
of protecting and fostering free labor
and providing means for paying the in
terest on the public debt, has received
ample attention from Congress. AL
though your efforts have not met with
the success in all particulars that might
have been desired; yet, on the whole,
they have been more successful than
could have been reasonably anticipated
Seven States, which passed ordinances
of secession, have been fully restored to
their places in the Union The eighth,
Georgia, held an election at which she
ratified her constitution-Republican in
form-elcctcd 4 Governor, members of
Congress, State Legislature, and all
other officers required. The Governor
was duly installed, and the Legislature
met and performed all the acts therein
required of them by the reconstruction
acts of Congress. subsequently, how
ever, in violation of the Constitution,
which they had just ratified as since de
cided by the Supreme Court of the State,
they unseated the colored members of
the Legislature and admitted to seats
some members who are disqualified by
the third clause Of the 14th Amendment
20 the Constitution, an article which they
themselves had contributed to ratify.--
| Under these circumstances | would sub
init TO you whether it would not be wise,
without delay, to enact law authorizing
the Governor of Georgia to convene the
members originally elected to the Leg
islature, and requiring each member to
take the oath prescribed by the recon
struction act, and none to he 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
ae heard of lack of industry on their
part when they receive fair remuneration
for their labor
The means provided for paying the
interest on the public debt, with all 9th
er expense of the Government, are more
than ample. The loss of our commerce
is the only result of the late rebellion
which has not received sufficient atten-
ton from you. To this subject | call
your earnest attention. / will now sug-
gest plans by which this object may be
effected, but will, if necessary, make it
the subject of special message during
the session of Congress. At the March
term, Congress by joint resolution, au-
thorized the Executive to order an cleo
ton in the States Of Virginia. Mississip-
pi and Texas, to submit to them the
Constitutions which each had previously
in convention framed: and to submit the
Constitution either entire or III separate
parts, to be voted upon, at the discre-
ton of the Executive. Under this au
thority elections we're called In Virgin
ia the election took place on the 9th OF
July, 1869. The Governor and Lieuten-
ant Governor elected have been installed; !;
the Legislature met and did all required
by this resolution and by all the recon
struction acts of Congress, and abstain
eel from all doubtful authority. Irecom-
mend that her Senators and Representa-
tlyes, and that the State be fully restored
to its place in the family of States. Elec-
tons were called in Mississippi and Tex
as to commence on the 30th OF Novem-
Der, 1869, and TO last two days in Mis-
sissippi and four days in Texas. The
elections have taken place, but the result
is not known. 1t is to be hoped that
the acts of the Legislatures of these
States, when they meet, will be such as
to receive our approval. aud thus close
the work of reconstruction.
Among the evils growing out Of the
rebellion, and not yet referred to, is that
of an iiredeemable currency. 1t is au
evil which ! hope will receive your most
earnest attention. 1t is duty and one
of the highest duties Of Government, to
secure to their citizens a medium Of ex-
change Of fixed, mvarying value. This
implies return to 4 specie basis, and
no substitute for it can be devised. 1t
should be commenced now and reached
at the earliest practicable moment con