Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-05

discussed. nom the report OF TIE lfelsulclt
be that SgS OS3 70 in the Treasury on the
inst day Of October last. / here take pleasure IN
testfyng 70 the efficient aid rendered me by al the
heads Of departments in the state Government IN
the performance Of the various duties required ~
them since the return OF the seat OF Governments 20
this city. They have been uniformly courteous 70
all, and have think performed their respective du-
ties ably and with grea; fidelity 10 tie state. u IA
been Of great pleasure 70 me- TO receive as
surances from every quarter that tleiT laOos HA'e
been so highly appreciated by the puOhc'
coDIEcATION.
Under an act Of the General Assembly Of last
winter, the present Secretary OF the Commonwealth
by my direction, has prepared a digest OF al the
amendments OF the Code OF virginia maue NnVe
1861, AID report OF the chapters ana sections "ete
Amendments are STILL rendered necessary by the
changes in the State Constitution, anu by recent
acts OF Congress This digest aud report have been
carefully. AMI / think skiliuly prepared, and are
herewith submitted The publication OF THIS digest,
together ~ .prh further amendments Of the Code
as may be made by the present General Assembly,
would save 10 the State the expense Of new edition
Of the Code
The militia Of the State IN an unorganized con-
dition. We have no arms, that ! know OF, belong
ing 10 the state No appropriations we've made for
Organizing tie militia, and did not desire 10 incur
the expense VI such an organization without the
means of defpying L. Some uneasineSs and inse-
curity has beel let different counties and az the
requests OF county courts and Others, commissioned
Adjutan.s and authorized the raising of volunteer
companies OF from sixty 70 one hundred men iOr
home protection. As far as ] have heard in every
instance these officers have failed 20 raise a com
.pany You are fresh from the various sections Of
The state and understand the wants OF the people on
this subject and commend il to your cousidera-
ton.
REGISTERED BONDS.
There are about twenty millions OF registered state
bonds A number OF the holders OF these bonds
have expressed great anxiety to have these bonds
cancelled, aul coupon bonds Of equal value, OF
principal and interest, issued IN their stead. nave
not been able 20 give sufficient attention 20 this sub
lect 70 come 20 a satisfactory conclusion as % is
proprety. 1t will doubtless be brought TO your at
tention BY the bond-holders ask your careful con-
siderstOn Of the subject.
AMENDMENTS TO TIE CONSTITUTION.
By an act of the General Assembly passed on the
2lst Of June last in extra session the Governor was
authorized 10 submit 70 the qualified voters OF the
State, at the October election, the question. 'Shall
the next General Assembly be clothed with power %
alter or amend the Third article Of the Constitution,
and directing that the Governor should give thirty
days notice Of the submission, &c. submitted tins
question according TO law 10 the qualified voters az
that election. Complete returns Of the vote cast on
this question have not been made. Enough has been
received however b authorize Inc 10 say that large
majority OF the votes cast in favor Of granting
conventional powers 20 the Legislature 10 amend
the said article. The subject OF the amendment Is.
therefore, before you for consideration.
RECONSTRUCTION
In 1850, the Government OF the United States rep
resented thirty millions o. people, with more educa-
ted minds accustomed o. sefreliance, and indepen-
dence OF thought and action, than ever thrown
together in one nation; their prosperity was the
wonder and envy Of the world. One-third of the
States embracing nearly One-half OF the territory OF
the nation, combined 70 overthrow the Government,
and appealed TO the sword as the arbter Some eight
hundred thousand OF the people persisted in the
hict This domestic Violence was Suppressed"
and that q din Of war has ceased, yet %
extent the passions engendered by the strife con-
tinuue and the reconstruction OF the Government
of these States, as % place them in harmonious
action with the other states OF tie Union, Is a work
of great magnitude. In this YOU have a work TO
cOnsuhmGte which will require great wisdom and
prudence. Upon the dispersion Of the Confederate
army that portion Of the people Of Virginia who had
been engaged in resisting the authority Of the Uni
ted States, declared that they had ceased from all
opposition to the Government and acquesced in the
status in which the issue OF the had placed them
that they had renewed their allegiance 10 the Co
vernment OF the United States, and intended 10
keep their oath. The Government in great kind
ness accepted the professions IN good faith and act
ed accordingly.
The acceptance Of this "status" was an accep-
tance OF the state OF affairs which existed under the
Government OK the United States. The slaves Of
the southern States had been liberated by the pro-
clamatiOn OF the President large national debt
had been created % deiray the expense incurred in
the suppression of the rebellion; laws had been
passed for the cOniScatOn Of the real and personal
estate OF All persons VINO uIQ resisted the hONcru-
ment. These laws being under the control Of the
President, he has suspended their execution. The
liberation OF the slaves j. cordially acquicSced in by
the people think there are only two questions now
remaining that present difficulties in the way Of the
fullest harmony aud determination between the sec
tiOns-oue is the payment of the national debt and
the other refusal by the people Of each state, the
whole or a part Of which was in rebellion. TO pay
what j. called If the Confederate debt" or debts
made % aid the rebellion. What is now known as
ari-1 lain
for which bonds were issued amounting 70 between
i've aud SIN millions Of dollars \ number Of cOun-
ties and corporations created debts for like pur-
pose, for the future payment of which bonds were
issued 20 large amount. The prohibition Of the
payment OF these debts demanded upon the ground
that they were created for an unlawful purpose, in
aid of rebellion, o. overthrow the Government The
COnstitut on Of the State prohibits the Legislature
from making provision for paving such bonds, and
requires II also % pass laws prohibiting each county
and corporation from paying any debt contracted IN
aid of the rebellion. In Virginia, Therefore, the
question Of the payment Of these debts by the state,
Or by counties or corporations, is settled
IL IS OF the utmost Importance that the people Of
Virginia shall give cheerful support 10 the Federal
Government IN the payment OF all taxes assessed for
paying the national debt. ] regard the reputation
OF the national debt equivalent 20 the overthrow
Of the Government Of the United States. The Gov
eminent might exist in form or in name after such
an act but 10 could not exist in its vgOr, honor and
self respect and respect in tue eyes Of the civilized
world. Such an act would demoraliZe the nation
and plralVse all industrial pursuits. Confidence
both in the Government and in individual honor will
be destroyed and the nation you'd become prey
10 faction and 20 foreign governments Individual
feeling and prejudice should be discarded. Each
man should rememc mber that is his duty 20 act for
the beueht of his children and for posterty-that
good government is of the greatest blessings he
can himself enjoy, or transmit 10 poSteriy.
have made every eNertiou 10 restore 20 each man
in the State all the rights of n citizen have done
80 lar fr1r- NJ -
people pco.eS>ed subCrlnatOu 10 the laws, and al
ieriauce in good faith, 10 the Government, and
believed them TO Ice sincere IN their professions
am satisfied that no State can be governed under
Republican form of government where three-fOurths
of the people. embracing the largest taxpayers are
disfranchised and denied a voice in making or exc
cutting the laws os the state. II 7 have been mis-
taken 90 tie honesty aud good faith Of these pro-
fes,ious the fault Is with them and not with me
Protection aud loyalty are reciprocal obligations.
The man who acts IN bad faith 10 the Government
under which be lives is not entitled 70 It's protection,
or 70 participate in the management Of its affairs;
but a. long Is he Is faithful the Government is
bound 70 exert all It's power 90 vndiCate his rights.
In this spirit ] recommended % the last Legislature
nj its extra session in June last % remove the re-
strctiOas imposed by the Constitution upon voting
and elig bhty TO office 90 asp8r. Of which recon-
datOn the Legislature consented aud submitted the
residue 20 q vote Uithe people, 20 say whether you
should be clothed VITA conventional powers 10 re
move the restrictions upon holding Office. la this
the restrictions, and hope that in q like spirit You
will remove the o' stIce in the way Of taking their
seats by those who have been elected % the General
Assembly By the people, with the reasonable eNpec-
tation that the restrictions would be removed.
Your acton az the present session will have much
10 DO with the future of Virginia. Ii IL shall he
marked by broad, liberal and enlightened patriot
ism looking Z, the building up OF the great interests
of our beloved Commonwealth, cultvat;ng feelings
of kindness aud fraternity. YOU will achieve great
work. IT, however your deliberations shall be dis
turbeI' by factions and party anmOs.tes, and your
policy narrow AMI ii,ibara, You viii throw a gloom
over the future Of the state that will not disappear
for a generation.
ask your COrbelrlncc foy the length of this COM
municatiou. ] assure you there Is much Vet 70 be
said ! ievenriy impilre the blessings OF Divine
Providence on your deliberations, hoping that kind
ness and wisdom may distinguish all your action
Respectfully, +. II. PElRPOINT
WRIGIT' CARTER \ co.
EENEp II SlT-TUrpN I 4ND ACENrN