Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-12-10
Presidents Message.

Aotua uenaNc ana houeo Ol HoprotonVAQVehs a
In coming before you for the first time
as Chief Magistrate Of this nation, IL Is
with gratitude TO the Giver Of All Good
for the many benefits we enjoy, We are
blessed with peace at home, snd are with.
out entangling alliances abroad 10 fOrbode
trouble. With q territory unsurpassed in
Fertility, OF an area equal to the abundant
support OF I'VE hundred millions of peo-
pie, and abounding in every variety Of use
tntminerals, in quantity sufficient 20 sup
ply the world for generations; with inxu-
rant crops, with variety Of climate
adapted to the production Of every species
OF earth's riches; and suited 10 the habits,
tastes and requirements of every diving
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 blessing
ohtortune that may he covetsd with free
q. dom 1.-THE pulpit the press and the schools
With revenue flowing into the national
treasury beyond the requirements OF the
Government supply; harmony is being
Eapidly restored withiniour own bordersl
sAianutaotures hitherto unknown in our
conptry are springing up in all directions,
producing q degree of national independ.
power These blessings and countless
nothers are. entrusted 10 your care, and
mine, and for safe keeping for the
brief period of our tenure. of office. In a
shpgtf flfne wa must e6dh ofhS kethFn to
the ranks of the people who have confer
red upon us our lhonors, and account to
them for our stewardship, I earnestly desire
that neither you nor may be condemned
by free and enlightened constituency,
nor by our own consciences. 'Hi no 2doI
Emerging from . rebellion Of gigantic
magnitude, aided, as 1t was, by the sympa-
thy and assistance of nations with whom
we were at peace, eleven States of the
2 Union were four years ago left without
legal State Goyernmepts; o debt had been
contracted; American COMMERCE was al
most driven from the seas the industry
of one half the country had been taken
from the control of the capitalist, and
placed where all labor rightfully belongs,
in the keeping Of the laborer. The work
of restoring the State Governments loyal
to the Union, Of protecting and fostering
free labor and providing means for paying
the interest on the pubic debt, has'>re-
ceived ample attention from Congress.
Although your efforts have not met with
the success in all particulars that might
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 (Georgis) held an
election, at which she ratified her Consti-
tuition republican in form, elected Gov
ernor, members of Congress, State Leg
islsture, and all other officers required.
The Governor, duly installed, and the
Legislature met and performed all the, acts
required of them by the resopstruction
acts of Congress. Subsequently, fhowet-
ier, in violation of the Constitution which
they had just ratified, as since decided by
the Supreme Court of the State, they ,un-
seated the colored members of the .Legis-
4lature and admitted to -seats- some mem
bers who are disqualified by, the third
clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of
the Constitution-an article which they
themselves had contributed to ratify.
Under these circumstances would submit
toyou whether it would not be wise, with
out delay, to enact a law authorising the
Governor OF Georgia to convene the
members originally elected to the Legis-
lature, requiring each member to take the
oath prescribed by. the Reconstruc ton
act, and none to be admitted who are in
eligible 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 com
plants are heard of lack of industry on
theirpar when they receive fair remuner-
alton for their labor 3. a "a y ~ - =:
The means provided for paying the in
terest on the public debt, with all the
other expenses, OF the Government, are
more than ample. The loss of our com
merce is the only result of the late rebel
lion which has not received sufficient at
tention from you. To this subject call
your earnest attention. will not now
suggest plans by which this object may be
effected, but will, If necessary, make it
the subject ofa special message during the
session of Congress. -r,s .1.t ~
AT the March term, Congress, by joint
resolution, authorized the Executive to or
der an election in the States of Virginia,
MississiDDi and TeXaa submitting the c0n-