. V V'l
US
One
PlWff 8 llSSAGE,
StTte ivFS PowiroT the general
Btate government a limited mTrnmnt wut. I
. w - - - - li im u.ir. . ' - " w
il.i r .. . -
4mbijmb oi umuauen spreads through
every form of administration, iron (rm 1 at a t a
jand tauafcipaf, and rest Wine fcreat distin
guishing principle of the recognition Tot the
rights of man. The ancient republics i absorb4-
i m. i . ""'"1,,JU activity.
PfllCB FIVE CEft3.
th- nrim. 1 T7' , V cuum toe just return of
SEES! JlWWiJIIp.
me power of nardon 1
l:tq f The Americm sjstem rests ,on the assertion
the equal right of every man to life, liber
ty, and the pursult'-of lianmnfelfWiAH
Fellow-Citizens of the Senaiemm i l?v,COflscle!:ic' totheul.uT and e'xeTdis of all
.-. and Uouse. of Representatives Jr lsp!ief:'AftAeonsequence, the state Got-
est of freedom.
? lurow a aerence orer
Tested
States:
rery precaution .to coqnect J with the clearest
ffiffi!lty0f force of thelawsof the
JSriS68' 811(1 1111 nqoaBfied acknowledg
fLfFt ao chang of conditions
regard to slavery which has grown out Of the
tamu '
restore
j The next step Which laTetaten to
must equally aToid' hasty assumntkma nf
natural ; impossibility for the two races to liTe
side .by side, in a state of mutual, benefit and
good will. The experiment involves us in no in
consistency ; let ns then, go on and make that
experiment in good faith, and not be too easflv
ujuca.i wiuca. me country is in neea or laOor.
'l ri. inn n n m a sr , . - j.- i r i
the neoole. for the mju; Vw " rVrr"i rc"B.iu WW of the ,. Union, as to
. I . v- nuuu Ui LilU 111
States;
UK W1ID firnner lianifntinna nf -nrA.
ftljWf Kre e5s6nUaja the "xUtenckoCihe.Constitu-
States, is my first jiuty. in .addressing you.
vui fc""guw,ieifcj;veri,to yie deal
lata President Wv nn
"hA irrief of th nm AH. :n rt . , T.I w ,v, otaiesi aiiaeem coms
someplace in the bSS DS BCemeDt we turned a place among
v in cu i rr.iija ciwa j rni. - - -i - tv . - . . .
nnnfiA wJ ,earxn, ixneiecurationuor
so, also
and when
that he brought the civil war suW
a close: that h is loss was VlnWd ; -n rrT?.?wvyquwon.,it, wasr,tne;aa-
of the Union :
"rendered justice to his memory. i
His remeval cast upon 'me a heavier we
of cares than ever devolved lift On 4MlW nna
r" , ma 7 vw V
fk coMUtuHoiia relaSoM f iVL - ftwdmen r In need of emplojmen
pmce.or,amendi
triot must wish
SKSiSSSS questioned, I would not advise their forced re-
moral and colonization. ' i
to enjoy the highest nronf nf itja
enterlne on the renewed -d y .tes,
Magistracy, :to which btbelafW Confederatfon:
SLA8 5 Public safety.::, Ft
irT, j , 18 OI -a.i conenrrence' Of
an opinions, and thisn!nf f . .
parties m the late terrible conflict must ork
Jpogetner m harmony.' n -' nn i; vj;s
i 'i,1 not too much to ask, in the name of the
uis preuecessors. xo xuinil my trust I need
ttie support anaconndence of all who are
sociated with meirf the varietis departments
of Government, and the support and confi
dence of the peop'e.: ;. There Is; but brie' way
in whiph l can hope lp gain tteir'necessary
aid : it is, to state i with-frankness; ;the prin-
- f l-i- J vvuuunj-umi LIltMF UT)l
plication to the preseat state of affairs-'Well
aware that the efficiency of, my Ubhrs nttl, iti
a great measurei depend on your and tbeir;un..
divided approbation.
THE SELAIIVE POSITKXST. OF ' THfl iBTAXESfTQ r
The union of the United States of . ; America
was intended by its authors to last as Ion as
the States themselves shall last. " The Union
shall be perpetual " a,re the words of the
confederation. "To form a mqre perfect
Uniok," by an ordinance of the people of the
United States," is the declared purpose of the
constitution. The band of Divine Providence
was never more plainly visible in the affairs of
men than in the framing and adopting of that
instrument. It , isj beyend comparison, the
greatest event m American history : and irt-
,r ; ; Ith? !PM.o.e.UnitiorBta,te8,';,pr
Uy to estMsh
pwtr sfe'nf rfear one by
SrA?1111?'1 a-thtf eventi t6o of W iaTra'end-
Jjrht n w ,w ttBttOfiM .meu proposition of
f ' uai ne sOflrm won .ot states.
iP1 i Without atafen.1 ,ftnA''ffrotf1KUBfc
iegislatlve ' government would1 be" Vahtin.
system M'Statesv The best security for the
perpetual: existence I of ; tbei states is the "su
preftie authority" of the constitution of the
med-State74;-,-7 - ,
: J-ne perpetuity? f the J constitution brings
.P?rReI of);$Sj!fcteau their
mutual relation makes usfwhat wc "are, and in
tour political system their connexion is indis
soluble. The, whole eftnnotexfsPwithout the
.parts, nor th mparts, MthOnt;tfte fwrhole. So
long as the contitution tthe,United States
endures, the states kill endure ) the destrucs
ition f the orieJisiihe destruction of the
other ;,.thepreservation of the one is the pres
ervatipn of the other. . "
I have hus explained, m j'vievs ef the mu
tual reJaipoa.,. of .the . constitution , and , the
states, oecause t$hey unfold the ; ptinciples on
whiclt I: have soaght to 'solve ihe momentous
questions and overcome the appalling difficuh
deed is it not, of all events ofmS A MfTrne-arerreoni
the most, pre-nant with -consequences Q f l.nmJihh 7 d
every people of the earth. tast object to escape from the sway of mo-
The members of the convention which Dre- me?tar Psions, an. to derive a healing
pared it, brought to their work the experience po'1C tm ihe fundamentaI aad unchanging
of theconfederatien,i0f their aeveral stated PnclP5f thecopstitntion. q H
and of other republican governments, old and WHAT TO DO with the cokqitebed tekkitokt.
found the srates; suffering from Uhe effect
Of a civil war.. Resistance to the General Gov
ernment appeared" ! to ' have4 exhaubted1 itself.
The United States had. recovered possession of
their forts and arsenals; and their armies were
'n Jftpenpatipn of every state which had
attempted, to secede. Whether the territory
within the limits of those States should be held
as conquered territoryj under military authority
emanating irom the president as the head of the
government 'would waht.Jnir
'And if wo look-beyond the letter of the con
stitution to the'eharadte 6f -ciur' country.1 its
capacity for comnrehendiner within ittD t nric.
wiunuu a vast continental empire, is due to the,i " " " cau popuiatlonv and capital,
owuiuj j iu iiiuj pares
r.,:r-"V" ouproceea in;. conformity with a
yillmgpess to cast the disorders of. the past in
fo oblivion; and that on the other, the evidence
ofsmcerityjae future maintenance of the
.Union shaU be.,nui hevnnrt v v..
ratification of the .proposed -.amendment to the
constitution, which provides for the abolition of
slavery forever within the limits of oar country,
bo lone as the adoDtion of thi
J"J,JJDU wus uouoi and jealousy, and
uncertainty prevail. "
. Ihmefs Thickwill efface the sad
memory of tfie past thisis the measure which
of the , TTnirtn tYot
neea inem most.r indeed it is not too much to
ask of the states which are now resuming their'
places in. the family, of, be Ifoion to,; give this
vieuge Ui perpetual loyalty and peace. Until it
is done,, the past, however much we may; desire
it, winnorneiorgotfon. - four milMons of people into freedom.
new; but tney needed and they obtained a
wisdom superior to experience, Ahhfenj
fr its validity it required the approval' ofar
people that occupied a large part of a contU
pent and acted separately in many distinct
conventions, what is more wonderful than
that, after earnest contention and long discus
sion, all feelings and all opinions were ulti
mately dravn in one way to' tfs. support?
The constitution to which life, was Jhus. im
parted, contains within itself ample .resources
for 'its-own preservation. . It has powerato eri-J
force the laws, .punish treason, -and ; ensure
domestic tranquility. In case 'of the us'urpa-
tion oi tne government pi a state by png man
or an oligarchy,' , it' becomes 'a, duty , of the
United States to make good the guarantee to
that State of a republican form of ffovernment.
and soto maintain the homogenedusnessr of all.
Does the lapse ot time reveal defects? 'A
simple mode of amendment is provided in the
conswiuuon luseix, bo uiai us conditions can
always be made to conform to the require
ments of advancing civilization. No room is
army, :asthe fifstiquestion tha presehteo! itself
or uecision.
allowed even for the thought of a possibility
of its coming to an end. ' : " ;?'.i;jS f"
And these powers of self-preservatipn' have
always been, asserted in their , complete inr
tegrity by every patriotic. Chief Magistrate-by
Jei3erson and Jackson, not less than by Wash
ington and Madison. The parting advice of
the Father of his Country, while yet presi
dent, to the people of the United States, was
that "the tree constitution, which was the
work of their hands, might be sacredly main
tained;" and the inaugural words of President
Jefferson held up " the: preservation, pf the
general government, in'its constitutional yio--.'
or, as the sheet anchor of our peaca at home
and safety abroad." j The constitution is the
work of "the .peopje of the United States1
an 1 it should be as indestructable as the people.
It is not strange that the framers'of the con
stitution, whit h had no model in., the past;
should not have fully comprehended the ex-
cellence of their own ; work. Fresh from a
struggle against arbitrary, power, many nat-
riots suffered from harrassing fears of ah ab
sorption of the state governments by the gene
ral government, and many from a dread that'
the states would break away from their nrhifci
But the very greatness of our .'couhtry should
.,11 Al U J . . . -
uuuy iu upprvueuBiou oi enexoaenments by
i in; general government. t . . ,
The subjects that come unquestionably
within its jurisdiction ''"arev so nunerous
that it must ever naturally refuse to be em-
t.arassed by questions that Jie beyond it
vere it otnerwiae, the iXecutive would.
tinK oeneam me burden; tht channels i of jus-.
tice would be blocked; legislation would' be
obstructed by excess; so that there is a great
er temptation to exercise some of the ifunci
tionsof the General Government through ! the
states thnn to trespass drf their rightful
decisions of the raajority," was, at ti)e ' be
ginning of the century, enforced by Jefferson
"as the vital principle of republics," and th"e
events of the last four yearahate established;
we will hope forever, that there lies no arn
peal to force. '";uT . . r
'I he maintainance of the Union brings witb
it "the support of the ... state Governpents in
all their rights;' but- it is - jnotVone of the
rights of any state Govern went to ..... renounce
iisun ii piavc iu uitj u iiiuu, or . .lu uuijiiy hue
laws of Union. The largest liberty" lU' to be
maintained in the discussion of the acts Of
the Federal Government; but there is no ap
peal frona its laws, except to the Various
branches of that Poyeromeftselmr to the
people who grant to the tnemberj'of (be Leg
islature and of the Executive Department-irit
tnuro but a limited one,'and in that njannerj
always retain the nowera nf roi-ieW I 71
ThBOVer2y of the -,Utov b thela
gnage of the Confederacy, and not' thVi h
guageofthe Constitution. The latter. con
tains the empnatic wbrds hetCdnsUtif
tion and ihe laws of the UnitedStateshicli
eball pe made inpursuance thereof and .all
treaties made or w hich shall 'be iridde trid&t
the authority of the United States, ahall be
the supreme law ot the land; "andUbe jadfrrj,
in every State shall bei bound thereby,; nny
thing in the cpnstUutibnrJaws.K any State
to th contrary notwith'standing, " .
Certainly . the . Government 'of the United
' Now, military governments esiablished for an
indefinite period, would have offered no security
for the early suppression of discontent ; wPuld
have divided the, people into vanquishers and, the
vauquisnea; ana would have envenomed hatred
rather than have restored affection (W
lished, no precise limit to their cbritinuance was
conceivable., They would have occasioned an in
calculable and exhausting expense. Peaceful
emigration to and from that pprtjoof the coun
try is one of the best means that can be thought
xvf. Kucrwauiiiaon, oi.Jiarmp57,and that emi
gration would have been prevented, for what emi
grant from abroad, what industrious citizen at
nome, would place himself willingly under mili
tary. mJe? :. . . -. . . .u. . .
.The chief persons who would have followed in
the train of the army would 'have :- been depend
ents on the general governmsnt, or men who ex
pected profit ifromi the , miseries of their 1 erring
fellow-citizens. The powers of patronage and
rule which would have been exercised,1 under the
piesjuent, over a vastd populous, and natur
ally1 wealthy region,1 are greater than, unless un
der extreme necessity, I,shpuld be willing to en
trust to any one man ; they ae sucf asfor my
self, I, could.,never. unless
emergency, consent to exercise. ThA wTifni 'n,
of ;suph powers, 4f, continued through a period of
w , . ".; cuwugeieu me purity oi tne
general admiqistration s and the liberties of the
states which remained loyal. i
Beside the policy pf; military rule over a-conquered
territory would have implied that the
spaces, wnose inhabitants mav hhvA t -r in
it uciuuu uau, Dy me act of those inhabitants,
ceased to exist. But' the true iheorir i that n
pretended acts of secession were, from the be-
auu -voiui me statesr cannot com
mit treason, nor screen the individual ritizpn
may have commitedtreasonjaoy more than they can
make valid treaties or enffasre in lawful Mninu.o
with any foreign poweri . The states attemptincr
owo piaceu inemseives m a condition where
uieu: viLaniy was impaired, but not extinguished:
their fc$njdedbut nodestfpyed.
THE DUTy'oP THE OENEKAL GOVEKHMEnViN THE
! WORK OF RESTORATION.
. - But if any state neglects to' perform its offices j
there is the more need that the eeneral eoverni
ment should maintain all its authority, and as
soon as practicable, resume the exercise of all
ftlmictiona.um,'thlsvprnpl"T''l,y8
and have gradually and quietly, and by almost
imperceptible steps, sought to restore the right
ful energy of the general government and of the
states. To that end, provisional governors have
been appointed for the stales, conventions called,
governor elected,' legislatures assembled, and
penators and representatives chosen to the con
gress of the. .United States.
! At ''the "same time, J the courts of the United
states, as far as could be done, have been reopen
ed, sp that theaws of the United States may be
enforced through ' their agency. The blockade
PL.bPemo-ed anLtho custom-houses re-es-tabhshed
in ports of entry, so that the revenue of
the United States may be coQecteoiMn 'Post
Office Department renews its ceaseless activity
and the General Government if thereby enabled
agent?mmiSar0mptly witb its officers and
The courts bring security, to persons and pro
perty ; the opening of the'pbrts ihiites the restora
tion of industry and commerce; therpoitf toffice
Renews the facihties of social mtercourse and of
bdsinesB. Ahd:is;itnothipp-yi6r ns
pstoraUoTr of ach one of these ttfectft& bf- the
general government .rings, wih it a Jblegsing to
the S tates, over which they are8 exteridedT t u
hot a sure promise of harmony and renewed at-
r -ZiT',rr----iVT "jf" "r au mat nas
happened, tiefjjrn. orthe general government
is known only as a beneficence 1 r ..nY.
I knowi very-weU-that' this molfptria
! ihe adoption ct the amendment reunites us
beyond all power of disruption. It heals the
wonndthatis etiU imperfectly closed ; it re
moves slavery the element which has so long
perplexed and devided the country y it'iakes
of us once more a united - people, renewed and
strengthened bound more than ever to mutual
affection aid ' support.
jne amenament to the constitution being
adopted, it would remain for ,the states, whose
powers have been so long in abeyance, to re
sume their places iu the two branches of . the
national legislature, and thereby complete the
work of restoration. Here it is for you, fellow
citizens of the senate, and for r you, .fellow-citi-zens
of the "house of representatives, to judge,
each, of you for yourselveei of the elections re
turns, and qualifications of your own members."
! The full assertion i of the powers of the gen
eral government requires the holding of circuit
v"u, yie uniiea estates .within the districts
where their authority has been interruptedV In
the present posture of our public affairs, strong
objections have been urged to holding those
courts in any of the states where the rebellion
has existed; and it was ascertained, by inquiry
that the circuit court of the United States would
not be hold within the district of Virginia during
the autumn or early winter, nor until congress
should have "an opportunity to consider and act
on the whole subject."
To your deliberations the restoration of this
branch of-the civil authority of the United States
is therefPre hecessaniy referred,, with the hope
that early provision- will be made for the resump
tion1 of 'all its former functions. It is manifest
that treason, most flagrant in character, has been
committed. Persons who are rhamed xrith u
I commissiori should have fair and impartial trials
m the highest civil tribunals of the country, in
order that the constitution and laws may be fully
vindicated; the truth clearly established and
affirmed that: treason is a crime; that traitors
should be punished and the offence made infam
ous ; ' and, at the same time, that the question
may be judicially settled, finally and forever, that
no state of its own will has the right to renounce
its place in the union. , . ;
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FREED MEN.
The relations of the general government to
wards the four millions of inhabitants whom the
war has called into freedom, have engaged my
most serious consideration. On the propriety of
attempting to make the freedmen electors by the
proclamation of the executive, I took for my
counsel the constitution itself, the interpretations
ui wiat instrument Dy its authors and their con
temporaries, and recent legislation by congress.
When, at the first, movement towards independ
ence the congress of the United States instructed
the several states to institute governments of their
own, they left each state to decide for itself the
conditions for the enjoyment of the elective
franchise. Mff. "r J;. ;
During the ' period of the confederacy,' there
continued to exist a very great diversity in the
qualifications of electors in the several jStates, and
even within a state a distinction-of qualifications
prevailed with regard to the officers who were
to; be chosen. The constitution of the United
States recognises these diversities when it enjoins
that, in the , .choice of membera of the - house of
representatives of the United States, "the elec
tors in each state shall have the qualifications re
quisite for electors of the most numerous branch
of the state legislature." After the formation of
the constitution, it 'i remained, as before, the uni-
Y3. wre acquiscence oi , tne, iStatesrWhiphit con-.
Cerns? ihat IttmnUAs an in vififiAn IAfHi'fli;. I
by renewingUeir anegiance to the.,Unite4 States,
I? "PJ9?t!!t Unctions as States" of the Union.
& must bortakeninlthe iichoice
PI OiniCUltieai it ift ih 4 nmVllnmt TicVitJ . t'
SJPle,toiremoven dangerI
j wiSru fccim1ent on me tb assert ojeothef
M Xet us rather encourage them td honorable and
useful industry where it may be beneficial to
themselves and to the country; and, instead of
uasty anaapauons or tne certainty Of failure, let
tuerp ue nwnmg wanung to the lair trial Of the
experiment The change in their condition is the
substitution of labor by contract for the status of
slavery,- j The freedman cannot fairly be accused
ca unwillingness to work, so Ipng as a. doubt re
mains about his freedom of choice in his pursuits,
and the certainty of his recovering his stipulated
wages. In this the interests of the employer and
The employer desires in his workmen spirit and
aiacrity, ana mese can be permanently secured
in no jother way. ;4jid if the one. ought to be
able to enforce the contract, so Ought the other..
The public interest will be best promoted. if the
several states win provide adequate protection
and remedies for the freedmen. Until this is in
some way accomplished, there is no chance for
the. , advantageous , use of their? labor ; and ' the
blame of ill-success will not rest on them, ,
I know tiat sincere philanthropy is earnest for
uic uumeuiaws leaiizauon oi its remotest aims;
but time is always an element in reforifci 'Itis
one of the greatest acts on record to have brought
xour uiuuuuB ui peopie mio ireedom. The career
of free industry must be fairly opened to them;
ana then then future prosperity and condition
must, aiter an, rest mainly, on themselves. If
they lad, and so perish away, , let us be careful
that the failure shall not be attributable to anv
utsuiat vi jusMt. an an ujat , relates to the des
tiny of the freedmen, we need not be too anxious
to read the future; many incidents which, from a
speculative point of view, might raise alarm, will
- A.1 1 . .... .... '
quieuy seiue memseives.
t ADVANTAGES OF. FREE 'ZiABOS.
Now that slavery is at an end, or near its end
the greatness ot its .evil, in the point of view
of public, economy, , becomes ; more and more
apparent. Slavery was essentially a monopoly
of labor, and as such locked the states where
it prevailed against the mcoming of free indus
try. Where labor was the property of the cani-
l.l.'.l , . t i i t. .
wwuii, mo wmie man was - exciuaea irom em-,
ployment, or had but the.second best chance of
nnamg it, and the foreign- emigrant turned
away, froInt Ae region where his condition would
oe so precarious. with the destrnnti nf
the monopoly, free labor will hasten from all
parts of the civilized world to assist in develop
ing various and immeasureable resources which
have hitherto lain dorment.
The eight or nine states nearest the Gulf of
Mexico have a soil of exuberent fertility, a cii
mate, friendly to long life, and can sustain a
denser population than is found as yet in any
part of our country. And the future influx
of population to them will be mainly from the
north, or from the most cultivated nations in Eu
rope. Fromrthe sufferings: that Jaave attended
them during our late struggle, let us look away
to future, which is sure to be laden for them
with greater prosperity than has ever before
been known. The removal of the monopoly of
slave labor is a pledge that those regions will
be peopled by a numerous and enterprising
population, which will vie with an j in the
Union in compactness, inventive genius, wealth
ana vmustry.
Our government springs from and was made
for the people not the people for the govern
ment. To them it owes allegiance; from them ii
must uenve na courage, strength and wisdom.
Uut, while the government is thus bound to de
fer to the people, from whom it derives its exist
ence, it should, from the very consideration of its
origin, be strong in its power of resistance'to the
establishment of inequalities. . Monopolies, per
petuities and class legislation are contrary to the
genius of free government, and ought not to be
allowed. Here there is no room for favored
classes or monopolies, the principle of our gov
ernment is that of equal laws and freedom of
industry.
Whenever monopoly attains a foothold, it is
sure to be a source of danger, discord and
trouble. We shall but fulfill fltur dnties an Uain.
T r r m m .
lators by according "equal and exact justice to
all men, 'S special privileges to none. The gov
ernment is subordinate to the people; but, as the
agent and representative of the people, it must
oe neia superior to: monopolies, which' in them
selves; ought' never to be granted. and whiV.h
where they exist, must be subordinate and yield
u uie, governmens.vi . ; , ; . j i i. - j
UNRESTRICTED OOMMERCB .BETWEEX THE STATES.
The constitution confers on congress the right
to regulate commerce among the several states
It is of the first necessity, for the maintenance of
tne union, that that commerce should be free and
unobstructed. No state can be justified in any
device to tax the transit of travel and commerce
J m ' I u. VV W MUA UAj
r:lmTX3f between states. The position of many states is
such that, if they were allowed to take advantage
its electorsaccordihg ; to 'its own judgment ; and,
under this system" one .' stA.t' n f tor unntw hoo
proceeded increase the number of its electors,
until, now universal suffrage, or something verv
near to it, is the general rule. . . . ; . . . , ;
So fixed was this reservajtion of power , in tie
habit of the, . people, and so unquestioned has
been the interpretation of the censtitnrtion, that
during the civil war the late president never har
bored the purpose certainly never avowed the
purpose--of disregarding it ; and in the acts of
congress, during that peri od, nothing can 'be
found which, during the continuance of hostili
tiesfcniuch less after their close, would have sanc
tioned any departure bv the executive from a
Policy .which has so uniformly obtained. , r
1 Moreover a concession of the elective franchise
to the freedmen, act of ' the president of the
State,nrust have been extended to all col
ored men, wherever found, and. so must have es
tablished a change of Suffrage -in the northern.
middle and western states,; not Jess than in the
southern and southwestern. Such an act would!
have created a new class of voters, and,weuld
haxe beenan assumption of power by the pres
ident wWch nothing hi . the constitution or laws
Of the United Stateswouid havef warranted..,
THil ji0BSTIO3l OF -FRANCHISE KEFERREDi t6 THR
.STATES
On the other hand, f everyt uger of conflict is
avoided when the settlement of th9 questiop is
refer jed tethe several states; ,nThe -canl'each
for itself, decide on the measure: 'and rAHwr it
fa to be adopted at once and absolutely,' or lnuo
duced gradualrrtndV with conditions: In mv
juogmem; xne 'ireeamen. If they .Show patience
of it for purposes of local revenue, the
between states might be injuriously burdened, or
even virtually prohibited. .. -. ;,,'' "
1 It is best; whfle the country is; still young,'and
while the tendency to dangerous monopolise of
uns ' xmd is stall feeble, to use the power of
congress so as to prevent any selfish impe
diment to the free circulation of men and mer
chandise. ' A 'tax on travel' and merchant
dise, in their , transit, , constitutes one of the
worst forms of monopoly, and the evil is increas
ed if coupled with a denial of the choice of route.
When the vast extent of our country is consid-
ered, it is plain that every obstacle to, the . free
circulation pf; commerce between the states ought
to be ; sternly rgnaMedagahist' byappropriate
legislation, within, ' the limits of the constitution.
" ' ;: interior ,departm3nt. -, i
The ( report ;of . e! secretary! of , the interior
explains the condition , of the - public lands lhe
tranjactionst of the, patent , office and the pen
sion bureau; the management of our Indian
iaffairs,: the progress made in the construction
of the 'Pacific railroad, and furnishes informa
tion Jin reference to matters of local interest ' in
the District of Columbia; ;j It also present eyi
denjees of the successful operation , of, tha1 home
Btes d act, under the provisionsf which 1,160,
533 acres of the publi9 hmds .werev entered. dur
ing the last fiscal ear-4niathan efburth of
the whole number of; acres 'aplcTtjirotherwise dis
possdof durihghat WiodY c
t Jt isestiniatetl that thd receipts ; derived,,from
"""vo are tsuuicienv wtbt me ; expenses
ana . uisposai xT tne lands
juogment, the -freeomen. If they .sbow payence incidehl to thi survey
C rT ?eWWPi' entered under this act, and that payments in cash'
uon m theJelective franchise throntrh t.Ti sfntAoF I , . JL J
i v 4.v. i rrr'.J """;ui, ql some iony or nicy per cents wul
had DOwer to intervened
When, the tumult of emotions that have been
raisea.ny .the suddenness of the social change
shall have subsided, it-may .prove that they win
receive the kindliest .usage from sonie pt those On
Whom ihevi have I iieretnfnra? m.t Jf riaAlvr A
be made by settlers, who may thus at -anyfitame
acquire tle before the expiration, of the " period
at whicli U would otherwise vestli The homestead
ymx,j no catauiiaiii vniy aiier a-iong ana ear- i
nest resistance f experience proves its wisdom.
The lands, in ther, hands of;the ' industrious set
tlers, whose labor creates Vealth; and contributes
to tne pubhc resources, are worth more to the
t P 2"0f WJ? SBEBPMm 0 H United States than if;they had been reserved as
Buwhile I have no doubt thatnbwafter the a solitude foi future' purchasers: : T ' ' ' iv
t t rROTEOTlON TO THE FREEDJCRNl-
i .i . , , :. .
ClOSe Ol.tne War. lt ISnot RniTVtinfi fnr.thfl friwl : Tlia lotnnnM. 'w ir il"2-liLl'fT? ,;' t
r. V ,.. "i v v (r - 3t- - - Tf y - . V JUUiUUMbUlIl CIT1 lid f II 1.1114 I M N.1 . 1 1 111 V vaSM
eTarg&yrimient Ipjextendthe "elective franchise and the sacrifices madeby tha gallant men of our
m the several sfates, it.is,eqn army and navy, has swelled i.h rerviwU f 1
Txng'- security of the freedmej Jn penspn -loman to an unprecedented exteat.Kn
the' 80th day of 4June 'tisi! tiwft' "total" nnmW
pensioners was 85,986, reqairing for their annual
57 Ttr"1" 'Pfnfe we sum of, $3,023,
445. The number oi applicaUons that have been
allowed - inc; thati date will require a large in-
uua amount ior ue next nscal year
! -The meanaforthe oavment ef thtinTW! Hi
under existing lawsr to ourl disabled soldiers and
aaiiors, ana to the rannlies of such as haveper
shed iin, Uie service, of theun. will ho.donbt
be cheerfully and promptly granted. A grateful
FwFi0 nw not nesitate xo sanction any measures
havmg for theii; (bbject the reUef of soldiers muti
lated and families" made fatherless in the efforts
r .preserje pm-.mtipnal existence., . w ,
j - The report of the postmaster general presents
the
postoffice department during the year. The
revenues of tlwpaalLyeaBironVithe &yal states
alone exeedd - the :;maxhnunr annual receipts
r;wui , s pievious to the rebellion in
the sum of 6,038,091; and the annual average
increase of revenue, during the' last four years
compared with the' revenues of tha- f-ni-
mmaediatery preceding the rebellion, was $3,533,-
- j UI ine "wc nscar year amount
ed to $14,556,158 and the exnenditnrAs a- i a
694,728, leaving a surplus of receipts over expen
ditures of $881,430. f f 1 --
- Progress has beenmade in restoring the postal
dci jw iu uie swuinern states. The views pre
sented by the postmaster general against the po
ncy oi granting subsidies , to; ocean mail steam
ship lines upon established' ;routes; and in favor
ui wuum uingme. present svstem whiVT nu
the compensation for ocean service to the postage
iud icwmmeuueu to tne careful con
si deration of congress, j. J ' "
: . !THB,-AVY DEPARTMENT.
It appears,1 from the renort of the
the navy,: tliat whileL: at the
- , - r t : . w t ...WLVWUVUV VI
tne present year, there were in commisson 630
vessels of all classes and descriptions, armed with
3,000 guns, and manned bv 51.000 thm t.TiA TnTv J
wi vi vrsweia.av presenJL. ml. commission 117
with 830 guns, and 12,128 men. By this prompt
KtrlnnfiAn -T- 4-1... -1 J- . j .... . F
lvul'ru UA luw "avai iorces,! the expenses of the
government have been largelv diminish' r
number of -vessels purchased; for naval purposes
from the merchant marine, have been returned to
the peaceful pursuits of commerce.
Since the suppression of active hnatfii
foreign squadrons have been j re-established and
consists of vessels much more efficient than those
employed on similar service previous to the re
bellion. The suggestion for the, enlargement of
the navy yards, and especially for the establish
ment of one in fresh water for iron ia,i oio
is deserving of consideration;1 as is also the re
commendation for a different location and more
ample grounds for the naval academy.
. . . - . THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
In the report of the secretary of war. a general
summary is (given of the military- campaigns of
18b4 and 1865, ending in the suppression of arm
ed resistance to the national ; authority in the in
surgent States. The oneraMrino f i
, r -ui nun general
nnistrative bureaus of the war department du
ring the past year are detailed, and an estimate
made of the appropriations that will be required
for knihtary purposes in the fiscal year commenc
ing the dOthday of June, 1866. The national
m'y force n the 1st of May, 1865, numbered
. ft is prpposed to reduce the; military, establish
ment to a peace footinsr.
thousand troops of all arms, j organized so as to
admit of an enlargement bv , filling nn th
to eightytwo thousand six hundred, if the oir.
,,t ,i. . . , ... '
uuiowuiues ui me country should require an aug
mentation of the armv. The volnntr f, i,
already been reduced by the discharge fromser
vice of over eight hundred thousand troopsand
the department is proceeding rapidly in the work
ui luiuier reuueuon. i
The war estimates are rednn.-xl
y,xou 10 ij,oo,oi4,4oi, which amount in the
opinion of the department, is adeauate fnr .
peace establishment. The measures Of retrench
ment in each bureau and branch of the service
exhibit a diligent economy worthy of commen.
uauoa. xyeierence is also made in the report to
me necessity ot providing for a uniform militia
system, ana to the propriety of maaing suitable
provision for wounded and disabled officers aad
soiaiers. r
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. '
The revenue system of the jcountry is a sub
ject of vital interest to its honor and prosperity
ana snouia command the earnest consideration
oi congress. The
8eCretarV -Of. the Iremmmr
:n i v.i- i . . J
ijr ueiore you a iuu and detailed report of
"uo ci,vFta uuu uisoursements oj the last fiscal
year, of the first quarter of the present fiscal
year, oi tne probable receipts and expenditures
ior the other three quarters, and the estimates
for the year following the 30th of iJunel866
I might content myself with a reference to that
report, in which you will find alt the informa
uon requirea ror your deliberations , and deci
sion. J f; ' . ... . , .,:
. Tx it. . . ' . . . " " I F
xui tne paramount importance of the subject
so presses itself on my own mind that I cannot
out lay Deiore you my views 1 of the measures
which are required for the good character, and I
might almost say, for the, existence of this people.
The life of a republic lies certainly in the energy
virtue and intelligence of its citizens ; but it is
equally true that, a good revenue vntm ia
hfe of an organized gpvermnent; ' I meet you at
a ume wnen the nation has voluntarily burthened
itself with a debt unprecedented in . our -annals.
Vast as is its amount, it fades away into noth
intp nothing pompared with the countless bless
ings that will be conferred upon our country and
upon man by the preservation of the nation's
life. '. ; ' i - ;.
"., Now, on the first occasion pf the meeting of
congress since the return of peace, it is of the ut
most importance to inaugurate a int rrx,
which shall at once be put in motion, and which
shall commend itself, to those jsvho come after us
for its continuance. ..We must Jlim at. nnffiintr
tbn e wmPlete efiacement of the financial
"ewssamyiouowed a stateof civil war?
We mustendeavprato apply the, earliest remedy
to the deranged 'state of the inrrencV 'flTiri
sshrink from devising a-policy which,' without be-
:f vppicaaivts m tne people, Shall immediately
begin to effect a reduction of the debt, and if per
sisted, in. discharge It fnllv
fixed number of years. i . .
ii is pur nrst duty to prepare in earnestfor am
Recovery from the eyemcxeasinff evils of an
jirredeemable currency, without a, sudden revul
sion, and yet ; without an untithel
pon. , For that end,- we must, each in our re
spective positions, prepare the way. I hold it
pne amy oiine executive to insist upon frugality
Sn the expenditures and. a.- nvirina mnnn.v ?
tself a great national resource. Of the banks to
mmca autnority nas been given - to issue i notes
Secured by. bonds of the . United States, we may
mrft the;greatest1 moderation and prudence,
tend thx law must be rigidly enforced when, its
Jimits are exceeded.- v..r .
j We may, each one. of.us.eouMel our
id enterising countrymen' W be ' constantly on
eir gaard - to: liquidato r debts contracted in a
iper currency. and;bv' condnctina Kntin
pearly, as possible on a system ofLcash payments
prrahort.credits, to hold themselves prepared to
"return to the standard of gold and silver. To aid
P. fen citizens hi the prudent management of
peiT monetary affairs, the duty devolves on us
j?hKM4WWpper money
pow m circuktion Five years ago the bank
otercnUtion:of Ao:ccry-amounted to not
much more than two hundred millions; now the
brculataon, bank and national. exceH.,fiJ
hundred millions. ,Oi.IA .
The simple statement of the fart
faore sfronghys than lanywords of a mine ' could
rv, uway oi restrauung this exnanVi
auo firatuu reaucuon oi, inej , currencyj is tne
only measure that, can save the . business ..of.
the country from disastrous calamities; ;andthis
can be ' almost imperceptibly, accomplished by
gradually funding the national; circulation 4n ie- '
curities that may hi made redeemable at the pleas-''
nrepf the government V '."r'i,'V.:':!
r Our debt is doubly Wnre-Sfirstlln tte'actnai i
wealth' and' still greater undeveloped resources '
of the country; ' and nea t in the character of our
institutions." The most intelligent .'observers'!
among poBtical economists have not failed to re-J
mark that the pubhc debt of the country is safe'
in proportion as its people are free: that the debt
of aTepuhhVis the safest of; M. (;Ourm'storyt ,
conflnnS and ' establishes ;.the theory, and is, I
firmly believe, destined, to give it a stUl more aig
nal illustraaon: The : secret of Wa, superibrity :
springs, not merely from the fact that in a repub-
lie the, natiopal;,pbhgations, are distributed more '
widely through countless, numbers in an'VijuM''
iof society; it has. its root .'in the character of our"
laws. . : ! ' . 5- ,, ;; 1 k- v i , '
Here all men contribute to the'pnblic Velfare. '
and bear their fair share of the public burdens.
During the war, under the impulses bfpatriom'
the men of the great body pf the, people, without
regard to their Own comparative want of wealth,
thronged toi our armies, and filled our fleets of
war, and f held i themselves ready to' offer their
lives for the public good. Now,f in their turn,1
the property, and income of the country should
bear their just proportion of ther burden of tax-'
ation, while incur impost system, ; through means
of Which increased rifalifvlo
ed to all the industrial Interests bf the haon, the
duties should be so adinstef
heavily on articles of luxury leaving the necet
sanes of life as free from taxation M ,thA h-
lute wantsof the . government, economically ad-f
ministered; will justify. .v.-i. ! . .. ,
No favored class should demand freedom from
assessment, and the taxes shotdd be so distribu
ted as not to fall unduly on the poor, but rather
on the accumulated wealth of the cmmtW w.w2
should look at the national debt just as it is-not
as a national Diessing, but , as a heavy Mrden on
the industry of the country, to be dincharirail.
without unnecessery delay. -; L? ,i T-
fit is estimated by the secretary of tha trans,1,-:
that the expenditures for the fiscal year ending
the 30th of June, 1866, -will exceed the receipte
$112,194,947. It is gratifying, however, to state'
that it is, also estimated that the revenue for t.h
year ending the 30th of June, 1867, wiU exceed
the expenditures in the sum of $111,682,818.
This amount, or 60 much as may be deemed suf
ficient for the purpose, may be applied to the re
duction of the public debt, which. nn .t.h aic
day of October, 1865, was $2,741,854,760, -
Every reduction will diminish the total amount
of interest to be paid, and so enlarge the means
oi still further reductions, until the. whole shall
be liquidated ; and this as will he seen by the es
timates of the secretary of the treasure- mv k
accomphshed by annual payments even within a
period not exceeding thirty years. I have faith
that we shall do all this within a reasonable
time ; that, as we have amazed the world by the
suppression jof a civil war which.was tAought to
be beyond the control of any government, so we
shall equally show the superiority of our institu
tions by the prompt and faithful discharge of our
national obligations.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The departmeofcof agriculture, under its nrp.
sent direction, is accomplishing, much in devel
oping and, utilizing the vast agricultural capaci
ties of the country, and for information senftt.
ing the details of Its management reference -Is
made to the annual report of the Commissioner.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGU POWERS.
I have dwelt thus fully on our domestic affairs
because of their transcendant importance. Un
der any circumstances, our great extent of ter
ritory and variety of climate, producing almost
every thing that is necessary to the wanti and
even the comforts of man, make us singularly;
independent of the varying policy ot foreign
powers, and protect us against every temptation
to " entangling alliances," while at the present
moment the re-establishment of harmony, and
the strength that comes from harmony, will be
our best security against nations who feel
power and forget right' i ..
For myself, it has been and it will be my con
stant aim to promote peace and amity with all
foreign nations and powers; and I have every
reason to believe that they all, without excep
tion, are animated by the same disposition. Our
relations with the Emperor of China, so.v recent
in their origin, are most friendly. Our commerce
with his dominions is receiving new developments4 '
and it is very pleasing to find the government Of
that great empire manifest satisfaction with our
policy, and reposes just confidence in the fairness
which marks our intercourse.
The unbroken harmony between the United
States and the Emperor or Russia is receiving a
new support from an enterprise designed to
carry telegraphic lines across the continent of
Asia, through his dominions, and so to connect
us with all Europe by a new channel ; of inter-'
course. ''. ; '. - ; w
Our commerce' with South America is abdut
to receive encouragement; by a - direct line pf
mail steamships to' the rising empire of Brazil, .'
The distinguished party of men of science who
have recently left our country f to . make a scien
tigc exploration of the natural historv f
and mountain ; ranges of that region, have re
ceived from the emperor that e eheron. 7Unnm
which rwas to have been expected from his con
stant friendship to the United' States; and his'
well known zeal in promoting the advancement
of knowledge. . :'r f , .
A hope is entertained that our rnmiriA mV.
the rich and populous countries that. Kn? u-
Mediterranean 4 sea mav be larolv f moa
Nothing will be wanting, on the part of this gov-
"-i iuc proujeuon or our - flag
over the enterprise Of otfr ' fellow-citizens, We
receive from the powers in that reon
jofgobd wOl; and it is worthy ' of note that a
special envoy has brought us messages of condol
ence on the death of our late, .chief magistrate
from the, Bey of Tunis, whose rule includesthe
old dommions , of Carthage, on the African
WOOL, , ,.ii. . . I , i I 'i' J
If IJ'
- THE COURSB OP . GREAT ' BRIT Anr. : ' ' V '' ' '
Our domestic eontesf,
Jeft some traces m our relations with at least one
jof the great inaratim ; powers ; The formal
Icordance of belligerent' rights to , the insurgemv
Pente and, has not been jusi
KS&r the Jytemsof :'m
toahty pursued by the powers which made that
concession, there was a marked difference 1 The
toatenalsof war for the msurgent ' states we
gj,i)-great 1 measure from Wwor
PyBntish subjecta, and prepared for eceiv.
mm i,armaments,;saile4 from Jh7 of
fnerce, under the shelter, of a- commission frem
m msurgent jtates.i oj lbffi
jlheae ampshaving once escaped from British1 "
fert'7er rwards ' enteredem mf every'
part? of the world tn 0ta i , V r
were njost disastrous, to the , statesmen bTreW-'
hon, mcreasing their desolation anlllttv
the ProlnnWinr, ti " .f? y r
vetheg
pinch of our shipping and ? our eommerV ttl
irery power whose subjects had created "hl -ZTC
pessity for sncha, chan t SKfS ne-;
r These events took place before I was called iA
the administration of the government? '
cere desire for peace by whichTS! ,V JV
me to -approve ?SSoiS,aIaffdledJ
ubmit ; ffie questionsPXS m
tween.the countries to wbiLtm , ',ari3en
-4