Maryland free press., 1866-06-28
4 Message from thc prcsidcnt


On Friday last the Speaker laid before
the House theft following message from the
President, which was read and referred to
the committee on Reconstruction: 5"-A' a'
10 Ae Senate and House of Representa-
tics: -.' .'-' +S-f - N'''f y
L lsubmit to Congress report of the Sec
retary of State, to whom was referred the
concurrent resolution of the 18th instant,
respecting a submission to the legislatures
iofthe States ofnn additional article 10. the
constitution of the United States. ~, 70
1t will be seen from this report, that the
Secretary Of State had, ON the 10th instant.
transmitted to the Governors of the several
States certified copies ofthe joint resolution,
passed on the 18th instant, proposing an
amendment to the constitution. - '''
Even in ordinary times, any question of
amending the constitution must be justly
regarded as of paramount Importance. -
This Importance is, at the present time,
enhanced by the fact that the joint resolu-
ton was not submitted by the two Houses
for the approval of the President, and that
of the thirty-six States, which constitute
the Union, eleven are excluded from rep
.resentation in either House of Congress,
although with the single exception Of
Texas, they have been entirely restored to
all their functions as States, in conformity
with the organic law of the land, and have
appeared. at the national capital by Sena-
tors and Representatives, who have ap-
piled for, and have been refused admission
to the vacant seats. ., .... % -.,,p.. t.i.
Nor have the sovereign people Of the
nation been afforded an opportunity of ex-
pressing their views upon this important
question which the amendment involves
Grave doubts therefore may naturally and
justly arise as to whether the action of Con-
gress is in harmony with the people, and
whether State Legislatures. elected without
reference to such an issue, should be called
upon by Congress to decide respecting the
ratification of the proposed amendment,
Waving the question as to the constitu-
tional validity Of the proceedings of Con-
gress upon the joint resolution proposing
the amendment, or as to the merits of the
article which it submits through the execu-
tive department to the Legislatures of the
States, l deem it proper to observe that
the steps taken By the Secretary of State,
as detailed by the accompanying report, are
to be considered as purely ministerial, and
in no sense whatever committing the Execu-
tive to an approval or recommendation
of the amendment to the State legislatures
or to the peoples On the contrary, n
proper appreciation of the letter and spirit
of the constitution, as we'll las of the in
tercsts of national order, harmony and
union, and due Difference for an enlight-.
ened public judgement, may, at this time,
well suggest doubt whether any amend
ment to the constitution ought to be pro-
posed by Congress and pressed upon the
legislatures of the several States for final
decision until after the admission of such
loyal Senators and Representatives of the
now unrepresented States as have been or
may hereafter be chosen, in conformity
with the constitution and laws of the United
States. ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, D. c., June %, 1866.