Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1869-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

To the Senate and House of Repae-
seatdtiyes..
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. Blessed with
peace at home, and without entang-
ling alliance abroad to forebode
trouble; with territory unsurpass-
ed in fertility, of an area equal to
the abundant support of five hun
dred millions ofpcople, and abound
ing in every variety of useful min
erals in quantity sufficient to sup
ply the world for generations with
exuberant 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 a population of 4O,OO0,OOO of
free people, all speaking one Ian
guage; with facilities for every NOR
tai to acquire an education; with in
stitutions closing to none avenues
to fame or any blessings of fortune
that may be courted; with freedom
of the pulpit, the press and the
school; with revenue flowing into
the National Treasury sufficient for
all the requirements ofgovernment !;
with harmonious relations being
rapidly restored within our borders !;
manufactures heretofore unknown
in our country are springing up in
all directions, producing degree of
national independence unequalled
by that of any other power. These
blessings, and countless others, are
intrusted to your care and
mine for safe keeping for the
brief period of our tenure of office.
In a short time we must returnn to
tue ranks of the people who have
conferred on us our honors, and
account to them for our steward
ship, and 1 desire that neither you
nor 1 may be condemned by free
and enlightened constituency, or by
by our consciences.
THE CASE OF GEORGIA.
Emerging from a rebellion of gi-
gantic magnitude, and as it was, by
the sympathy and assistance of ma
tions with which we were at peace,
eleven States of the Union were,
four years ago, left without legal
State governments debt had
been contracted; American COM
merce was almost driven from its
path the industsy of half of 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
wcrk of restoring the State govern
ments loyal to the Union, of protect
ing and fostering free labor, and
providing means for paying the in
terest on the public debt, has re-
ceived ample attention from Con-
gress. Although your efforts have
not met with the success in all
particulars that might have
been desired, yet on the whole, they
have been more successful than
could have been reasonably antici-
pated. Seven States which passed
ordinances of secession have been
fully restored to their places in the
Union. The eighth, Georgia, held
an election at which she ratified her
Constitution, republican in form,
and elected Governor, members OF
Congress, State Legislature and
all other officers required. The
Governor was duly installed, the
Legislature met and performed all
the acts 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 thu
Supreme Court of the State, the,
unseated the colored members o.
the Legislature and admitted to seat
some members who are disqualified
by the third clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution, an
article which they themselves hat
contributed to ratify. Under thes
circumstances, l submit to yo1
whether it would not be wise, with
out delay, to enact law autho1iz
ing the Governor of Georgia t,
convene the members originall
elected to the legislature, requiring
each member to take the oath pre-
scribed by the reconstruction act
and also those admitted who are in
eligible under the Sd clause of th
14th amendment
THE FREEDMEN.
The Freedmen under the protec
ton which they have received, ar
making rapid progress in learning
and no complaints are heard of lac
of industry on their part when the
receive fair remuneration for thei
labor.
The means provided for payin
the interest on the public debt wit
all other expenses of governmer
are more than ample. The loss c
our commerce is the only result {
the late rebellion which has not II
ceived sufficient attention from you
To this subject call your earnes
attention. 1 will not now sugges
plans by which this object may h
effected. but will Unnecessary max
it subject Of special message du
ing the session of Congress.
THE SOUTHERN ELECTIONS.
At the March term, Congress,
joint resolution, authorized tt
Executive to order elections in I'll
States of Virginia, Mississippi ar
ENa.xnr 70 s.,hx,,;k 70 fh Lo