Year: 1868

nave been reduced to military dependen-
cies, in each of which the people have


been made subject to the arbitrary will
of the commanding general. Although
the Constitution reqnires that each State
shall be represented in Congress, Vir-
ginia, Mississippi and Texas are yet ex-
cluded from the two Houses; and, con-
trary to the express provisions of that
instrument, were denied participation
in the re cent election for President and


Vice President of United States. The
attempt to place the white population
under the denomination of persons of
color in the South has impaired if not
destroyed the Kindly relations that had


previously existed between them, and


mutual distrus: has engehdered feel
ing of animosity, which, feading, in
some instances to collision and blood
shed, has prevented that cooperation


between the two races SO essential to
the success of industrial enterprises in
the Southern State& Nor have the in
habitants of those States alone suffered
from the disturbed condition OF affairs
growing out of these congressional en-
actments. The entire Union has been
agitated by grave apprehensions of
troubles which again involve the peace of
the nation. Its interests have been in
juriously affected by the arrangement
of business and labor and the consequent
want of prosperity throughout that por-
tion of the country. The Federal Con-
stitution-the Magma Charta of Amer
lean rights, under whose wise and sal
utary provisions, we have successfully
conducted all our domestic and foreign
affairs, sustained ourselves in peace and
in war, and become a nation among
the powers of the earth-must assuredly
be now adequate to the settlement of
the questions growing out Of the civil
war waged alone for its vindication.
This great fact is made most manifest
by the condition of the country when
Congress assembled in tho month of
December, 1865. Civil strife had ceased.
The spirit OF rebellion had spent its ea-
tire force. In the Southern States the
people had warmed into national life,
and throughout the whole country Il
healthy reaction in public sentiment had
taken place, BY the application of the
provisions of the Constitution, the exc
cutive department, with the voluntary
aid of the States, had brought the work
of restoration as near completion as was
within the scope of its authority, and
the nation was encouraged by the pros
pect OF an early and satisfactory ad-
jnstment of all its difficulties. Congress
however, interviewed, and refusing to
perfect the work SO nearly consumated
declined TO admit members from the I'M
represented States, adopted a series of
measures which arrested the progress
of restoration, frustrated all that had
been so successfully accomplished; and
after three years of agitation and strife
has left the country farther from the
attainment of Union and fraternal feel
ing than at the inception of the congress
sional plan of reconstruction. 1t needs
no argument to show that legislation
which has produced such baneful con-
sequences should be abrogated, or else
made to conform to the genuine prin-
ciples OF republican government.


Under the influence of party passion
and sectional prejudice, other acts have
been passed not warranted by the con-
sti,ution. Congress has already been
made familiar with my views respect
ing the tenure of office bill. Expert
ence has proved that a repeal is de-
manded by the best interests of the
aud that while it remains in
force the Prcsinent cannot enjoiu that
rigid accountability of public officers SO
essential to an honest and efficient exc
cution OF the laws. Its revocation
would enable the executive department
to exercise the power OF appointment
and removal in accordance with the
original design of the Federal Colstitu-
tion. The act of March I'd, 1867, ma
king appropriations for the army for
the year ending June 80, 1868, and for
other purposes, contains provisions,
which interfere with the Presidents
functions as Commader-in-
Chief of the Army, and deny to the
Union the right to protect themselves
by means of their own militia.


These provisions should be at once
annulled for, while the first might in
times of great emergency seriously EN-
barrass the Executive in his efforts to
employ and direct the common strength
OF the nation for its protection and
preservation, the other Is contrary to the
express declaration of the Constitution,
that a well regulated militia being
necessary to the security of free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear
arms snail not he infringed. 1t is be-
lieved that the repeal of all such laws


would be accepted by the American peo-
pie as at least a partial return to the
fundamental principles of the govern
ment, and Indicative that hereafter the
Constitution is to be made the nations
safe and unerring guide. They can be
productive of no permanent benefit &c
the country, and should not be permitted
to stand as so many monuments OF the
deficient wisdom which has characterized
our recent legislation. a 1lr =,


The condition of our finances demands
the carly and earnest consideration OF
Congress. Compared with the growth
of our population, the public expenditures
have reached an amount unprecedented
in our history. The population OF the
United States in 1890 was nearly 1o;r
millions of people. Increasing each de-