Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-01-02

President johnson, In response TO
q resolution OF the u. s. Senate, call.
ing for information as to the condi-
ton of the States lately in rebellion,
communicated to that body on the
10Th ult., the special message and
accompanying report Of Lieutenant
General Grant, which we annex be-
low The two documents, taken
separately or conformity, commend
themselves to the American people,
for the calm, truthful and impartial
manner in which they review the
situation of Southern affairs, and for
the wise and judicious suggestions
embraced in them. Doubtless, fac.
tious opposition in Congress win be
slow to profit from the salutary views
and reflections Of the President and
the Lieutenant General, but, we feel
well assured, that the masses of the
people will endorse and uphold them,
and that sooner or later the measures
recommended in them will be tri-
umpbantly yindicated and given free
scope in their operations for the gen.
eral good Of the people:
To the seaste Of the United States:
In reply 10 tho resolution adopted by
the Senate on the 1911 instant, have the
honor to state that The rebellion waged by
portion Of the people against the properly
constitutod authority Of the Government
Of the United stAtes has boon suppressed;
that tho United States are IN possession Of
every State in which the iusprrection ex-
listed, and that, az fur as 1t could bo done,
the courts OF the United States have been
restored, post Offices re-establiAhed, and
steps taken TO put into effective operation
the revenue lava Of tho country.
: As the result Of the measures instituted
by the Executive, with tho view Of in
the States comprehended In tho inquiry of
the Senate, tho people Of North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, MiaHIs-
sippi, Louisiana, Arknuaas md Tennessee
have reorRanized their respective State
Governments, and 'Rre yielding obedience
TO tho laws and Government Of ths uni
ted btnLes," with moro Willingness and
greater promptitude than under tho cir
cumstanceB could have been anticipated.
The proposed amendment Of the ConBtitd
ton, providing for the abolition Of slavery
forever within the limits Of the country,
has been rntifsd by each one Of those
Stntes, with tho exception of mississippi,
from which no official information has
been received, and In nearly all Of them
measures have been adopted or are now
pending, TO confer upon freedmen the
privileges which are essential TO their com
fort, protection and security. In Florida
and Texhs the people are making com
mendable progress in restoring their State
governments, aud no doubt is entertained
that they will at an early period be In a
condition to resume all Of their practical
relationn with the General Government.
In "that portion Of tho Union lately in
rebellion" the aspect Of nffaira Is more
promising than, in view Of all the circum
stances, could we'll have been expected.
The people throughout the entire South
cvince q laudable desire TO renew their
allegiance to the Government, and - re-
pair tho devastations Of war by ii prompt
and cheerful return TO psucsfal pursnita.
and abiding faith ia entertained that their
actions will conform to their Professions
and that IN acknowledging the supremacy
Of the Constitution and laws Of the United
States their loyalty will be hfireser0edly
gwen to the Government Whose leniency
they chunot fail TO appreciate, and whose
fostering care will room restore them TO Il
condition Of prosperity u IL true that in
rome Of tho States the demoralizing effects
Of the war arc To be seen in occasional dir
orders; but these are local in character
not frequent in occurrence, and are rapidly
dsappearlng as the authority Of civil law
in extended and sustained. Perplexhe
questions arc naturally TO be expected
frpm the great and sudden change IN the
relations between the two races but ays.
tens are gradually developing themselves
under which the freedman will receive tho
protection to which he is Justly entitled,
and, by means Of his labor, make himself
u useful and independent mem Dor Of tho
community in which he has home.
From all tho information IN my possess
deriy from the most reliable authority,
am induced TO cherish the belief that Sec
tional apimosity is surely and rapidly
merging itselfinto spirit Of nationality.
and that Misrepresentation, In connection with
aproperly adjusted system Of taxation, will
result In harmonious restoratigh of the
States Of tho National Union.
The report Of Carl schurz is herewith
transmitted, as requested by tho senhtoa
No reports from The Hon. John Covode
have been received by the Presidsnt. The
attention Of the Senate 10 invited TO tho
accompanying report from Lieut.. General
Grant, who recently made a tour Of inspec-
ton through several Of the States who're
inhabitants participated in the rebellioh.
AsDagw JoHHsoH.
Washington, Dec. Is, 1868.
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