Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-06-28
A Message from the President on the
Reconstruction Question.

WASHINGTON, June 22.-The President
seht into Congress to-day the following
message IN relation to the reconstruction
amendment to the Constitution:
10 the Senate and House Of Represcnto-
tees
submit to Congress q report of the
Secretary of State, to whom was referred
the concurrent resolution of the 18th in
slant, respecting submission to the leg
islature of the States of an additional arti-
Gle to the Constitution of the United States.
It will be seen from this report that the
Secretary of State had, on the 10th Instant,
transmlttedto the Governors of the several
States certified copies Of the Joint resDlu-
ton 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 impor-
lance, at the present time, is enhanced by
the fact that the joint resolution was not
submitted by the two Houses for the up
proyal Of the President; and that Of the
thirty-six States which constitute th2.JT-
Mon, eleven are excluded arem rep y.
rYion IL either house of gongress!
| though with the single exception ST 81 :
as, they have been entirely restored to al
their functions as States in conformity with
the organized law of the land, and have
appeared at the National Capitol by Sena,
tors and Representatives, who have APP
piled for and have been refused admission
to the vacant seats; nor have the sovc-
reign people Of the nation been afforded
an opportunity Of expressing their views
upon the important question which the a.
mcntiment involves, grave doubts there
fore, naturally and justly arise as to whether
the action of Congress is i'll harmony with
the sentiments Of the people, and whether
State Legislatures elected without refer
ence to such an issue should be called upon
by Congress to decide respecting the rat
itcation oftAe proposed amendment. Waiv-
ing the question as to the Constitutional
validity Of the proceedings of Congress
upon the joint resolution proposing the
amendment, or as to the merits Of the ar
tlcle which it submits through the Execu-
tive department to the Legislatures of the
States, deem it proper to observe that
the steps taken by the Secretary of State,
as detailed in the accompanying report, are
to be considered as purely ministerial, and
in no sense whatever committing the Tx
ecutlve to an approval Or recommenda-
| ton Of the amendment to the State Lecis-
latures OF to the people On the contrary,
a proper appreciation Of the letter and
spirit of the Constitution, as we'll as of the
interests Of the national order, harmony
and union, and due Difference for an en-
lightened public judgment may at this
time suggest a doubt whether any amend
ment to the Constitution ought to be pro-
posed by Congress and pressed upon the
Legislatures Of the States for final decis-
ion. until after TIE admission. Of such >Zaz--
al Senators and Representatives Of the
now unrcpresonted Stats as have been or
may hereafter be chosen in conformity
with the Constitution and laws of the u
nited States.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Accompanying the message Of the Pres
ident is the report Of the Secretary ofState
announcing that he had, in conformity
with the proceeding which had been a
doptcd by him, in 1865, in regard to these
proposed and afterwards adopted Congress
sional amendments to the Constitution of
the United States concerning the prohibi-
ton of slavery, Transmitted certified copies
Of the joint resolution to the Governors Of
the several States, together with a cerGf-
cate and circular letter.