The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MEss.laE.
WASHINGTON, Dccember6.

TIE PRESIDENTS MESS-lGE.
WASHINGTON, Dccember6.
The Presidents message WAS delivered 10
both Houses OF Congress to-day, and Is us fol-
lows:
To The Senate ana House OF Representatives
III coming before you for the first time rs tho
Chief Magistrate OF great nation, It IL With
gratitude to the Giyer OF All Good for tic many
benefits We enjoy. We are blessed with peace at
home, without cntangllng alliances abroad to
forebodc trouble, with territory unsurpassed in
fertility, and OF area equal to the abundant sup
port OF i've hundred millions OF people. abound
ing In every variety OF useful mineral In quantity
sufficient to supply tho world for generations
with eNubcrant crops, with variety Of climate
adapted to the production OF every species Of the
earh's riches, suited to the habits tastes and re-
quiremcnts OF every living thing. We have Il
population OF forty millions OF free people
speaking one language. We have facilities
for every mortal to acquire an education;
onr institutions closing to none the ave-
nucs to famc, or any blessing OF fortune
that may be coveted. Freedom OF the pulpit,
press and schools: n revenue flowing into the
National Treasury beyond the requirements OF
rapidly restored within our own borders Man.
ufactures hitherto unknown in our country, arc
sprInging up in a sections, producing degree OF
national independence unequallcd by any other
power. These blessings, and countless others,
aro entrusted to your care und mine for safe
keeping, for the brief period OF our tenure OF
onlcc. In n short time We must each OF US return
TO the ranks of the people who have conferred
our honors, and account TO them for our steward.
ship. earnestly dcslrc that neither you nor
may bo condemned by FREQ and enlightened
constituency, nor by our own consciences.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Emerging from rebellion OF gigantic magnf-
tudc, aided, as 1t was, by the sympathes and as
| sistance OF nations with which we were at peace
! eleven States or the Union were, four years ago.
left without legal State governments. national
debt had been contracted; American commerce
was almost driven from the sens; the Industry or
onc-half OF the country had been taken from the
control or tile capitalist, and placed where all
labor rlghifully belongs-n tile keeping OF the Ia
borer. The work OF restoring State governments
| loyal 10 the Union, OF protecting and fostering
free labor, or providing means for paying the in
| tcrcst on the public debt, has received ample ut.
tention from Congress Although your efforts
| has not met with success In all partIcu-
| lars that might have been desired, yet, on tho
whole they have been more successful than could
have been reasonably anticipated. Seven States
which passed ordinances OF secession have been
fully restored to their places in the Union; the
eighth, Georgia, held election at which she rat
ihed her constitution, republican In form, elected
| Governor, members OF Congress, q State Lcgls-
latirc, and other officers required. The Governor
was Installed; the Legislature met and performed
all the acts then required OF them by the Recon.
struction acts OF Congress. Subsequently, how
ever, In violation or tile constitution which they
| had just ratified, 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 are disqualified by the
third clause OF the Fourteenth amendment mn mr.
| tIcle which they themselves had contributed TO
ratIfy. Under these circumstances would sub.
init to you whether II would not be wise, without
delay, TO enact law authorizing the Governor OF
Georgia to convene the members originally elected
to the Legislature requiring each to take the oath
prescribed by the Reconstruction acts and none
to bo admitted who are ineligible under the third
clause OF the Fourteenth amendment.
The freedmen, under the protection which they
| have received, arc making rapid progress in
| learning, and no complaints arc heard OF lack OF
industry oil their part, when they receive fair re-
| muncra,ion for their labor.
The means provided for paying tho Interest on
the public debt, with all other expenses OF the
| government, arc more than umpc. Loss OF our
commerce Is only the result OF the late rebellion
which has not received sulilclcnt attention from
you. To this subject / coll your earnest altcn-
| tion. will not now suggest plans by which this
object may be effected, but will, II necessary
| make It the subject Of special message, during
| tho session OF Congress.
VIRGINIA.
1T the March term, Congress, by Joint resolu
Ion, authorized the Executive to order elections
, IN the States OF Virginia, Mississippi and Texas
to submit tile now constitutions which cnch
had previously framed, and to submit the constI
tutions either entire or In separate parts to he
voted upon ut the discretion or the Executive.
Under this authority tho elections were chilled.
In Virginia the election took place on the 9th of
July. The Governor and Lieutenant. Governor
have been Installed. Tic LegE .aturc met and
did all required by this resolution and by oil the
reconstruction acts Of Congress. and abstaincd
from all doubtful authority. / recommend that
her senator's and representatives be promptly atl.
mltted to their seats, and that the State DO fully
restored to Its place In the family OF States.
MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS
Elections were called In Mississippi and Texas,
to commence on the Both November; two days In
Mississippi and four days In Texas. Tho elections
""'o stAAS" P'"Sc, bus suc fesuit u not KNOWN.
II Is hoped that the acts Of the Legislatures of
these States. when they meet, win be such as to
receive your approval, and thus close tho work OF
reconstruction.
the CURRENCY AND DEBT.
Among tho evils growing ont Of the rebellion,
and not yot referred TO. Is that OF an irredeenabe
currency. It "a On evil which hope will receive
your most earnest attention. Il Is duty, and
one Of the highest duties Of q government, to
secure 70 tho citizen medium OF exchange OF NIX.
ed and unvarylng yaluc. This implies q return
To specic balls, and no substitute for It can bc
devised. 1t should bo commenced now and reaoh.
cd at the earliest practicable momont, consistent