The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-07
THE PREsIDENTyS MESSAGE.

WASHINGTON, December6.
The Presidents message was delivered 10
both Houses OF Congress to-day, and is as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
In coming before you for the first time as the
Chief Magistrate Of o great nation, 1t Is with
gratitude to the Giver OF All Good for the many
benefits We enjoy. We are blessed with peace at
home, withou. entangllng alliances abroad to
forebode trouble with territory unsurpassed In
fertility, and OF area equal to the abundant sup
port OF five hundred millions Of people, abound
ing in every variety OF useful mineral in quantity
sunlcent to supply the world for generations,
with exuberant crops, with variety OF climate
adapted to the production OF every species Of the
earth's riches suited to the habits tastes and re-
uuirements OF every living thing. We have
population OF forty millions OF free people
speaking one language. We have facilities
for every mortal to acquire an education;
our institutions closing to none the ave-
nues to fame, or any blessing OF fortune
that may be coveted. Freedom OF the pulpit,
cress and schools; revenue flowing into the
National Treasury beyond the requirements OF
the government. Happily, harmony is being
rapidly restored within our own borders. Man.
ufacturcs, hitherto unknown In our country, are
sprlnging up In all sections, producing degree OF
national! Independence unequalled by any other
power. These blessings, and countless others,
are entrusted to your care and mine for SAFE
keeping, for the brief period OF our tenure oi
office. In 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 desire that neither you nor
may be condemned by free and enlightened
constituency, nor by our own conscences.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Emerging from rebellion OF gigantic magni-
tude, aided, as it was, by the sympathles and as
sistance OF nations with which we were ut peace,
eleven States OF the Union were, four years ago,
left without legal State governments. A national
debt had been contracted; American commerce
was almost driven from the seas; the Industry OF
onc-half OF the country had been taken from The
control OF the capitalist, and placed where all
labor rightfully beongs-in the Keeping OF the Ia
borer. The work Of restoring State governments
loyal to the Union, OF protecting and fostering
free labor, OF providing means for paying the in
tcrest on the public debt, has received ample at
tcntion from Congress. Although your efforts
has not met with success in all partcu-
lars that might have been desired, yet, on the
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
nln Of tShf oh m rgt
flied her constitution republican In form, elected
n Governor, members OF Congress- State Lcgis-
laturc, 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 the constitution which they
had just ratified, as since decided by the Supreme
Court OF the State, they unscated the colored
members OF the Legislature, and admitted TO
seats some members who are disqualified by the
third clause Of the Fourteenth amendment, an ar
tlcle which they themselves had contributed TO
ratiry. Under these circumstances would sub
init TO you whether it would not be wise, without
delay, to enact Il law authorizing the Governor oi
Georgia TO convene the members originally elected
TO the Legislature, requiring each TO take the oath
prescribed by the Reconstruction acts and none
to be admitted who are ineligible under the third
clause OF the Fourteenth amendment.
Tl.e freedmen, under The protection which they
have received, are making rapid progress i'll
learning and nu complaints are heard OF lack OF
industry on their part when they receive fair re-
muncraton for their labor.
The means provided for paying the interest on
oil ut har nj
government, are more than umple. Loss Of our
commerce ls only the result OF the late rebellion,
which has not received snflicicnt attention from
You. To this subject call Your earnest attcn-
tlcn. will NOS now suggest plans by which this
object may be effected, but will, If necessary,
make it the subject OF L special message, during
the session Of Congress.
VIRGINIA.
At the March term, Congress, by joint rcsolu-
ton, authorized the Executive to order elections
in the States Of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas,
10 submit ;ilr new cunstitut ons which each
han previously framed, and 10 submit the consil-
tutions either entire or in separate parts, to he
voted upon at the discretion OF the Executive.
Under this authority the elections were called.
In Virginia the election tOJk place on the 9Th OF
July. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor
have been installed The Legislature Met and
did ull required Uy this resolution and by all the
reconstruction acts Of Congress, aud abstaincd
from a,l doubtful authority. recommend that
her senators and representatives be promptly all
mitted to their seats, AMI that the State be fully
restored to its place in the family OF States.
MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS.
Elections were called II Mississippi and Texas,
to commence on the 3oth November; two days in
Mississippi AMI foar days in Texas The elections
have taken place. but the result Is not known
l. Is hoped that the acts OF the Legislatures Of
these States, when they meet, will be such as to
receive your approval, and thus close the work OF
reconstruction.
TIE CURRENCY AND DEBT
Among the evils growing out Of the rebellion,
md not yet referred TO- is that OF an rredeemable
currency. 1t Is an evil which hope will receive
your most earnest attention. 1t is duty, and
one of the highest duties of q government. 10
secure to the citizen medium OF exchange OF fix
ell AMI unvarying value This implies return
to spcc!e basis, and no substitute for 1t can he
devised. II shnIii he commenced now and reach
cd 4. The 9ar..e:t practicable moment consistent