The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


GENTLEMEN: IN coming before you for the
first time be Chief Magistrate Of this great
Nation, It is With gratitude 10 the Giver Of
ali good for the many benefits we enjoy,
blessed with psace at home and without en-
tangling Ellisnce abroad TO forebode trouble
with a territory unsurpassed in fertility, Of
an aare equal 70 the abundant support of500
4 00G ,00O q people, and sbOunding in every
variety Of useful mineral 10 quantity sUffici-
snt the world for generations; with abundant
crops; With variety Of climate adapted 70
The production Of every species Of earth's
richest productions; and suited 10 the habits
and requirements Of every living thing;
with a population Of 40 ,000 000 Of free peo-
pie, SD speaking one language, with facil-
tiles for every m0rtal te acquire an educa-
ton: with Institutions closing TO none the
avenue to fame or any blessing Of fortune
that may be coveted; with freedom OF the
pulpit, press aud the school; with revenue
flooding into the National Treasury all the
requirements Of Government support, hsr-
moDy is being rapidly restored within our
own borders; manufactures hitherto M
known to our country, are springing up iD
all directions, producing a-degree Of n alton
al IndependsDee uneqnalled BY that Of any
other power.
These blessings, With countless Others
are intrusted to your care and mine for safe
keeping for The brief period Of our terms Of
Office. In short time, we must each return
TO the ranks Of the people, who have con-
ferred on US our hoBore and account TO them
for our stewardship. / earnestly desire that
neither you nor may be condemned by 8
free and enlightened constituency, nor by
our own conscience.
Emerging from a rebellion of gigantic
magnitGde, added, as it was by the synpa-
thy and assistance Of nations with which we
were at peacs, eleven States Of the Union
we're four years ago left without legal State
Governments. Al debt had been contracted;
American commerce was almost driven from
the seas; the iedustry Of one half Of the
country had been taken from the control Of
tbe capitalists and placed where all labor
fightfuily belOngs-in the keeping Of The Ia
boref; the work Of restoring State Govern
menis loyal 70 the Union, Of protecting and
fostering free labor and providing means fo'
paying the interest on the public debt has
received ample attention from Congress. Al
though your efforts have not met with the
success ir all particulars that might have
bean desired, yet on ihe whole, they have
been more successful than could have been
reasonably anticipated. Seven States which
passed ordinances Of secession have Oeen
fully restored TO their places in the Union.
The Eeighth (GsoTgia) held an election Al
which she ratified her constitution (Repub-
ican in form, elected governor, members
of Congress, a State legislature, and al
other officers required. The governor wat
duly installed, the Legislature met and per-
formed all the acts required Of them by the
reconstruction acts Of Congress. Subse-
quently, however, in violation Of the consti-
tution which they had just ratified, as since
DECIDED By the SupTen Court of the State,
tbeV excluded The cOlOred members Of the
legislature and admitted 10 seats some mem
bars who sre disqualified by the third clause
Of the fourteentb EmeBdment 10 the censlitu-
tion, an article which they themselves had
contributed 70 ratIfy. Under these circum-
stances, would submit 10 you whether il
would not be wise without delay 10 enact
Law authorizing the Governor Of Georgia TO
convene the members originally elected TO
the Legislature; requiring esch member to |
take the oath prescribed by the recOnstruc |
tfcn act and none to be admitted who are
ineligible under the third clause Of the 18th !
amendment.
The freedmen, under the protection which |
they have received, are making rapid pro-
Rress in learning, and no complaints are /
heard cf lack Of industry Oh their part, when |
they receive fair remuneration for their la |
Dor
The means provided Tor paying Interest on
the public debt, with all other expenses OF /
government are more than ample.
The loss Of our commerce is the only re-
suit Of the late rebellion which has not receiv-
ed sufficient attention from you, To this
subjectI call your earnest attention. /
viii not now suggest plans BY which this
object may be effected, but will, If necessary
make it the subject Of q special message
during the sessions Of Congress.
At The March term, Congress, by joint
resolution. authorized the executive TO Urder
elections In the States Of Virginia. Mississip-
pi, and Texas. 70 submit to them the con
stitutions which each had previously in con-
VeniiOn framed, and submit the constitution
either entire OF in separate parts 70 be voted
upon at the discretion Of the Executive.
nder this authority elections we're called
Virginia the election took place on the
9Th July, 1869. The Governor and Lieut.
Governor elected have been installed. The
Legislature met aud did all required by this
resolution and by all the reconstruction acts
Of Congress. and sbstained from all doubtful
authority l recommend that her Senators
and Representatives, be admitted TO seats
in Congress and thst the State be fully re-
stoned TO its place IN the family Of States.
Electio1s were called in Mississippi and
Texas, to commence on the 30th Of Novem-
Der, 1853, and TO last two days in Mississip-
pi and four days in Texas The elections
have taken place, but the result is not known
It is to be hoped that the acts Of the Legis-
Iatures Of these States, when they meet, viii
be such as 10 receive your sPpIoVal, and
thus clOss the work of reconstruction.
Among the sYils growing oct Of the re-
bslliOn and not referred to, is that of an ire
ueemable currency. it is an evil which !
hops will receive your most ssTlest attention
Il Is q duty, and one Of The highest duties Of
the Government, TO secure to the citizens q
medium Of exchange Of fixed, unvarying
value. This implies q return TO q specie
basis and no su6Stitu6e for it can be desis-
ed. It should be cOulmsnced now and reach
ed at the earliest practicable moment con-
Bistant with fair regard TO the inteIst Ofthe
debtor class.
Immediate resumption If practicable,
would not be desirable. 1t would compel !
The debtor class TO pay beyond their contracts
the premium of gold at the date of their
purchase, and would bring bankruptcy and {
ruin 10 thousands. FluctuatiOn, however,
in the pspsF value Of the measure Of all val
ues, (goId, } Is detrimental to the interests Of
trade. Il makes the nan Of business an in {
Voluntsry gambler; for ia sl sales when 1
future payment is TO be made, both parties
speculate as 10 what will be the FaiGe OF the
currency TO be paid aud received. I
earnestly recommend 10 you then, such !
legislation as viii insure q gradual return I
70 specie payments and put an immediate
stop in the value of currency. The methods s
to secure these results are as numerous IS I
are the speculstions of political economy. 0
To secure the latter, see but one way, and I
fhst is 70 authorize the Treasury TO redeem :
its Own paper al fixed price whenever pre- d
Iehted, and to withhold from circulation all v
such currency redeemed until sold sgain e
or gold. j.
the vast resources of the nation, both y
developed ard uDdeVeloped ought TO make d
,ur credit the bSet on earth. With less o
burden of tsxstion than the citizen had a
sndured for six years past the eutire pub q
ic debt could be paid in ten years; but il u
8 not desirable that the people should now Il
De taxed 10 pay it in that time, Ye2r by o
rear the ability TO pay increases in rapid u
atIO; but the burden Of interest ought to be u
educed as rapidly as can be done without D
be violation of contact. The public debt u
, rep presented in q great part by bonds, hav- "
ng from five to twenty and from ten TO forty '.
sa1s 10 run, bearing interest at the rate OF q
per cent, an0 i've per cent respectively: u
I is optional with tie Government 10 pay Y
heir bonds at any period after the expiration n
the last time mentioned upon their face. az
he time has already expired when a great %
art of them may be taken up, The lime CO
] rapidly approaching when all nEy be. II ez
beiived that Rl which are now due, may sa
. replaced BY bonds bearing rate Of interest CO
Of exceeding four Rnd half per cent, aud %
] RAPIDLY as the remainder become due, they ~
lay be replaced in the same Ery, To &C ne
L