Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-12-23

Governor Pierpont's message is qui1o
lengthy, giving a fll account Of the on
dition Of ihe state. He concludes as fol-
REcoxsrnrcr1oN.

In eirhiecn hundred and sixty the
qovernment of the United States
renresented thirty millions Of peo-
ple. with more educated minds, aecus-
tomed 10 self-reliance and independence
Of thounht and action, than were ever
thrown together in one nation. Iheir
prosperity was the wonder and envy OF
the word. One-third Of the states, EN-
bracinr nearly one-half Of theterritory Of
the nation, combined TO overthrow the
Government, and appealed TO the sword
as the arbiter. Some eight hundred thou
sand Of the people perished IN the con-
1ict. This domestic violence was sup
pressed and now that the din Of war
mas ceased, yet TO some extent The pas
sions engendered by the strife continue,
and the reconstruction Of the Govern
ment of these States 80 as to place them
IN harmonious action with the other
States OF the Union, is q work OF great
magnitude. In this YOU have a work TO
consummate which VIII require great
wisdom ~andprUdence. Upon the disper-
sion Of the Confederate army that por-
ton of the people Of Virginia who haa
been engaged in resisting the authority
OF the United States, declared that uley
had ceased from all opposition 70 ute
Government, and cquiesoed IN the STATUS
in which the issue OF the var hao p4aSeo
tnem-that they had renewed their aAe
glance to the Government OF the Ohlled
States, and intended 70 keep tne4f oa.l
The Government, IN great A9uneSi
accepted the professions IN good hoth
and acted accordingly.
The acceptance OF ulis Nstatus
was an acceptance OF the state OF
aFsi~ which existed under the Gov
ernment OF the United States. The
Slaves Of the southern States
lad been liberated ty the proclamation
Of the President; a large national debt
had been created 70 defraS the expenses
incurred in the suppression Of the retsl-
lion: laws had been passed Cor Jheconils-
cation OF the real Snd personal estate o.
81 persons who bad resisted the Govern
ment. These laws being under the con-
/ 1rul OF the President he has suspended
their execution. The liberation Of the
slaves j. cordially acQuiesced in by the
people. / think there are only Two Ques-
ions noW remaining that present dtll-
I culdes ia the way of the fullest harmony
{ and frale-nZation between the sections
-0ne is the payment Of the nationas
Iebt, and the other a refusal by the PEG
PIE OF the States the whole or Q part Of
which was IN rebellion, 10 pay what Is
called the Confederate debG" OF debt
made 20 aid the rebellion. What
IS now known as the "reoel" Legisl9-
cure OF Virginia created q debt fog which
bonds were issued amounting 20 betwecn
i've and six millions Of dOliass. 4 mum
Der Of counties and corporations created
debts for q Ike purpose, for the Wulrt
payment Of which bonds were issued Il
a large amount. Toe prohibition OF the
..au.~H aF HNnaaa .NQhHE - lamaHnAHl
upon the grtund that they were created
for an unlawful purpose, in aid OF the r..
belion, 10 overthrow the Government
The Constitution of the State prohibits
the Legislature from making provision
for paying such bonds, and requires l
also to pass laws prohibiting each county
and corporation from paying any deo
contracted in aid Of the rebellion. IL
Virginia, therefore, the question OF tn
/, PAYMENT of these debts by the State, o.
bv counties or corporations Is settled.
Il is Of the utmost Importance that th'
peaple of Virginia shall give a Cheerful
, SUPPORT 10 the Federal Government il
! the PAYMENT of all taxes assessed for th,
having the national debt. l re
gard the reputation Of the ma
t, fional debt n equivalent to the over
throw Of the Government Of the Onlte'
States. The Government might exist Il
) form or in name after such an act, bu
could not exist in its vigor, honor AM
self-respect, and respect in the eyes o
! lie civilized world. such an act wcul,
demuralize the nation and paralize al
industrial pursuits. Confidence 6oth Il
the Government and in individual homo
will be destroyed, and the nation woul'
. become q prey 70 faction and to foreign
I Governments. Individual feeling ant
p-ejudiee should be discarded. Lacl
man should remember hat II Is bis dut!
TO act for the benefit Of his children auC
: for posterity; that a good Government
- one Of the greatest blessings be can him
= self enioy, or transmit TO posJerity.
have made every effort to restore 4
= each ma in the State all the rightsof
7 citizen. I have done this under a higt
= sense OF duty to my country. The PEG
L ME professed subOrdinatiOn 70 the laws
ndalleriance, in good faith, to the Gov
eminent, and I believe them TO be sin
: ca7e in their professions. I am satisfied
-, that no State can be governed under
republican form Of government wher'
: three-fourths OF the people embracing tn
largest tax PAYERS, are disfrauchised am
denied a voice in making or eXecutiu,
the laws Of the state. II have Gee'
mistaken in the honesty and goOI
faith Of these professions, the fault !
with them and not with me. Protection
and LOYALTY are reciprocal obligation,
The man who acts in bad faith 10 th
government under which helivas j. no
Il entitled TO its protection, or 70 Dartc.
pate in the management OF its affairs
Il but 50 long a. lac i faithful the govern
y ment IS bound 20 exert al its power
viudicate his rights.
In this spirit I recommended TO tn
- last Legislature, at the extra session J
9 June lass, TO remove the restrictions im
$ posed by the Constitution upon v0tin
5 and eligibility to Office; TO partO OF Whlc.
recommendation the Legislature con
: sented. and submitted the residue to
i vote Of tins people . Soy whether yo
. should lie clothed With conventions
powers 10 remove the restriction
5 tuon holding Office. In this spirit th
e loyal people Of the State voted to Re
move the restrictions, and I hone that j.
a like spirit you viii reH0ys ms OusJa
. cles in the way of taking their seats g..
those who have been electedto the Gene
raj Assembly by the people with the rea
sonable expectation that the restriction
wouiG b. rsI-OTeI,
Your action at the present session vii
rave HAtl lDAD VIII llt AAtAlC Vi VT
giuia. II it should be marked 10y broad
liberal, enlightened patriotism, lo0kini
to the building up Of the great interests O
! our beloved Commonwealth, B~Iltivatinl
feelings Of kindness and fraternity, Vol
a, will achieve a great work. If, however
your deliberations shall be disturbed b.
factions and party animosities, and you
D policy narrow aHd il!iaeral you vii
throw q gloom over the future Of tht
State that viii not disappear for q gen
Grafton.
/ ask your f~orbearance for the length
Of this communication. | assure 10;
there IS much vet TO be said. ! f~eryently
implore the blessings of Divine Pr0vi
denne on your deliberations, hoping TIA.
kindness and wisdom may distinguish al
your actions.
Respectfully, p. FfERF0NE.