Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-03
Presidents Message.
WAsHTNoroN, Dso. q. Isf.1

ana AleSSrS. SGDenGk, Dawes ana W Gf1Gs-.
ward, on the part OF the House, waited
npon The President 10 know il he had
anything 10 communicate 70 tie Houses
OfCongress.
In response the President sent the fol-
lowing message:
To the 6enate and {felsse Of Represent
dtires Gentlemen: In coming before
you for The first time as CHIEF magistrate
Of this great nation, il IL with gratitude
20 the Glver Of all Good for the many
benefits we enjoy. We are blessed with
peace at home and are without entan-
Cling alliances abroad 10 forebede trou-
be. With territory unsurpassed IN fer
tiliLy, Of an area equal TO the abnn-
dant support OF i've hundred million
OF people, and abounding in every
variety OF useful minerals, IN quantity
sufficient 10 supply the world for gene
rations; with exuberaut crops; with a
variety OF climate adapted to the prodne-
ton Of every species Of sarth's riches
and suited to the habits, tastes aud re-
quirements of eRerv living thing With
"A population Of 10000 600 OF free people,
81 speaking one language; with faeili-
ties for every mortal 10 acquire an ed u
cation; with institutions, closing 10 none
the avenues 10 fame or any blessing Of
fortune that may be coveted; with fTee-
dom of the pulpit and press and school:
with a revenue flowing into the
national treasury beyond the require
ments Of government; happily, order is
being rapidly restored within our own
boruers. Manufactures hitherto IN
known within our country are springing
up in all directions, producing degree
Of national Independence unequaiied by
that Of any other power. These bless
iDgs, and countless others, are submit
ted to your care and mine, more for safe
keeping for the brief period OF our ten
IRE of Office In a short time we must
each of US return TO the ranks Of the
people who have conferred upon as our
honoTs, and account 10 them Tor our
stew ardship. / earnestly desire that
neither you nor may be condemned by
a free and enlightened constituency, nor
by our eOnseienees.
Emerging from re beiiioB ofgigantic
magnitude, aided as il vas by the sym
pathy and assistance Of nations with
which we were at peace, eleven states OF
the Union were, four years ago, left
without legal stale governments. A ma
tioual debt had been contracted; Aneri
can commerce was almost driven from
The seas; the Industry OF the country had
been taken from the control of the eapi
talistS and placed where ali labor right
fully belongs, in the keeping of the la
bOrer. The work OF restoring state gov
eruments loyal 10 the Union, OF project
ing and fostering free labor aid pro
viding means for paying the interest on |
the public debt, has received ample at
tentiOn from Congress. Although your
efforts have not met with the success, in
all particulars, that might have been de- |
sired, vet on the whole they have been
more successful than could have been |
reasonably anticipated.
Seven States which had passed ordi- |
nRnces OF secession have been fully re- |
stored to their places in the Union. The
eighth Georgia, held an election at
which she rsufed her constitution, re- |
publican in form, elected a Governor, |
members Of Congress, State legislature |
and an other officers required. The |
Governor was duly installed and the |
legislature met and performed all the |
acts then required of them by the recon
stFuction acts of Congress. Subse- |
nuently, however, in violation Of the |
Constitution which they had Just ratified |
as since decided by the supreme Court |
Of the State--they unseaIed the coLored |
members of the Legislature, and admit |
ted 10 seats some members who are /
disqualified by the third clause Of the 4
fourteenth amendment to the ConstitB- I
ton, an article which they themselves /
had contributed to rRtify. Under these |
circumstances I would submit to yon 1
whether il would not be we'll. without |
delay, tOsenact a law authorizing the I
Governor OF Georgia to convene the /
members originally elected TO the Le&is- |
lature, requiring each to take the oath !
presented by the reconstruction acts, /
and none TO be admitted who ale incl !
llgible 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 |
their part, where they receive fair re-
Enumeration for their LABOR.
The means provided for paying the |
interest on the public debt, with all
other expenses 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 attention from
YOU. To this subject I call your earnest
attention. ! will not now suggest plans
by which this object may be effected,
but viii, II necessary, make IL the sub
iect Of a special message during the ses-
sion.
At the March term, Congress, by joint
resolution, authorized the executive TO
order elections 10 the State of Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas, TO submit to
Them the constitutions which had preyi-
ously been In convention formed, and
submit the constitutions, either entire or
in separate parts, 10 devoted upon al the
discretion OF the Executive. Under this
authority elec ions were called in Viz
giuia. The election took place on the
6lh Of July, 1869. The Governor and
Lieutenant Governor elected have been
installed, the Legislature met and did
all required by this resolution, and by