The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-12-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
1r WAsnINeToN, December 10.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr. LANE, from the Committee on
Pensions, reported bill to amend a bill
Of last session to include those who have
served in the navy among those entitled
to twenty dollars per month pension for
the loss Of both feet. The bill passed.
Mr.. TRUMBULL gave notice of a
bill to enlarge the powers of the Freed
mems Bureau, so as to secure freedom to
all persons within the United States and
protect every individual in the full on
ljoyment of the rights of person and
property.
Mr.. WILSON introduced bill more
effectually to provide for national de-
fence by establishing a uniform militia
throughout the United States. It is his
bill of February last, organizing the gen.
eral militia system, and providing mill.
tary bureau Of Government. The bill
was referred to the Committee on Militia
ry Affairs.
Mr.. DO0LITTLE introduced bill in
relation to the Freedmcn's Bureau,
which authorizes the President to extend
and maintain branch of that Bureau in
any Stare in which slav cs. have been
emancipated by the operations of the war
or the amendment oil the Constitution !;
and also authorizes him to suspend its
operations in, or withdraw the military
forces from the States in which he is sat
isfied host!lities have ceased, the insur.
rection been suppressed, peace and order
restored, and the civil authority estab-
lished, and the laws SO modified as to
procure equal protection to all persons in
ali their rights, without distinction of
race or color, including the right to make
contracts, sue or be sued, appear as wit
nesses, buy or sell real or personal estate,
and all rights of property and personal
liberty. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. TRUMBULL gave notice Of bill
to enlarge the powers of the Frecdmen's
Bureau, so as to secure freedom to all
persons within the United States, and
protect every individual in full enjoy
mcnt of the rights of person and prop.
erty, and furnish him means oil their
vindication.
Dir. C0WAN said message has just
been received from the President, in re
sponse to resolution calling for infer
nation as to the condition of the Sales
lately in rebellion. He called for the
reading of the message. The message
Of the President was then read IS follows:
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate of the United States:
In reply to resolution adopted by the
Senate on the 18th, have the honor to
state that the rebellion waged by a por-
tiOn Of the people against the properly
constituted authorities of the Govern
ment ol the United States, has been sup.
pressed, 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 Offices re.estab
lished, and steps taken to put into effec-
tive operation the Revenue laws Of the
country. As the result of the measures
instituted by the executive with view
o! inducing a resumption of the func.
tions Of the States comprehendcd in the
inquiry Of the Senate, the people in
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkan.
sas and Tennessee have reorganized their
respective State governments, and are
yielding obedience to tie laws and the
government of the United States with
more willingness and greater promptitude
than under the circumstances could rea.
sonably have been anticipated. The pro.
posed 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 Mississippi, from
which no official information has been re-
cGived, and in nearly all of them meas.
ures have been adopted, or are now pend
ing, to confer upon the freedmen privil-
eyes which are essential TO their comfort,
protection and security.
In Florida and Texas the people are
making commeudable progress in restor-
ing their State Governments, and no
doubt is entertained that they will at an
early period be in q 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 circum.
stances could have been expected. The
people throughout the entite South
evince laudable desire to renew their
allegiance to the Government, and to re.
pair the devastations of war by prompt
and cheerful 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 Constitution and Laws Of the Uni
ted States their loyalty will be unreserv.
edly given to the Government whose le.
niency they cannot fail to appreciate,
and whose fostering care will soon re.
store them to condition Of prosperity.
1t is true that in some Of the States
demoralizing effects Of the war are to be
seen in occasioned disorder, but these are
local in character, not frequent In occur
renee, and are rapidly disappearing as
the authority Of the civil power is ex-