Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-12-21
photographic,


| .rg.a.1tsr--rs Senate. ~ v.er srs s.-'H
TO the Senate Of The United States: 5-. ~
In reply to a resolution adopted by the
Senate on the l2th, have the honor TO
state that the rebellion, waged by portion
OF the people against the properly consti-
tuted authorities of the Government of the
United States, has been suppressed; that
| the United States are now in possession of
every State in which the Instruction ex-
isted, and that as far as could be done, the
courts of the United States have been re-
stored, postoifices re-established, and steps
taken to put into effective operation the
revenue laws of the country.
AS the result of the new measure insti-
tuted by the Executive with the view of in
ducing resumption of the functions of the
States comprehended in the inquiry of the
Senate, the people in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee, have
reorganized their respective State Govern
ments, and are yielding obedience to the
laws and Government Of the United States
with more willingness and greater prolnpti-
tude than, under the circumstances, could
reasonably. have been anticipated. The
proposed amendment to the Constitution
providing for the abolition of slavery for
ever, within the limits of the country. has
been ratified by each one of these
states, with the exception of Mis-
sissippi, from which no official in
formation has been received, and in
nearly all of them measures have been
adopted, or are now pending, to confer up
on the freedmen the privileges which are
essential to their comfort protection and
security. In Florida and Texas the people
are making commeDdable progress in re-
storing their State Governments, and no
doubt Is entertained that they will at an
early period be in 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 is
more promising than, in view of all the cir
cumstances, could well have been expected.
The people throughout the entire South
evince laudable desire to renew their al
legiance to the Government and repair the
devastations of war by prompt and cheer
ful return to peaceful pursuits. Anabding
faith is entertained that their actions will
conform to their professions, and that in
acknowledging the supremacy of the Con-
stitution and the laws of the United States
their loyalty will be unreserVedly given to
the Government, whose leniency they can
not fail to appreciate, and whose fostering
care will soon restore them to a condition
of prosperity.
II is true that in some of the States the
temoralizing effects of the war are to be
seen In occasional disorders, but these are
local in character and infreQuent in appear
ahce, and are rapidly disappearing as the
authority of the civil power is extended
and sustained. PerpleXing questions were
naturally to he expected from the great
and sudden change in the relations be-
tween the two races; but systems are grad
ually developing themselves, under which
the freedman will receive the protection to
which heis justly entitled, and by means
of his labor, make himself q useful and in
dependent member of the community in
which he has his home. From all the in
formation in my possession, and from that
which l 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 that representa-
tion, connected with a properly adjusted
system of taxation, will result in harmo-
nious restoration of the relations of the
States to the national Union.
The report of Carl Schurz Is herewith
transmitted, as requested by the Senate.
No report from the Hon. John Covode has
been received by the President. The at
tention of the Senate is invited to the ac-
companying report of Lieutenant General
Grant, who recently made 3 tour of inspec-
tlon through several of the States whose
inhabitants participated in the rebellion.
lSignedl ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is.