THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
The message of
President Johnson to the second session of the Fortieth Congress was laid before the
Senate and House of Representatives on December 3.He announces that his well-known convictions on the reconstruction
measures of Congress are not only unchanged but strengthened by late events and further
reflections. He reiterates his old arguments that the Southern States never having been
out of the Union are entitled to all the rights and privileges conferred by the
Constitution of the Union, and that the establishment of the present military governments
at the South are usurpations on the part of Congress not justified by the Constitution. He
recommends the repeal of the acts which established these governments as unconstitutional.
He charges that "it is manifestly and avowedly the object of these laws to confer
upon the negroes the privilege of voting, and to disfranchise such number of white
citizens as will give the former a clear majority at all elections in the Southern
States." And declares that "the subjugation of States to negro domination would
be worse than the military despotism under which they are now suffering.
He calls this effort to clothe the
negroes with a power which may be their protection in the future an effort to establish
"negro governments," and asserts that after being established in control of the
South, the negroes can not maintain their supremacy, and that without military power they
are wholly incapable of holding in subjection the white people of the South. He therefore
argues that these "negro governments" will have to be maintained at a cost of
$200,000,000 to the General Government.
In alluding to matters of
lesser moment, he recommended the repeal of the "Tenure of Office Bill" in order
that the Executive may correct, by the removal of certain officers, the system of
collecting and disbursing the national revenue, and prevent the now frequent frauds on the
Treasury.
Articles Related to Overt
Obstruction of Congress:
Congress
February 2, 1867, page 67
February 16, 1867, page 99
March 16, 1867, page 163
How Long?
June 29, 1867, page 402
Reconstruction and Obstruction
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Summer Session
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Fortieth Congress
July 17, 1867, page 467
Thanks to the District Commanders
July 27, 1867, page 467
Impeachment Postponed
July 27, 1867, page 467
A Desperate Man
August 13, 1867, page 546
The Secretary of War
August 24, 1867, page 530
Samson Agonistes at Washington (cartoon)
August 24, 1867, page 544
The Stanton Imbroglio (illustrated satire)
August 24, 1867, page 542
Secretary Grant
August 31, 1867, page 546
Southern Reconstruction
August 31, 1867, page 547
The Political Situation
September 7, 1867, page 562
General Thomas
September 7, 1867, page 563
Southern Reconstruction
September 7, 1867, page 563
The General and the President
September 14, 1867, page 578
General Sickles Also
September 14, 1867, page 579
Southern Reconstruction
September 21, 1867, page 595
The Presidents Intentions
September 28, 1867, page 610
Impeachment
October 5, 1867, page 626
The Main Question
October 5, 1867, pages 626-627
Suspension during Impeachment
October 19, 1867, page 658
"Disregarding" The Law
November 2, 1867, page 691
Impeachment
December 14, 1867, page 786
General Grants Testimony
December 14, 1867, page 786
The Presidents Message
December 14, 1867, page 787
General Grants Letter
January 1, 1868, page 2
Secretary Stantons Restoration
January 25, 1868, page 51
Reconstruction Measures
January 25, 1868, page 51
The President, Mr. Stanton and General Grant
February 1, 1868, page 66
Romeo (Seward) to Mercutio (Johnson) (cartoon)
February 1, 1868, page 76
The War Office
February 1, 1868, page 77
Secretarys Room in the War Department (illus)
February 1, 1868, page 77
The New Reconstruction Bill
February 8, 1868, page 83
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