Litchfield enquirer., 1869-12-16
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESIDENTS '- MESSAGE.

To the Senate and House ef Representatives.:
 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 with out entangling alliances abroadsto forbode trouble, with territory unsurpassed in fertility, of an area equal to the abundant support of five hundred millions of peo- pie, and abounding in every variety of useful minerals. in quantity sufficient to supply the world for generations with exu berant crops, with variety of climate adapted to the production of every spe- cies of earth's riches, and suited to the habits, tastes and reqairementso of every living thing, with population of 4O.ooo,- 900 of free people. all speohng one ian- guage, with facilities for every morla! to acquire an education wltn lnsututloHe closing to nope tie avenues to fame, or any hIess.4g of fortune that may be covet- ed wsn freedom of the pulpit, the press an2 2the school. with revenue flowing in- .0 the national treasury beyond the re- quirements of the government. Happily, harmony is being rapidly restored within our own borders. --
 Manufactures hitherto unknown in our country are springing up in all directions, producing degree of national indepen- dence unequalled by that of any other pow CT. These blessings, and countless others, are lntrusted to our care and safe keeping for the brief period of our tenure of office In short time we must return to the ranks of the people. who have conferred on us our honors, and account to them for our stewardship. earnestly desire that nei- ther you nor may be condemned by a free and enlightened constituency, nor by our own consciences. Emerging from a struggle of gigantic magnitude, aided as it was, by the sympathy and assistance of na- tions with whom we are at peace, eleven states of the Union were four years ago left without legal state governments; na. tional debt had been contracted; American commerce was almost driven from the seas; the industry of one half the country has been taken from the control of the capi- talist and placed where all labor rightfully belongs, in the keeping of labor. The l work of restoring state governments, loyal to the Union, of protecting and fostering free labor, and providing means for paying interest on the public debt, has received ample attention from Congress, although your efforts have not met with the success, n all particulars, that might have been desired. Yet, on the whole, they have been more successful than could have req. sonably been anticipated. Seven states which passed ordinances of secession have been fully restored to their places in the Union. The eighth, Georgia, held ar
 election, at which she ratified her consti- tuition, republican in form, elected Gov ernor, members of Congress, State legis- lature, and all other officers required. The Governor was duly installed, and the legis- lature, and performed all the acts then re- quired of them by the constitution and
 acts of Congress. Subsequently, however,
 in violation of the constitution which they
 had just ratified, as has since been deci- ded 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 of the Constitution, an article which they them
 selves had contributed to ratify. Under
 these circumstances, would submit to
 you whether 1t would not be wise, without
 delay, to enact law authorizing the Gov
 ernor of Georgia to convene the members
 originally elected to the legislature, requir- ing each member to take the oath prescri- bed by the reconstruction act, and none to
 be admitted who are ineligible under the 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 lack of industry on their part, when
 they received fair remuneration for theil labor. 2 's7-.1 | The means provided for paying the in. terest on the public debt, with all the oth
 CT expenses of the government, are more
 than ample. The loss of our commerce k
 the ouly result of the late rebellion which
 has not received sufficient attention from you. To this subject I call your early at
 tention. I will not now suggest plans b, (which this object may be effected, but will
 If necessary, make it the subject of spe