The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-12-16
TIL f, PILOT
THURSDAY, DECEMBER I6, 1859.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

~
J ar,l!ll oASe OF Representatives: In coming
Before you for the first time as chief magis-
traie~ef ,lAis nation, it Is with gratitude to
theGhgenD t EAllG ood fur the many benefits
we enjoy We are blessed with peace at
home, aud are Without entaagling alliances
abroad to forbode trouble With territory
unsurpassed in fertility, Of an area equal to
THE abundant support OF 500, 000,0 of
! people, aud iabouudng in every variety of
useful minerals, in quantity sufficient to
supply the world for generations; with
exuberant crops, with variety of climate
adopted to the production OF every species
of earth's riches, and suited to the habits,
tastes, and requirements OF every living
thing, with Il population of 1000, 900 Of
free people, all speaking one Iangua &c; with
facilities for every mortal TO acquire an ed
ucation, with institutions closing to none
the avenues to fame or any blessing OF for
tune that may be coveted with freedom
Of pulpit, :he press, aud the school; with
{ revenue flowing into The national treasury
beyond the requirements OF government
eupply-harmony is being rapidly restored
within our own borders manufacturers
hithertounknown III our country arc spring
ing up in all directions, producing degree
Of national independence unequaled by that
of any other power. These blessings, and
countless others, are entrusted to our care,
and more, for sale keeping for the brief
period of our tenure of-otfice. In a short
we must, each of US, return to the ranks Of
the people who have conferred US our hon
ors, and account to them for our steward
ship. | earnestly desire tlrat neither you
nor | may be CO. demned by free and en-
hghtened constituency, nor by our own
seonsclcnces.
- RECONSTRUCTION
Emerging from q rebellion of gigantic
magnitude, aided, as it Was, by the sym
patty aud assistance OF nations with which
we were at peace, II States Of the union
We're four years ego left without legal state
governments; q deUt had been contracted;
American commerce was almost driven
tram The seas; the industry OF half Of
.H1e country had been taken from the con
troll OF the capitalist and placed where all
labor righttuily belongs, in the keeping Of
the laborer. The work of restoring state
governments loyal to the union, of protects
ing and fostering free laLor, aud providing
means for paying the interest on the pub
lies debt, have received ample attention
from congress. Although your efforts have
rot Ii. with the success in all particulars
that might have been desired, yet, on the
whole, thcy have been more successful than
could have been reasonably anticipated.
Seven states, which passed ordinances OF
secession, have been fully restored to their
places 10 he Union. The eighth (Georg-
ia) held an election, at which she ratified
her constitution republican III form, elected
governor, members OF congress, state
legislature, aud all other officers required.
The governor was duly installed, aad the
legislature met aud performed all the acts
then required of them by the reconstruction
acts OF congress. Subsequently, however,
in violation of the constitution which they
had Just ratified, as since decided by the
supreme court of the state, they unscated
Dthe colored members of the legislature and
admitted to seats some members who are
disqualified by the thi1d clause of the four
teenth Amendment of the constitution-an
article which they themselves had contribu-
ted 10 ratiy. Under those circumstances
| would submit TO you whether 1t would
not be wise. without delay, to enact law
authorisIng the governor Of Georgia to con-
vene the member originally elected to the
legislature, requiring each member to take
the oath prescribed by the reconstruction
act, and none to Toe admitted who are in
eiegible under the third clause to the four
tcenlh amendment.
THE FREEDMEN.
The freedmen, under the protection
which they have received are making rap
id progress in learning, and no complaints
are heard Of a lack Of industry on their part
when they receive fair remuneration for
their labor
INTEREST ON TIE PUBLIC DEBT.
The means provided for paying the in
terest on the public dept with all the other
expenses Of the government, more than
ample.
COMMERCE
The loss OF our commerce is the only
result of the late rebellion, which has not
received sufficient attention from you
10 this sui jcct L call your earnest attention.
j will not now suggest plans by which the
object may be affected, but will, if necessary
make it the subjccG of a special message
during the session of congress.
n RESUMPTION OF SPECIA PAYMENTS.
Among the evils growing out OF the re-
bcllion, and not yet referred to, is that of
ar lrredcemable currency. 1t is an evil
which l hope will receive your most earnest
attention. 1t /, a duty, and one of the
highest duties OF the government, 10 secure
TO the citizens medium of exchange of
fixed, unvaryine value. This implies It's
return to specia basis, and no substitute
for 1t can be devised 1t should be com
AhCbCSu INV uuu ItdCueu 81 t1lB CdTll6St
practicable moment, consistent with fair
regard to the interest of the debtor class
Immediate resumption, if practicable, would
not be desirable. 1t would compel the
debtor class to pay beyond their contracts
the premium on gold at the date of their
purchase, and would bring bankruptcy and
and ruin 10 thousands. Fluctuations, how
ever, III the paper value of the measure of
I'll yalucs-gold-ls detrimental to the in
tcrcsts Of trade 1t makes the man of bus
mess IN Involuntary gambler, for in all
saIes when the future payment is to be
made, both parties speculate as to what
will be the value Of the currency to he paid
and received earnestly recommend to
you. then, such legislation as will insure
gradual return To spocle payments, and put
an immediate stop to Quotations in the
value of the currency. The methods to
secure either OF these results are as numer>
our as are tho spectators Oh political econ
omy. TO secure he latter, | see but one
way, and that is to authorize the treasury
Ia redeem H. own manor a a liked l1rlpp