Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-21
Message Of President johnson.
REPORT OF GEN. GRANT.

ply to the resolution adopted by the Senate
on the 18th, have the honor to state that
the rebellion waged by a portion of the peo-
pie against the properly constituted authorl-
ties of the government of the United States
has been suppressed; that the United States
are in possession Of every State in which the
instruction existed, and that as far as could
be. the courts of the United States have been
restored, postoffices re-established, and steps
taken to put into effective operation the reye-
nue. laws Of the country. As the result of
the measures instituted by the Executive,
with view of inducing resumption of the
functions Of the States comprehended in the
enquiry of the Senate, the people in North
Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Missis-
sippi, Louisiana Arkansas and Tennessee
have recognized, their respective State Gov
ernments now yielding obedience to the laws
and government of the United Statas with
more willingness and greater promptitude
than under the circumstances could reason
ably have been anticipated.
The proposed amendment to the Constitu-
ton providing for the abolition Of slavery
forever within the limits of the country has
been ratified by each one Of these States
with the exception of Mississippi, from
which no official information has been re-
ceived, and in nearly all of them measures
have been adopted, or are now pending, to
confer upon the freemen the privileges which
are essential to their comfort, protection and
security. In Florida and Texas the people
are restoring their State Government, and
no doubt is entertained that they will at an
early period be in a condition to resume all
of their practical relations with the Federal
Government in that portion of the Union
lately in rebellion. The aspect of affairs
are more promising than, in view of all the
circumstances, could have been expected.
The people throughout the entire South
evince laudable desire to renew their ale
glance to the Government and to repair the
devastations of war by a prompt and cheer
full return to peaceful pursuits. An abiding
faith is entertained that their actions will
conform to their professions, and that, in
acknowledging the supremacy of the COnsti-
tuition and the laws of United States, their
Loyalty will be mrt servedly given to the
government whose leniency they cannot fail
to appreciate and whose fostering care will
soon restore them to condition of prosperi-
ty. 1t is true that in some of the States the
demoralizing effects of the war are, to be
sure, occasionally disorderly, but these are
local in character, not frequent in occur
renee, and are rapidly disappearing as the
authority of the civil power is extended
and sustained.
Perplexing questions were naturally to be
expected from the great and sudden change
in the relations between the two races, but
systems are gradually developing themselves
under which the freedman will receive the
protection to which he is justly entitled, and
by means of his labor, make himself use
full and Independent member of the commu-
nifty in which he has his home. From all
the information in MY possession, and from
that which have recently received from the
most reliable authority, l am induced to
cherish the belief that personal animosity is
surely and rapidly merging itself into spir-
it of nationality, and that representation,
connected with properly adjusted system
of taxation, will result in a harmonious res
toration of the relations of the States to the
national Union.
The report of Carl Schurz is herewith
as requested by the Senate.
No report from the Hon. John Covode
has been received by the President.
The attention of the Senate is invited to
the accompanying report of Lieutenant Gen
eral Grant, who recently made tour Of in
spection through several of the States where
the inhabitants participated in the rebel
lion. ANDREW JOHNSON.
HEADQ'Rs ARMY OF UNITED STATES. |
December Is, 1865.
To his Ercellency ANDREW johnson, President
Of the Uuited States:
SIR-In reply to your note Of the 18th
inst, requesting report from me giving
such information as | may be possessed of
coming within the scope of the inquiries
made by the Senate of the United States in
their resolution of the 18th, have the hon
or to submit the following, with your APP
provaI, and also that ofthe honorable Secre-
tary of War.
left Washington City on the 29th of last
month for the purpose of making tour of
inspection throughout some of the Southern
States lately in rebellion, and to see what
changes were necessary in the disposition of
the country, how these forces could be re-
iuced and expenses Curtailed, &c, and to
learn as far as possible the feelings and in
.entions of the citizens of those States to-
ward the General Government. The State
Of Virginia being so accessible to Washing
.on and information from this quarter there
lore so readily obtained, fastened through
he State without conversing or meeting
Wit its citizens.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, l spent one
Law, in'Charleston, South Carolina, two days,
n Savannah and Augusta, Georgia, leach
1ne dav. But in leaving and whilst stopping
r. saw much and conversed freely with the
.itizens of those States as well as with officers
r II L. Il,
hem. The following are the conclusions
,ome to by me: l am satisfied that the
mass Of thinking men of the South accept
he present situation of affairs in good faith
The questions which have hitherto divided
he sentiments of the people of the two sec
ions, are Slavery and State rights, or the
light of State to secede from the Union.
This they regard as having been settled for
yer by the highest tribunal-that man can
esort to. | was pleased to learn from the
eading men whom l met, that they not only
ccept the decision arrived at as final, but
low the smoke of battle has cleared away,
nd time has been given for reflection, that
his decision has been a fortunate one for
he whole country, they receiving a like
eneft from it with those who opposed
hem in the field and in the council.
Four years of war, during which law was
xecuted only at the point of the bayonet
throughout the States in rebellion, have left
he people possibly in a condition not to
ield that ready obedience to civil authority
he American people have generally been in
he habit of yielding. This would render
he presence of small garrisons throughout
hose States necessary until such time as la
or returns to its proper channel and civil
uthority is fully established | did not
leet auy one, either those holding places
nder the government or citizens of the
outhern States, who thought it practical to
ithdraw the military from the South at
resent. The white and the black mutually
equire the protection o. the General Gov
rnment.
There is such universal acquiescence in
he authority of the General Government
lroughout the portions of the country visited
V me, that the mere presence of a military
,rce, without regard tonumbers, is sufficient |
maintain order. The good of the country |
,quiresthat the force be kept in the interior, |
here there are many freedmen, should all |
e white troops The reasons for this are |
bvious. Without mentioning many ofthem, |
ne presence of black troops, lately slaves, |
emoralizes labor both by their advice and |
in their camps 4 resort for the /
for long distances around the |
Il;