Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1869-12-11

~"SS ~4A AAosA 1oN1 $50 40 SVAA-
mended to the patrons Of the
HERALD.
PREsID ENT'S MESSAGE.
FenO W.eitizens of the Senate and
House Of Representatives:
In coming before you for the frat
time as Chief Magistrate Of this
great nation, il is with gratitude to
the Glver Of all good for the many
benefits that We enjoy, that We are
blessed with peace at home, with.
out entangling alliances abroad to
forbode trouble, with territory I'M
surpassed in fertility and area,
equal to the abundant support Of
five hundred millions Of people,
Astounding in every variety Of use
full mineral In quantity sufficient TO
supply the world for generations
yet 10 come, an exhuberant crop,
a variety Of climate adapted to the
production Of every species of tho
riches Of this earth, suited TO the
tastes, and habits, and requirements
Of every living thing, a population
of 100000 of free people, speak
ing one language with facilities for
every mortal to acquire education
in institutions second to none In the
avenues Of fame ; freedom Of pulpit,
press and school /; a revenue A0w-
ing into the National treasury be-
You'd the requirements Of the Gov
eminent. Happily harmony is being
restored within our borders ; manu-.
features hitherto unknown In our
country are springing up In all sec.
lions, prOducinga degree Of nation.
al independence unequalled by any
other power. These blessings and
countless others are entrusted to
your care and mine for their safe.
keeping for the brief period Of our
tenure Of Office. In o short time
we must each Of us return to the
ranks of q people who have con.
Jared these hOnOrs upon Us
and account TO them for Oul
stewardship. l earnestly desire
that neither you nor Emay DO con-
demned by q free aud enlightened
constituency ; nor by our own CON
sciences.
Eleven States of the Union we're
four years ago, LETT without lega
State Governments. A NatiOnR
debt had been contracted Ameri
can commerce was almost driver
from the seas. The industry Of ont
= half the country had been takel
from the control Of capitalists ant
placed where all labor rightfull!
belongs-in the keeping Of the Ia
borers. Work Of restoring Stat
governments, disloyal to the Union
o~fprOtecling and fostering free Ia
Dor, and providing means for pay
ing the interest on the public debt
has received ample attention iron
Congress. Although your effort
have not met with that success Ii
all particulars that might have bee
desired, yet on the whole they hav
been more successful than cOHl
have reasonably been anticipated
OF eleven States which passe
ordinances of secession, seven hay
been fully restored to their forine
places In the Union. The 81
Georgia, held all election, at whic
she ratified q constitution RepublI
can IN form, elected II GOvtTnoI
members Of Congress, n State Leg
islature, and other officers required
The Governor was Installed, til
Legislature met and passed all III
acts required of them by the recOr
structiOn acts, and subsequent,
however, in violation OF the const
tuition which they had just ratiileI
as since decided by the Suprcm
Court Of the State Of Georgia, the
unsoatcd the cOlored members (
the Legislature, and admitted
seats some members who are di
qualified by the Sd clause Of Il
l4th Amendment, an article whiC
they themselves had contributed
ratify. Under these circumstancl
would submit to you whether
would not be wise, without della
to enact law authorizing the Go.
ernor Of Georgia to convene Il
members originally elected to Il
Legislature, requiring each to tai
the oath prescribed by the rccO
~struction nets, and none be ADM
ed who are Ineligible under tho
clause OF the 18th Amendment.
Tho freedmen, under the prote
ton which they have received, q
making rapid progress in learnin
and no complaints + heard of
account of the lack of industry (
their part, where they receive fl
remuneration for their labor.
The means provided for payil
the public debt, with all other C
ponses OF the Government, are mo
than ample for the loss OF our col
merce, and 10 the only result of l.
late rebellion which has not /
ceived sufficient attention fro
you. TO this subject | call yO
earnest attention. l will not nc
suggest plans by which this objC
may be effected, but will, if necC
sary, make it the subject of q 81
cial message during the session
Congress.
AT the March term Congress,
joint resolution, authorized t
Executive to order elections in
States Of Virginia, Mississippi a
Texas, to submit TO them Constil
tions Which they had preyiou,
framed, and submit the Constit
tons either entire or in separ.
parts, to be voted upon, at the d
erection of the Executive. Un(