The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-08-01


f.cfed,by the rebellion. Upon, the cessas
tion Of active hostilIties Provisional Cover.
nurs we're appointed, Conventions called
and Governors elected by the people. leg
isIatures assembled, and Senators and Keep
sentatives chosen to the Congress OF the
United States. At the same time the courts
Of the United States were re-opened, the
blockade removed, the custom houses re-
established, and postal relations resumed. 81
The amendment TO the Constitution ADO
fishing slavery forever within the limits Of
the country was also submitted to the
States. and they we're. thus invited 10, and
did narlicipate in, its ratitication-thuse x-
ercising the highest functions pertainingto
4 State. 10 addition, nearly all of these
States, through their Conventions and
Legislatures. had adopted and ratified con-
s,itutions !" Of government, whereby slave
~ was abolished, and all ordinances and
laws of secession and debts contracted I'M
der the same were declared Void"
So far, then, the political existence OF
the States and their relations TO the Fede-
raj Government had been fully and COM.
pietely recognized aud acknowledged by
the Executive Department of the Govern
ment, and the completion OF the work Of
restoration, which had progressed so iavo-
rably, was submitted 70 Congress. upon
which deyolyed all questions pertaining toI
the admission to their seats oil the Senators
and Representatives chosen from The States
xhose people hsd been engaged IN the re-
bellion. aaI
All these steps had been taken. when. on
the 4th Of December, 1865, the Thirty
ninth Congress assembled. Nearly eight
months have elapsed since that time and
no other plan OF restoration having been
proposed by Congress for the measures IN
slituted by the Executive,it IS now declar-
ed in the Joint resolution Submitted for my
approval, "that the State Of Tennessee IS
hereby restored to her farmer proper prac-
teal relations 10 the Union, and is again
entitled 70 be represented by Senators and
Representatives, IN Congress" Thus, It
Ter the lapse of nearly eight months, Com
gress proposes TO pave the way TO the adj
mission and TO the representation OF one Of
the eleven States whose people arrayed
themselves in rebellion against the consti-
tuted authority Of the Fedenl Govern
ment.
Earnestly desiring TO remove every
cause Of further delay, whether cal or ina
giuary. on the part OF Congress. to the adj
mission 70 seats of loyal Senators and Rep.
resentatives from the State of Tennessee,
have, notwithstanding the anomalous cha
rae,er Of the proceedings, affixed my sigma
ture TO the resolution. Ny approval. how
ever, is not 70 be construed as an acknosl-
edgment of the right Of Congress TO pass
laws preliminary 10 the admission OF duly
qualified representatives from any OF the
States. Neither Is il 10 be considered as
committing me 10 all the statements made
in the preamble-some Of which are, IN my
opinion, without foundation IN fact, espe'
eialIy The assertion that the State OF Zen
nessee has ratified the amendment u the
Constitution Of the United St,tes proposed
by the Thirty ninth Congress. no official
notice Of such ratification has been rereiy.
ed by the Executive, or fled in the De.
partment OF State on the contrary, un0fil'
cal information from most reliable sources
induces the belief that the amendment ha'
not yet been consututionsily sanctioned b,
the Legislature Of Tennessee. The rlgh
of each House, under the Constitution. q
Judge Of the elections, returns. and qualif
cations OF its own members, IS andoubted
and my approval Or disapprosal Of the re
solution could not. in the slightest degree
increase or diminish the authority in thi
respect conferred upon the two branches o
Congress.
10 conclusion. cannotstoo earnestly re-
peat my recommendation Tor the sdmlssisI
OF Tennessee. and all other States, TO faI
and equal participation 10 national legisIa
lion. when they present themselves 10 th,
persons Of loyal Senators and Representa-
tires, who can comply with all the require
nents OF the Constitution and the laws