The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
LATEST POLITICAL NEWS

plan Of early reconstruction through.
The Presidents Message, enclosing the re-
ports Of General Grant, General Howard, &c,
on the condition Of the South, has been read
in the Senate.
The President says: From all the infor-
nation 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 a spirit OF nationality, and
that representation, connected with properly
adjusted system of taxation will result in
harmonious restoration Of the relations Of the
States to the National Union
Mr.. Sumner dsapproved OF the report,
characterizing it as "a white-washed report,
which reminded him Of the Kansas message
Of Franklin Pierce i'll 1856
Lieutenant General Grants report which
the President transmits with his message to
the Senate. briefly reviews his tour OF lnspec-
ton through the Southern States. He says
that there is such universal acquiescence in
the authority of the General Government
throughout the portions Of the country visited
by him, that the mere presence Of a military
force, without regard to numbers, is sufficient
to maintain order, and that the good Of the
country and economy require that the force
left in the interior, where there are many freed
men, should be lrhite. He further remarks:
My observations lead me to the conclusion
that the citizens Of the Southern States are
anxious to return to selt-government within
the Union, as soon as possible, and that whilst
reconstruction is going on, they want and re-
quire protection from the government.
The report is very interesting, and furnishes
many favorable facts with regard to the condi-
ton Of affairs in the Southern States, and
shows throughout a friendly feeling towards
the South
The proclamation announcing the adoption
of the Constitutional Amendment, in which
the President recognizes all the Southern
States, and Withdrawing the Military Governor
from Alabama, is the principal theme in both
houses Of Congress to-day. 1t Is in direct an
tagonism with the views of Congress.
Mr.. Raymond, of New York, is expected to
speak this afternoon in favor Of immediate adj
mission of the rebel States -Four Of the New
York Republicans stand with him.
WasLiaqtoa, December lS-Thc rumor is
current that the President during the recess,
will issue proclamation declaring the rebel
lion at an end, and placing all the States in the
same position rs they were previous to the
war. He has sufficiently tested Congress, and
will enact some coup d ejat to head of radical
ism.
1t is said that the French Minister has be-
come quite alarmed respecting the answer Be
cretary Seward sent to the Emperor 5 letter
asking for the recognition of MaXimilian gov
ernment of Mexico, and as much so with refer
ence to the resolutions lately introduced into
Congress on the subject Of the Monroe Doe
trine. 1t is understood the Secretary has left
No, W ,,bera no will raO,ain until ha
hears from the Emperor.
THE Secretary of State has addressed let
ter to Provisional Governor Parsons, OF Ala
bama, saying that, in the Judgment of the
President, the hour has arrived when the care
and conduct Of the proper affairs OF the State
of Alabama may be RENTED to the constitu-
tional authorities chosen ythe people thereof
and by direction Of the President relieving
him of the trust which had been reposed In
him.
The Speech Of Thadleus Steyeas in the
House was the same, IN substance, the speech
he delivered in Lancaster last Summer. lie
claimed the Southern States to be outlying
conquered provinces, entitled to no rights what
ever as States He advocated Il territorial
government for them. He favored negro sut-
trage and the parceliug out OF the estates OF the
whites among the negroes.
There has been a general and profound in
dignation expressed in regard to this speech,
and Stevens has by it destroyed, in d great
measure, his power in the House.
Legislature Of Virginia---Senate.
TIE STATUS OF THE NEGRO.
Mr. Lee moved to take up Senate bill re-
pealing all acts relating to negroes, and legal
II. -,,t, taI
the following resolution:
Resolced That the bill to repeal all acts and
parts of acts heretofore passed, and now in ex-
istence in relation TO the status of slaves and
free negroes, and to legaliZe the testimony of
freedmen be recOmmitted to the Committee on
Courts of Justice, with instructions to revise
and consider every law now in force in relation
TO slavery slaves and free negroes, so rs to pro-
vide for the fullest and most exact justice and
the complete protection Of person andproperty
TO the men of color in all respects. and TO re-
port bv bill or otherwise on the 18th Of Janu-
arv next for the action Of the Senate
Mr. Cabell offered resolution as a suhsti-
tutc for a portion of the resolution Of Mr. Lee,
and asked that it be referred to the same COM
mittee. The resolution OF Mr.. Cabell provides
! for legalzing the testimony Of negroes III cases
in which negroes are parties, while making
ample protection for his personand property.
ArriraI of General Lees FdmdH-General
Lees family arrived in Lexington on Saturday
morning last by packet and took possession OF
the presidential residence on College hill. They
have been detained heretofore in Cumberland
county, awaiting repairs Of their future resi-
dence.
II will be gratifying to the numerous friends
Of the General and his family, to know that
many of their wants had been anticipated and
provided for. For some days before their arri-
val. several of the ladies OF the town had been
diligently engaged in having the house thor
oughly cleaned up, carpets put down, furniture
adjusted, &c.
Mrs. Lees private apartments were com
nIetelv and handsomely furnished through the
considerate and liberal kindness OF Il wealthy
lady of Cumberland county. And, TO her praise
he it spoken, she had all the furniture manu-
featured in our own tOwn-thus setting an OK
ample worthy of imitation. Gd.
A lot of handsome furniture, twenty-one
pieces in all, arrived in this city three days
ago, for Mrs. General r. T.. Lee This is a
Gift to that distinguished Virginia lady, from
| the fair daughters of Baltimore, and is to be
considered as an evidence of their high appre-
citation of the character Of her distinguished
! husband. The Powhatan Steamship Line ac-
| cepted the honor of conveying this elegant
present to this city free of charge. -EnQuirer.
/ Paris letter mentions as an instance of the
folly and extravaganza prevailing in that city,
that baptsmal dress for an infant has been
prepared, of exquisite embroidery and lace, at
an expense Of eighteen thousand dollars
Georqia.-Mr jenkins was inaugurated
Governor of Georgia ON the l4th, and the seals
of the State were handed over to him by Pro
yiSional Governor johnson.