The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

To the senate OF the | nIted States:
Ia reply 10 the resolutions adopted by the
seuuse on The 2lst inst, have the honor to
state that the rebellion waged by portion
OF the people against the properly constituted
authority Of the gOvernmenJ of the United
States are ia possession OF every state IN
which the instruction existed, and that, as
far could be done, the courts of the United
States have been restored. the post offices re.
es.a biished, and steps taken to put into efec-
tive operation the revenue laws of the couu-
try. As the result OF the measures institu-
ted by the executive with the view of Undue
ing a resumption OF the functions OF the
states cJmprehended liz the inquiry If the
senate, the people IN North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi
Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee have re.
organized their resp, Give state governments
and are yielding obedience to the laws aud
government OF the United States with mors
willingness and greater promptitude than
under the circumstances could reasonably
have been anticipated The proposed amend
ment TO the constitution providing for the
abolition OF slavery forever within the limits
of the country has been ratified by each one
of these states, with exception of Mississippi
from which official information ha9 been
received and IN nearly all of them measures
nave oeen adopted or are now pending to
confer upon the freedmen the privileges
which are essential TO their comtort-protec-
ton and security. la Florida and Texas the
people are making commendable progress in
restoring their state. governments, and no
doubt is entertained that they will, at an ear
ly period, be In II condition to assume all
their practical relations with the. federal gov
ernment. In that portion of the Union lately
In rebellion, tho aspect of affairs is more
promising than, in view of oil the circum-
stances. could well have been expected. The
people throughout the entire south evince Il
laudable desire to renew their allegiance to
the government, and TO repair the devasta-
lions OF war by IL 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 the
laws of the United States, their loyalty will
be unreservediy given to the government
whose leniency they cannot fail to appreciate
and whose fostering care will soon restore
them to condition OF prosperity. 1t ID true
that In some of the states the demoralizing
effects of the war are to be seen in occasional
disorders but these are local in character.
not frequent in occurrence, and are rapidly
disappearing as the authority of the civil
power is extended and sustained Perplex-
ing questions were naturally to be expected
from the great and sudden change in the re-
lations between two races, but systems are
gradually developing themselves under
which the freedmen will receive the protec-
to which he is justly entitled, and by means
OF his labor make himself a useful and inde- /
pendent member of the community in which
he has his home. From all the information In
my possession, and from that which / have