President Andrew Johnson, Washington, December 9, 1868....

...It may be safely assumed, as an axiom in the government of States, that the greatest wrongs inflicted upon a people are caused by unjust and arbitrary legislation, or by the unrelenting decrees of despotic rulers, and that the timely revocation of injurious and oppressive measures is the greatest good that can be conferred upon a nation. The legislator or ruler who has the wisdom and magnanimity to retrace his steps, when convinced of error, will sooner or later be rewarded with the respect and gratitude of an intelligent and patriotic people.

Our own history--although embracing a period less than a century--affords abundant proof that most if not all of our domestic troubles are directly traceable to violations of the organic law and excessive legislation....

- Message to the U.S. House and Senate. [Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873. THURSDAY, December 10, 1868.]