The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-12-09
be permitted within the territory Of the
United States.
THE INDIANS.


be permitted within the territory Of the
United States.
THE INDIANS.
Tie policy pursued towards the In
diaGs has resulted favorably so far as
can be Judged from the limited time
duriug which it has been in oneration
through the exertions of the various
societies Of christians, to whom has been
entrusted the execution of the Motley,
and the Board of Commissioners author
lied by the law Of April 10th, 1869.
AMNESTY.
More than six years having elapsed
since the last hostile gun was fired be-
tween the armies then arrayed against
each otber-one for the perpetuation,
aud the other for the destruction Of the
Union, it may be well considered vbeth-
err it is not time that the disabilities i'm
posed by the fourteenth amendment
should be removed that the amendment
does not exclude the ballot, but only re-
quires the disability to hold Office OF
certain classes, when the purity Of the
ballot and secure majorities are sure TO
elect officers rejecting the views Of the
majority | do not see the advantage or
propriety of excluding men from Office
merely. They were, before the rebellion,
men Of standing and character SUFFICIENT
to be elected to positions requiring them
to take an oath to support the Coostitu
ton. and admitting 10 eligibility those
entertaining the same views, but Of Less
standing in their communities. 1t may
be said the former violated an oath while
the latter did nor The latter al not
have it IN their power to do so. II ,hey
had taken this oath, it cannot be doubled
they would have broken it as did th,
former class. If there is any great Grim
inals DISTINGUISHED above all others for
the part they took in opposition TO the
Government. they might, in the Judgment
OF Congress. be excluded from such an
amnesty. This subject is submitted for
your careful consideration.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
The condition Of the Southern States
are. uuhappjly, not such as all true, pa
triotic citizens would like to see. Social
ostracism for opinions sake, personal Vi
olence, or threats towards persons enter
tanning political views opposed to those
entertained by the majority Of the old
citizens prevents immigration and the
flow of much ueeded capital into the
States lately in rebellion 1t will be a
happy condition Of the country when the
old citizens Of these States will take an
interest in public affairs and pronulgaie
ideas honestly entertained. vote for men
representing their views aud permit the
same freedom of expression and ballot
in those entertaining different political
x x *
CIVIL SERVICE.
In my message to Congress one year
ago l urgently recommended sreforQ
10 the civil service Of The country. Ia
conformity with that recommendation
Congress, in the oh section Of an act
making appropriations for sundry civil
expenses OF the Government, and for
other purposes, approved March 3, 1871,
gave the necessary authority TO the tx
scutiee to iuaugurate "A civil service re-
.orm and placed upon him the respon-
,ibility of doing so under Ne authority
Of said law 1 convened board Of
gentlemen emineuhy qualified for the
work, to devise rules and regulations 80
fleet the needed reform Their labors
IRE not yet complete, but is believed that
hey will succeed in devisinga plan which
can be adapted to the great r-...sf Of the
and heads of xaeents
and members of Congress, which
will resouud to the true Interest Of the
public service. At all events, the ex-
pertinent shall have a fair trial
have thus hastily summed up the
operations Of the Government during
he last year and made such suggestions
As occur to me to be proper for your cou-
sideration [ submit them with a con
ideuce thQt-your combined action will
be wise, statesmau,like aud in the best
interest of the whole country.
L. S. GRANT, President.
Executive Mansion, Dec 4, 1871.