Andrew Johnson: “Without the Constitution we are nothing; by, through, and under the Constitution we are what it makes us.”

I would therefore recommend such an amendment of the Constitution as may remove all intermediate agency in the election of the President and Vice-President.

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.

My object in this communication is to suggest certain defects in the Constitution which seem to me to require correction.

The foregoing views have long been entertained by me.