Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-12-10
The Presidents Message.
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House
Of Representatives
NATIONAL BLESSINGS.


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
We are blessed with peace at home and
are without entangling alliances abroad,
to forebode trouble, with territory I'M
surpassed in fertility of an area equal to
the abundant support of five hundred
millions of people, and Astounding in
every variety of useful mineral, in guam,
tity sufficient to supply the world for gen
erations; with exhuberent crops; with a
variety Of climate adapted to the pro-
duction of every species of earth's riches
and suited to the habits, tastes and re-
quirepents of every living thing with
population of 100000 of free peo-
pie, all speaking one language; with IA
cilities for every mortal toacquirc an ed
ucation; with institutions, closing to none
the avenues to fame or any blessing or
feature that may be conceived, with
freedom of the pulpit, the press and the
schools; with revenue flowing into the
National Treasury, beyond the require
ments of the Government, happily har
mony is being rapidly restored within
our own borders.
Manufactures hitherto unknown in our
country arespringing up in all directions,
producing degree of national indepen-
dence unequaled by that of any other
power.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONGRESS.
These blessings, and countless others,
are entrusted to our care, and more for
safe keeping for the brief period of ten
% ofiivv. In short, we must each of
us return to the ranks of the people, who
have conferred upon us our honors, an
account to them of our stewardship.
OUR SUFFERING COMMERCE.
The loss of our commerce is the only
result of the late rebellion which has
not received sufficient attention from you.
To this subject call your earnest atten-
ton. | will not now suggest plans by
which the object may be effected, but will
If necessary, make it the subject of a
special message during the session Of
Congress.
RECONSTRUCTION.
AT the March term, Congress, by a
joint resolution, authorized the Executive
to order elections in the States of Vir-
ginia, Mississippi and Texas; to submit
to them the constitutions which each had
previously in convention framed, and to
submit these constitutions, either entire
or in separate parts, to be voted upon, at
the discretion of the Executive. Under
this authority, elections were called in
Virginia. The Governor and Lieuten.
ant-Governor have been installed. TIL,
Legislature met, and did all required BY
the resolution and by all the reconstruc
tion acts of Congress, and abstained
from all doubtful authority.
/ recommend that her Senators ant
Representatives be admitted, and tina
the State be fully restored to its place il
the family of States.
THE CASE OF GEORGIA.
Seven States which passed ordinance,
of secession have been fully restored to
their places in the Union the eighth
(Georgia) held an election at which sht
ratified her Constitution, republican in
form, a Governor, members of Congress
aState Legislature, and all other officer.
required. The Governor was duly in
stalled and the Legislature met and per
formed all the acts then required of then
by the Reconstruction acts of Congress
Subsequently, however, in violation o.
the Constitution which they had just rat
flied, as since decided by the Supreme
Court of the State, they unseated the
colored members of the Legislature and
admitted to seats some members who ar,
disqualified by the third clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitu
tion-an article which they themselve,
had contributed to ratify. Under thes,
circumstances / would submit to yo,
whether it would not be wise, without de
lay, to enact law authorizing the Gov
ernor Of Georgia to convene the mem
bers originally elected TO the Legislator,
requiring each member to take the oatl
prescribed by the Reconstruction acts
and none to be adm tilted who are ineligi
BILE under the third clause of the -Four
teenth Amendments