Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-12-28
pRESInENT,S MESSAGE.
To tie Senate Of tie tWtea States

10 Tie Senate Of tie CHted States,
In reply to a resolution adopted by tho
Senate on the 18th, / have the honor To
. state that the rebellion wagcd by a portion
of the people against the properly consti-
tuted authorities of the United States has
been suppressed, that the United States are
in possession Of every State in which the
rebellion existed, and that as far as could
be done, the Courts of the United States
have been restored post-ofccs re estab-
lished, 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 to inducing re-
sumption of the functions of the States
comprchendod in the inquiry of the Sanatc,
the people in North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louis
lana, Arkansas and Tennessee have reergan-
lied their respective State governments,
and arc yielding obedience to the laws and
the government of the United States with
more willingness and promptitude than un-
der the circumstances could reasonably have
been anticipated. The proposed amend
mcnt to the Constitution, providing for the
abolition Of slavery forever within the lin.
its Of the country, has been ratified by each
one of these States, with the exception of
Mississippi, from which no official informa.
ton has been received, and in nearly all of
them measures have been adopted. and are
now pending, to confer on freedmen privil.
cgcs W hlch are essential to their comfort,
protection and security.
In Florida and Texas the people are max
ing commendablc propress inrcstoring their
State governments, and no doubt is enter
tanned that they will at an early period be
in condition to resume all their practical
rnI a u, Il tIo Ifnlo,,t
In that portion Of the Union lately in re-
bellion the aspect of affairs is more promis-
ing than in view Of all the circumstances
could have been expected. The people
throughout the entire South evince a laud-
able desire to renew their allegiance to the
Government, and to repair the devasta-
tons OF war by prompt and cheerful re-
turn to peaceful pursuits. Anabiding faith
is sentertained that their actions will conform
to their professions, and that in acknowl.
cding the supremacy of Constitution and
Laws of the United States their loyalty will
be unrcscrvedly given to the Government
whose lcnlcncy they cannot fail to apprec-
ate, and whose fostering care will soon re-
store them to a condition Of prosperity.
1t is true that in some of the States de-
moralzng effects of the war arc to be seen
in occasional disorder, but these are local
in character, not frequent in occurrence,
and are rapidly disappearing as the author
lty OF the civil power is extended and sus.
tained. Perplexing questions were natur.
: ally to be expected from the great and sud.
den change in the relations between the two
races, but the systems are gradually devel
Ing themselves under which the freedman
: will receiving protection to which ho il
, Justly entitled, and by means of his labor
make himself useful and Independent
member of the community in which he has
his home.
From all the information in mypossession
and from that which | have recently de
, rived from the most reliable authority,
am induced to cherish the belief that per.
sonal animosity is surely and rapidly merg.
ing itself into spirit Of nationality, and
that representation, connected with prop
crly adjusted system of taxation, will result
in harmonious restoration of the States,
to the National Union.
The report of Carl Shurz is herewith
transmitted as requested by the Senate.
No report from the Hon. John Covodc
has been received by the President.
The attention Of the Senate is invited to
accompanying report of Lieutenant Gcner-
al Grant, who recently made n tour of in
spection through several of the States
whose inhabitants participated in the rebel.
lion.
Signed. ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, Dec. Is, lSG5