Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-12-22
Message of President Johnson.

In reply to a resolution adopted by the Senate, on
the 18th inst have the honor to state that the rebel
lion waged by portion of the people against the
properly constituted authorities of the government of
the United States, has been suppressed; that the
United States in the 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 post-oices establithed, and steps
taken put into effective operation the revenue laws
of the country. As the result of measures instituted
by the executive, with view of inducing resump-
tion of the functions of the states cOmprehended in
the inquiry of the Senate the people in North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
louisiana Arkansas and Tennessee have reorgonized
their respective state governments and are yielding
obedience to the laws and government of the United
States, with more willingness and greater prompu-
tude than under the circumstances could reasonably
have been anticipated The proposed amendment 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 the exception
Of Mississippi from which official information has
been received; and in nearly all of them measures
have been adopted, are now pending, to confer
upon the freedmen the privileges which are essential
to their comfort, protection and securitw In Florida
and Texas the people are making commendable pro-
gress in restoring their state governments, and no
doubt is entertained that they WILL at an early period
be in condition to all their practical relations
with the federal government.
aspect Of affairs is promising than, in view OF all
the circumstances, could have been expected. The
people throughout the entire South evince laudable
desire to their allegiance to the government,
and to repair the devastation Of by prompt and
cheerful return to peaceful pursuits. All abiding
faith is entertained that their actions will conform to
their professions, and that in acknowledging the SUI
prcmacy of the constitution and laws OF the United
States their loyalty will be unreseryedy given to the
government, whose lenency they cannot fail to APP
preciate and whose fostering care will soon restore
them to condition of prosperity. 1t is true that in
some Of the states the demorazing effects of war are
TO be in occasional disorders but these are local
in character and frequent in occurrence, and rapidly
disappearing the authority of civil power is extend
ed aud sustained Perpexing questions were natural
~ 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
freedmen will receive the protection TO which he is
Justly entitled and, by means Of his labor, make
himself useful and independent member Of the com
munity 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, | am induced to cherish the
belief that sectional luminosity is surely and rapidly
merging itself INTO spirit Of nationality, and that
representations connected with properly adjusted sys-
TEN of taxation, will result In the harmonious resto-
ration of the relations of the states to the national
Union. The report of Gen. Carl Schurz is herewith
submitted, ms requested by the Senate. No report
from Hon. John Coyode has been received by the
president The attention of the Senate is invited to
the accompanying report Of Lieut.. Gen. Grant who
recently made tour Of inspection through several oil
the states whose nhabante persisted in the rebellion
Az.