The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-12-11
Presidents Message.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.


many benefits we enjoy We are blessed
with peace at home and are without cnting-
ling alliances abroad TO iOrebode Trouble.
With a territory unsurpassed in fertility, OF
an area equal 20 the abundant support OF
5OO.0c0,000 peeli,, and Astounding in every
variety of useful 'lineral in quantities suffi-
cient to supply the world for generations;
with luXuriant crops; with a variety OF eli
mate adapted to The production OF every
species of earth's riches, and suited to the
habits, tastes and requirements of every
living thing; with population of40900-0O0
of free people all speaking one language,
with facilities for every mortal to acquire
an education; with institutions closing to
none the avenues to fame or any blessings Of
fortune that may be coveted; with freedom
OF the pulpit, the press and the schools, with
revenue flowing into the treasury beyond
the requirements of government supply;
harmony is being ranidly restored within
our own borders; manufactures hitherto
unknown in our country are springing up
in all directions, producing degree of ma
tional ind pendence uneQualled by that Of
any other power These blessings and
countless others are entrusted to your care
and mine for safe keeping for the brief pc.
Rod of our term Of Office. In short time
We must each of us return to the ranks of
honors, and account to them for our stew
ardship. earnestly desire that neither you
nor may be condemned by free and en-
lightened constituency nor by our own con-
science. Emerging from rebellion of g.
gantc magnitude, aided and assisted as it
was by the sympathy and assistance OF ma
tions with whom we were at peace, eleven
states of the Union were left four years ago
without legal state government; debt had
been contracted; American commerce was
almost driven from the seas the industry of
onehalf the country had been taken from
the control of the capitalist and placed
where all labor rightfully belongs, in the
keeping of the laborer; the work of resto-
ring the state governments loyal to the
Union; of protecting and fostering free la.
Dor. and providing means for paying the in
terest on theipublic debt, has received ample
attention from congress. Although your
efforts have not met with the success in all
particulars that might have been desired,
yet on the whole they have been more sue.
cessful than could have been reasonably
anticipated. Seven states which passed or
dinances Of secession have been fully resto.
red to their places in the Union; the eighth,
GEORGIA
held an election at which she ratified her
constitution, republican in form, elected
Governor, members of congress- state leg
lslature and all other Officers required: 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 they had
just ratified as since decided by the supreme
court of the state, they unseated the colored
members of the legislature, and admitted
some members who are disqualified by the
third clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
TO the constitution an article which they
themselves had contributed to ratiiy. Under
these circumstances, | would submit to you
whether it would not be wise to pass with
out delay, a law authorizing the governor
of Georgia to convene the members origin
ally elected to the legislature, requiring
each member to take the oath prescribed by
the reconstruction act, and none to be adj
mitted 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 learn.
ing, and no complaints are heard of y lack
OF industry on their part when they receive
fair remuneration for their services
THE PUBLIC DERT.
The means provided for paying the interest
ron the public debt, with all other expenses
ofthe government, are more than ample.
COMMERCE
The loss of our commerce is the only re.
suit of the late rebellion which has not re-
ceived sufficient attention from you. To this
subject l call your earnest attention will
not now suggest plans by which this object
may be effected, but will, if necessary, make
1t the subject OF special message during
the session of congress. -
VIRGINIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TExAs
At the March term, congress by joint res
o. ION, authorized the Executive to order
a. election in the states of Virginia, Missis
sippi and Texas. He submitted to them the
constitutions which each had previously in
convention framed, and submitted the con-
stitutions 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 election took
place on the 9th of July, 1859. the governor
and i ltenant governor elected have been
Installed, the legislature met and did all re.
quired by this resolution and by all the re.
construction acts ofcongress, and abstained
from all doubtful authority. | recommend
that her senator's and representatives be adj
mitted and that the state be fully restored to
ITS place in the family of states Elections
were called in Mississippi and Texas, to COM
mence the Both of November, 1869, to last
two days in Mississippi and four days in
IeAas The elections have taken place but
the result is not known. 1t is to be hoped
that the acts Of the legislatures of these
states, when they meet will be such AS to
receive your appreciation and thus close the
work Of reconstruction.
SPECIE PAYMENTS.
One of the evils arising out of the rebellion
and not yetrolorred tots that of irrcdeemable
currency, 1t Is an evil which hope will