I earnestly invoke the attention of Congress to the consideration of such measures within its well-defined constitutional powers as will secure to all our people a free exercise of the right of suffrage and every other civil right under…

The wrong does not expend itself upon those whose votes are suppressed.

Good will and cordiality have characterized our relations and correspondence with other governments.

The security of our coast cities against foreign attacks should not rest altogether in the friendly disposition of other nations.

Our people will await with interest and confidence the results to flow from so auspicious a meeting of allied and in large part identical interests.

No obstacle is believed to exist that can long postpone the consideration and adjustment of the still pending questions upon satisfactory and honorable terms.

Such aid should be, as it always has been, suggested by some exceptional conditions.

The state of the Union is known from day to day, and suggestions as to needed legislation find an earlier voice than that which speaks in these annual communications of the President to Congress.

It is neither safe nor wise to leave these people longer to the expedients which have temporarily served them.

Special Customs Rule No. 1 is hereby amended by adding to the places excepted from examination at the port of New York the following:Office of the General Appraiser: Chief clerk and law clerk.

With these brief suggestions the bill is respectfully returned, and the consideration of Congress invited to the accompanying preamble and resolutions.

I transmit herewith, in answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th of December last, a report from the Secretary of State of the 6th instant.

No power exists in the Constitution authorizing the joint resolution or the supposed law--the only difference being that one would be more palpably unconstitutional and revolutionary than the other.

Feeling constrained to withhold my consent, I herewith return the resolution to the Senate, in which House it originated, with a brief statement of the reasons which have induced my action.

The danger of a defeat of the popular choice in an election by the House of Representatives is no greater than in an election made nominally by the people themselves.

I transmit the accompanying communications from the Secretary of the Interior, together with the papers to which they have reference.

The foregoing views have long been entertained by me.

In compliance with and execution of the act of Congress before mentioned, do issue this my proclamation, announcing the fact of the ratification of the said amendment by the legislature of the State of Louisiana.