The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-12-10
Presidents Message.
To he Senate and House Of Reprcsenta.

Ii IL with great gratitude to the Giver of
all good for the many benefits we enjoy.
We are blessed with peace at home, and
are without entangling alliances abroad
unsurpassed ia fertility, OF an area equal
to the abundant support OF five hundred
millions of people, and Astounding in
every variety Of useful minerals In guam
tity sufficient to supply the world for
generations; with exubernnt crops;
with variety of 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 population of forty millions of
with facilities for every mortal to ac-
quire education with institutions
closing to none the avenues to
fame or any blessing that may
be coveted; with freedom of Pulpit, the
Press and the Schools with a revenue
flowing into the national treasury be-
yond the requirements of the govern
ment; harmony is being rapidly re-
stored within our borders; manu-
features hitherto unknown in our coun-
try are springing up in all directions,
producing degree of national indepen-
dence unequalled by that of any other
power. These blessings and countless
others are entrusted to your care and
mine for safe keeping for the brief peri
cd OF our tenure of Office. In "a short
ranks of the people who have conferred
upon us our honors, and account to them
for our stewardship. i earnestly desire
that neither you or ] may he condemned
by free and enlightened constituency
nor by our own conscience.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Emerging from rebellion of gigantic
sympathy and assistance of nations with
which we were at peace, eleven
States of the Union were four
years ago left without legal state govern
ment. A heavy debt had been contrac-
ted. American commerce was almost
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 be-
longed-ln the keeping of the laborer.
The work of restoring state governments
loyal TO the Union, of protecting and
fostering free labor, and providing means
Tor paying tAe interest on the public
debt. has received ample attention from
Congress. Although your measures have
not met with the success in all partieu-
lara that might have been deserved, yet,
on the whole, they have been more sue
cessful 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
Republican in form--elected Governor,
members OF Congress, State legislature
and all other officers required. The
Governor was duly installed and the
Legislature met and reformed all the
acts then required of them by
the reconstruction acts of Congress.
subsequently,, however, in violation of
the Constitution which they had Just
ratified as since decided by the Supreme
Court Of the, State, they expelled the
colored members of the Legislature, and
admitted to seats some mGmbers who
are disqualified by the third clause of
Fourteenth Amendment to the Consti-
tuition, an article which they themselves
had contributed to ratify. Under these
circumstances, I would submit to you
whether 1t would not be wise, without
delay, to enact law authorizing the
Governor of Georgia to convene the
members originally elected to the Legls-
lature, requiring each member to take
the oath prescribed by the reconstruction
acts, and none to be admitted who are in
eligible under the third clause of
the Fourteenth Amendment.
At the March term, go Congress by foint
resolution, authorized the Executive to
order elections in the States of Virginia,
Mississippi, and Texas, and submit
to them the Constitutions which
vention framed, and to submit
the Constitutions either entire or in sepa-
rate parts, to be voted on Mt the discre-
ton of the Executive. Under this au-
thority, elections were called. In Vir-
ginia the election took place on the 9th
of July, 1869. The Legislature met and
did all required by the resolution and by
all the reconstruction acts of Congress,
and abstained from all doubtful authori-
ty. recommend that the senators and
representatives be admitted to Congress,
and that the State be fully restored to its
place in the family of States. Elections
were called in Mississippi and Texas to
commence on the 30th of November
1859, and to last two days in Mississippi,
and four days in Texas. The elections
known. 1t is to be hoped that the acts
of the Legislatures of these states when
they meet will be such as to receive your
appreciation, and thus close the work of
reconstruction.
THE FREEDMEN.
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
their part, when they receive a fair re-
Enumeration for their labor.
COMMERCE.
The loss of our commerce is the only
result of the late rebellion which has not |
received sufficient attention from
you. To this subject I call your earnest |
attention. will not now suggest plans |
by which this object may be effected but |
will make 1t the subject of a special
message during the session of Congress. |
RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS.
One to the evils growing out of the
rebellion, and not yet referred to, is that
of an irredeemable currency. It is an
evil which / hope will receive your
most earnest attention. It isa duty and
one Of the highest duties of the govern
ment,to secure the citizens q medium Of
exchange of fixed and unvarying value.
This implies return to q specie basis
Ne substitute for 1t can be divised. 1t
should be commenced now, and reached
at the earliest practicable moment, with
q fair regard to the interests Of the
debtors Immediate resumption, If
practicable, would not be desirable. 1t
would compel tlre debtor class to pay
beyond their contracts as fixed |
by the premium on gold at the date oftheir
purchases, and would bring bankruptcy
and rain to thousands. Fluctuations,
however, in the paper value of the meas