The colored American., 1865-12-30
We give below message from Presi-
dent johnson on matters connected with
OR race. We commend it to the atten-
tion Of our readers
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT.
70 Tie Senate ofAe Uaited States:

n me Oen0te q me U?1lte0 STATES:
In reply to the resolutions adopted by
the Senate on the 18th, I have the honor
to state that the war waged by portion
of the people against the properly con-
stituted authorities Of the Government OF
the United States has been suppressed !;
that the United States are in possession
cf every State in which the insurrection
existed, and that, as far as could be, the
Courts Of the United States have been
restored, post Offices re~establishe6, and
steps taken to put into effective operation
the revenue laws Of the country. As the
result Of the measures instituted By the
executive, with view Of inducing re-
sumption Of the functions of the States,
c3mplehended in the inquiry Of the SEN
/; atc, the people in North Carolina, South
Carolina; Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee, have
reolganized their respective State Gov
ernments, and are yielding obedience to
The laws and Government of the United
States with more willingness and greater
proraptitudc than, under the circum-
stances, could reasonably have been an
tlciF ated
The proposed amendment to the Con
s:itutiOn, providing for the abolition Of
slavery forever within the limits Of the
country, has been ratified by each one of
thee States, with the exception of Mis-
sissippi, from which no official informa.
tion has been received, and in nearly all
ot thom measures have been adopted or
are now pending, TO confer upon the
freedmen the privileges VIII ch are essenti-
III to their comfort, protection and securi-
ty. Tn Florida and Texas the people are
making commendable progress in restor-
ing their State GoverE ments, and no doubt
entertain that they will at an early
period be in a position to resume all of
their political relations with the Federal
Government.
Tie aspect Of affairs is more promising
than, in view Of all the circumstances,
could have been expected. The people
throughout the entire South evince a
laudabIe desire to renew their allegiance
to the Government, and to repair the de-
vastations OF war by prompt and cheer
ful return to peaceful pursuits. An abid
ing faith is entertained that their actions
Will conform to their professions, and that
III acknowledging the supremacy OF the
Constitution and laws of the United
States, their loyalty will be unreservedly
given to the Government whose lenlency
thcy could not fail to appreciate, and
whose fostering care will soon restore
them to condition Of prosperity.
1t is true that in some of the States
the deteoralizing effects Of the war are to
be seen in occasional disorderly conduct,
but these are local in character, not fre-
.quent in occurrence, and are rapidly dis
appearing as the authority ef the civil
rowAr is extended and sustained Per-
picking questions were naturally to be
expected from the great and sudden
change in the relations between the two
races, our systems are gradually develop
ing themselves under which the freedmen
will receive the protection to which he is
Justly entitled and by means Of his color
make himself useful and independent
man Of the community in which he has
his home From all the information in
thy possession and from that which | have
recently received from the most reliable
authority, am induced to cherish the
belief that personal animosity is surely
and rapidly merging itself into spirit Of
nationality, and misrepresentation, con
nected with properly adjusted system Of
taxation, will result in harmonious re
storation Of the relations Of the States
to the National Union.
ANIREw JOHNSON, President.
Washington, Dec. Is, 1865.