The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-12-17
Presidents Message.

To the Senate and House Of Representatives.
In coming before you for the frs
time as chief magistrate Of this M
ton, it is with gratitude to tn
Giver Of All Good for the man!
benefits We enjoy. We are blesset
with peace at home, and are with
out entangling alliances abroad K
forbode trouble. With \ territor,
unsurpassed in fertility, Of al are,
equal to the abundant support o
500, 600, 900 Of people, and abound
ing in every variety of useful min
erals, in quantity sufficient to supply
the world for generations; with
exubcrant crops, with q variety o1
climate adapted to the production
Of. every species Of earth's riches,
and suited to the habits, tastes, and
requirements of every living thing,
! with a population Of 40, 600, 900 q
tree people, all speaking one Ian.
guage; with facilities for every
mortal to acquire an education =;
with institutions closing to none the
avenues to fame or any blessing OF
fortune that may be coveted !; with
freedom of pulpit, the press, and
the school; with q revenue flowing
into the national treasury beyond
the requirements Of government
supply-harmony is being rapidly
restored within our own borders
manufactures hitherto unknow in
our country are springing up in all
directions, producing degree OF
national independence unequaled
by that Of any otherpower. These
blessings, and countless others, are
entrusted to your care, and mine,
for safe keeping for the briefperiod
of our tenure-ot-office. In short we
must, each Of us, return to the
ranks Of the people who have con.
ierred US our honors, and account
to them for our stewardship. !
earnestly desire that neither You
nor l may DO condemned by q free
and enlightened constituency, nor
by our own cOnsclcnccS.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Emerging from q rebellion of 81.
gant;c magnitude, aided, as it was,
by the sympathy and assistance ct
nations with which VIC were 1T
peace, IL States Of the union were
four years ago left without legal
state governments; u debt had been
con, racted +; American commerce
was almost driven from the seas !;
the industry Of onc-half Of the coun-
try had been taken from the control
OF the capitalist, and placed where
all labor righttully belongs, in the
keeping Of the laborer. The work
of restoring state governments loyal
to tho union, OF protecting and
fostering free labor, and providing
means for paving the interest on
the public debt, have rccciv cd
ample attention from congress. AL
though your efforts have net met
with the success in all particulars
that might have been desired, yet,
OH 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 place in the Union. The
cigth (Georgia) held an election, at
which she ratified her constitution
republican in form, elected a gov
crnor, members Of congress, a
state legislature, and all other Of
ficers required. The governor was
duly installed, aud the Legislature
met and performed all the acts then
required Of them by the rccon<trac-
ton acts of congress. Subsequent.
ly, however, III 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
legislature and admitted to seats
some members who are disqualified
by the third clause ofthe fourteenth
amendment Of the constitution
an article which they themselves
had Contributed to ratify. Under
those circumstances would sub.
nit to you whether it would not be
wise, without delay, to enact q law
authorizing the governor Of Georgia
to convene the members originally
elected TO the legislature, requiring
each member to take the oath pre-.
scribed by the reconstruction act,
and none to be admitted who are
ineligible under the third clause Of
the fourteenth amen .lncnt.
| TuEFREEDMES.
The freedmen, under the protcc
tion which they have received, arc
making rapid progress in learning,
and no complaints are heard Of :
lack Of industry Oil their part when
they receive fair remuneration fol
their labor.
! INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The x,eans provided for paying
the interest OH the public debt, Will
all other expenses Of the govern
ment, are more than ample.
| COMMERCE.
The loss Of our commerce is tn.
only result Of the late rebellion
which has not received sufficient
attention from you. To this snbjcc'
| call your earnest attention.
will not now suggest plans by whicl
the object may be effected, but will
if necessary, make it the subject C
a spe:ia message during the sess