In our efforts to preserve 'the unity of government which constitutes as one people' by restoring the States to the condition which they held prior to the rebellion, we should be cautious, lest, having rescued our nation from perils of threatened disintegration, we resort to consolidation, and in the end absolute despotism, as a remedy for the recurrence of similar troubles.
Second Annual Message
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More from Andrew Johnson
To the House of Representatives: I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, in reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives adopted on the 26th instant, making inquiries relative to a naval force at Hayti.
I transmit a report from the Secretary of State and a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers.
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.
I transmit to Congress the accompanying documents, which embrace all the papers that have been submitted to me relating to the proceedings to which they refer in the States of North Carolina and Louisiana.
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