The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-12-26
SPECIAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESI-
DENT AND GEN. GRANTS REPORT.

SPECIAL MESSAGE OF THE PREsI-
DENT AND GEN. GRANTS REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Dec 19-The President to-
day, in reply to resolution of thu Senate of the
18th instant, communicated message to that
body, stating that the rebellion waged by por-
ton of the people against the properly constituted
authorities of the Government has been suppress
ed, and that the United States are in possession
of every State in which the Instruction existed
and that as far as could be done, the Courts OF
the United States have been restored, the post
offices re-estabshed, and steps taken to put INTO
efficient action the revenue tax Of the country.
He says that as the result of the measures in
stituted by Executive, with the view of inducing
an assumption of all the functions of the States,
the people of North and South Carolina, Alabama,
Mississippi Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee,
have organized their respective State Govern
meuts, and are quietly yielding obedience to the
laws and Government of the United States with
more willingness and greater promptitude than,
under the circumstances, could reasonably have
been expected.
The proposed Amendment to the Constitution
has been ratified by each one of the States men
toned except Mississippi, from which no official
information has been received.
The President says: "From all the information
in my possession, and from>that which | have re-
Gently received from the most reliable authority,
/ am induced to cherish the belief that sectional
luminosity is surely and rapidly merging itself in
to a spirit of nationality, and that representation,
connected with a properly adjusted system Of
taxation, will result in Harmonious restoration
of the relations of the States TO the National
Union"
Lieutenant-Gencral Grants report, which the
President transmits to the Senate, briefly reviews
his tour of inspection throughout the South, aud
states he is satisfied the mass Of thinking men in
the South accept the present situation of affairs
in good faith. He says he was pleased to find
that the leading whom he met not only &C
cepted the decision arrived at final, but that
now, that the smoke Of battle had cleared away,
and time has been given for reflection, the decision
has been fortunate one for the whole country.
He also says there is such universal acquescence
in the authority of the General Goverpment
throughout the section Of the country visited by
him, that the mere presence Of military force,
without regard to numbers, is sufficient to main
tain order. The good of the country and econO-
my require :Aat the force left in the interior,
where there arc many freedmen, should be white.
lie further remarks: :
My observations lead me to the conclusion
that the citizens of the Southern States are anx-
cious to return to selfgovernment within the
Union possible, and that whilst recon-
structing they want and require protection from
the Government.
The report is very interesting, and furnishes
many favorable facts in regard to the condition of
affairs in the Southern States, and shows through
out friendly feeling towards the South.
-> =
THE TEST OATH.
We learn that the House of Representatives,
on Monday last, decided by vote of 125 to 81
to maintain the present test oath as it is. This
is virtually saying that no member elect from
this State shall be admitted to a seat in the
House, for only one of them, Mr. Jones, can
take the oath, and it is not probable that he
alone will be admitted. Neither Of the Senators
elect from this State take the oath
This test oath will be insisted not only as
ito members of Congress, but as to ali other
officers Of the Governmeht-Collcctors of the
Revenue, Postnasters, &c. 1t would be great
accommodation to our people, and act Of
simple justice to the Union men of the insur-
gent States, if this oath could be so modified as
20 put it in the power Of that portion of the
Union men, who are really true, to take it. On
account of the technical character Of a part of
this oath, the number of thoee in this State who
can conscientiouslv take it is small, while there
are thousands who could cheertuIly subscribe it
if Invested of this objection. 1t is hard, for ex-
ample, that such true Union men as Robert
Dick, John Pool, William S Mason, Edwin G
Reade, Thomas Settle, and many who tight be
named, should be excluded from Office by this
feature in the oath. Besides, if this test is APP
piled to the Postoffccrs OF the insurgent States,
the people must suffer greatly for the want OF
mails, for the reason that large majority Of
those who would make suitable Postmasters and
who would apply for mail contracts, have been,
in one shape or another connected with the re-
bellion. If Congress is ixed in its purpose to
maintain the oath, as it certainly appeals to be,
we trust some modification will be made, so far
at least as the revenue and postal service are
concerned.-RaleiyA Standard
NORTHERN CREDITORS AND SOUTHERN
DEBToRs,-The New York Chamber of Com
merce undertook at its monthly meeting, on
Thursday, to inaugurate most important move
snent, the influence Of which on the business
and industrial interests of the South-if it is
pressed to practical conclason-can scarcely
be exaggerated. 1t seems they resolved to me.
moralize Congress forthwith to pass law ex-
empting suffers in the Federal courts in the
States recently in rebellion, from the operation
Of the State statutes of Limitation for period
long enough to give "leyal' creditors an oppor-
rtunity to enforce their claims. Certain mem
hers of the Chamber, who favor this proceeding,
take the ground that statutes of limitation to
suits on contracts are reconcilable with Justice
only the suppostion that the parties have
had opportunity to enforce their claims through
the usual courts of justice; and that as it as
impossible during the war for creditors IN col