Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-12-09
THE
PRESIDENTS
NJ e S s A O. e /.

10 the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires
In coming before you for the first time
as Chief Magistrate of this great nation,
it is with gratitude to the Giver OF all
good for the many benefits we enjoy.
'soUR NATIONAL BLESSINGS.
We are blessed with peace at home,
and are without entangliug alliance abroad
to forbode trouble. With. territory un-
surpassed in fertility; of an area equal to.
The abundant support of five hundred
millions Of people. and abounding in ev-
cry variety of useful mineral IN quantity
sufficient to supply tie world Cor genera
tlens with exuberant crops With varie-
| ty Of climate adapted to the production
| of every species of earth's riches, and
suited to the habits, tastes and reqnre-
neuts Of every living thing; with pop
ulation of 1900 900 of free people, all
speaking one language with facilities Tor
every moftalto acquire an education; with
Institutions closing 10 none the avanaes
TO iau:e or any blessing of fortune that
may be coveted with freedom Of the pull
pr, the press and the schoal !; with reye-
nue flowing uto the National Treasury
be, ond the requirements of q Government,
happily hsfa.suy is icing rapidly restored
within our own borders, manufacturers
/ hitherto unknown 10 our country are
springing up in all sections. producing a
degree OF national independence unequail-
ed by that 81 any other Power these
| blessings, and countless others, eu-
trusted to your care aud nilue tor safe
keeping for the brief period of our tenure
| ot Office. In short tue We must each
of us retarn to the ranks Of the people,
VITO have conferred upen US cur honors,
| ami account TO them for our stewardship =
earnestly desire that neither you nof [
may be condemned by free and en-
ligh;eued constituency, nor by our own
consolences
THE LATE REBELLION AND ITS EFFECTS.
Emerging from rebellion OF gigantic
magnitude, aided. as it was, by the sym
tpatnles and asslstance OF nations With
which We w-re at peace, eleven States Of
tue Upion were, four yeais ago, left With
0at legal State governments a national
debt had been contracted American aa,n
merce Was almost uiiVen from the seas !;
tue industry Of one half OF the country
had Been taken from the control OF the
capitalists, and placed where all labor
righttully belongs the keeping of tn
iaborcr The work Of restoring State
governments loyal 10 the Uulon of pro
tectius aud fostering free labor, and pro-
siding means for paying the interest on
tho public debt, has received ample at
teution from Congress. Although your
efforts have not met win The success in
all particulars that might have been desir
ed, yet on the whole they have been more
successful than could have been reasona
bly, anticipated. Seven States which
passed ordinances Of secession have been
fully restored to their places III the Union
The eighth Georgia, held an election, at
which she ratified her Q institution. re-
publ can III form, elected GOVernor
members OF Congress, State Legislature
aud all other officers rellired Fac uoy
erner was daily Installed, and tue Leg,sla-
ture met and performed all the acts then
required of tnem 10y the reconstruction
acts of Cong ess. subsequently, howev
! or vial aii4,n of the Gnn~1Iin1lnn N ilit:l
the Supreme Curt of the State, they un-
seated the co.ored members of the Legis
latuye and admitted to seats some mem
bets who are disqualified by the third
clause of the Fourteenth A nendment OF
he CONSTITUTION, an article which they
themselves had contributed to rati:y.-
Uuder these clrcum =tancss | would submit
to YOU whether 1t would not be wise, with
out delay, to enact law authorizing the
Governor OF Georgia to convene the lneI-
oers org mail, elected to the Legislature,
requiring each menOer TO take the oath
prescribed 10y the reconsiruetian acts, aud
none 10 be admitted who are Ineligible
under the third clause vi the 4 )urteenth
amendment The freedmen, under the
protection which they have received, are
maxim. rapid progress III learning, and
no complaints are heard Of lack of indus
try Oh tneir part when they receive fair
remuneration tor their labor. the means
provided tor paying the interest on the
public debt, with all other expenses of
Government, are more than ample. The
,,,,, e our commerce is the only result of
the late rebellion rss.ileh has not received
sufficient attcntioa from you. ~ ms
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 OF special message
during the session OF Congress. AT the
March term Congress by joint resolution
authorized the Elective to order elections
in the States 81 Virginia, Mississi pi and
Texas, to submit to them the constitutions
which each had previously. 10 convention,
tram ID and submit the constitutions, Ell
Their entire as in separate parts, TO be vo-
led upon at the discretion OF the Execu-
tive Under this authority elections
were called. In Virginia the election
took place on the 9TH OF July, 1869. The
Governor and Lieutenant Governor elect
ed have been Installed. The Legislature
met and did all required by this resolu-
lion, and by all the reconstruction acts
of Congress. and abstained from all doubt
fnl authority [ recommend that her
Senators aud Representatives aud that
State be fully restored to its place IN the
family of States.
Elections were called in Mississippi aud
fexas 20 com neace On the 3Otl OF No
vember, 1869, aud to last two days in
Mississippi and four days in Texas. The
elections have taken place. but the result
Is not known 1t is to be hoped that the