Andrew Johnson: “The fruits of their labors should be enjoyed by our citizens rather than used to build up and sustain moneyed monopolies…”

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.

Strongly impressed with the truth of these views, I feel called upon by an imperative sense of duty to revive substantially the recommendation so often and so earnestly made by President Jackson.

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.