Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

10 the Senate Uhd House cr Itpff%htdWtes:
In coming before you for the first time as
Chief Magistrate of this nation, it is with
gratitude to the Giver of all Good for the many
benefits we enjoy. We are blessed with peace
at home, and are without entangling alliances
abroad or trouble to forcbodc. With terri
tory unsurpassed in fertility, of an area equal
70 the abundant support of five hundred mil
lions of people, and abounding in every variety
of useful mineral, in quantity sufficient to sup.
port tkc world for generations: with cNuberant
crops. with variety of climate adapted to the
production Of every species Of the carths pro-
ducts, and suited to the habits tastes and re-
Yuiremcnts of every living thing with pop.
ulation of forty millions of free people, all
speaking one language, with facilities for every
mortal to acquire an education; with institu-
ti3ns closing to none the avenue to fame, or
any blessing Of fortune that may be coveted
with freedom of the pulpit, press and schools
with revenue flowing into the national trca-
sury beyond the requirements OF the govern
mcnt or government demand ; harmony is be-
ing rapidly restored within our borders manu-
.acturts hitherto unknown in our country are
sprinying up in all directions. producing de-
gree of national independence uncqualcd by
that of any other power. These blessings, and
countless others, are entrusted TO your care and
mine, for safe keeping for the brief period OF
our tenure of Office. In short time we must
each of us return to the ranks Of the people
who have oncrred upon Us our powers and
account to them for the stewardship. earn
eyly desire that neither you nor nag be con-
demncd by a free AMI enlightened constituency,
nor by our own conscienccs.
Emerging from n rebellion of gigantic
magnitude. aided as it was by the sympathy
and assistance Of a nation with which we
were at peace eleven States of the Union were
four years ago left without legal State Govern
mcnts. A debt has been contracted; American
commerce was almost driven from the seas
the industry of onc-half the country had been
taken from the control of the capitalists and
placed where all labor rightfully belongs, in
the keeping of the laborers.
TIE CONDITION OF TIE COUNTRY.
The work of restoring State governments
loyal to the Union, of the protecting and fos-
tcring of labor, and providing means for pay
ing interest ON the public debt, has received
ample attention from Congress and although
your Efforts have not met with the success in
NIL particulars that might have been desired,
yet on the whole they have been more success
full than could have been reasonably antici-
patel Seven of the States which passed
ordinances of secession have been fully re-
.torel to their places in the Union. The eighth
(Gcorgia) has held an election at which she
ratifcl Constitution, Republican in form,
VltCtCu IL NONcTubI, uitIlDCIS VI NtliSItss a!iu
State Legislature, with all other officers re-
quired. The Governor was duly installed and
the Legislature met and performed all the acts
then required Of them by the reconstruction
acts of Congress. Subsequently, however, in
violation of the constitution that had just been
ratified, as since decided by the Supreme Court
of the State, they unscatcd the colored mem.
:. bcrs of the Legislature and admitted to seats
~mcmbers who are disqualified by the third
Clorca pf tho Enurf.enfh A,nap6.Ocpt in t1,,
Constitution. all article which they themselves
had contributed to ratify. Underthese circum
stances l would submit to you whetherit would
not be wise without delay to pass a law au
thorizing the Governor of Georgia to convene
the members originally elected to the Legis
laturc. and requiring each member to take the
oath prescribed by the reconstruction act. This
done, those to be admitted who are ineligible
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 complaints are heard of q
lack Of industry on their rart when they re.
ceive fair remuneration for their labor
The means provided for paying the interest
on the public debt, with all other expenses OF
government, are more than ample. The loss
OF our commerce is the only result of the re
bellion which has not received sufficient atten
Ion from you. To this subject l call your
earnest attention. l will not now suggest the
means by which this object may be effected
bat WILL if necessary, make it the subject of a
special message during TIE session of Congress
At the March term, Congress, by joint reso
luton, authorized the Executive to order an
election in the States of Virginia, Mississippi
and Texas, at which was to bc submitted the
questions (which each had previously in con.
vention formed. Under this authority an clec.
tion was called in Virginia, The election took
place on the 9th Of July. 1860. The Governor
elected has been installed: the Legislature
met and did ali required By this resolution and
ny the reconstruction acts of Congress, and
rcfraiaed from all doubtful authority | recon-
mend to our Senators and Representatives that
the State hn fully restored 10 iis place in the
family Of Sta,.s Elciinn. lrorr ..all.>i In