The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-10
A special Message from the President

70 The Senate Of the United States In reply the
resolution adopted by the senate on the 18th nst
have the honor to state that the rebellion Waged by
portion of the people against the properly constituted
authority of the Of the United States has
been suppressed that the United States are in posses
sion Of every State in which the instruction existed
and that as far it could be DONE the courts of the
United States have been restored post offices reesab
shed and steps taken to put into effective operation
the revenue laws of the country.
As the result Of the measures instituted by the
ecuve with the view of inducing resumption of the
functions of the States comprehended in the inquiry of
the senate, the people of North Carolina South Caro-
lima, Georgia, Alabama Mississippi louisiana Arkan-
sas and Tennessee have recognised their respective
State governments, and are Welding obedience to the
laws and government of the United States . with more
willingness and greater prOmpttude than under the
circumstances could reasonably have been anticipated
The proposed amendment of the constitution providing
for the abolition Of slavery forever within the limits Of
the country, has been ratified by each one of these
States, with the exception Of Mississippi from which
no official information has been received and in near
y all of them have been adopted or are now
pending to confer upon freedmen the privileges which
are essential to their comfort protection and security.
In Florida and Texas the people are making commend
BILE progress IN restoring their State governments and
doubt is entertained that they will early period
be in condition to all of their practical rea
tons with the general government.
In that portion of the Union lately in rebellion"
the aspect OF affairs IS promising than in view of
all the circumstances, could well have been expected
The people throughout the entire south eYince auda-
bic desire to their allegiance to the government
and to repair the deyastations of war by prompt and
cheerful return to peaceful pursuits and abiding faith
is entertained that their actions viii conform to their
professions, and in acknowledging the supremacy of
the constitution and laws of the United States their
loyalty viii be unreseryedly given to the government
whose enency they cannot fail to appreciate and whose
fostering will restore them to condition of
prosperity It is true that in some Of the States the
demOralsing effects of the are to be seen in occa
sona disorders but these are local in character not
frequent in occurrence, and rapidly disappearing as
the authority of civil law IS extended and sustained
PerpleXing questions naturally be expected from
the great and sudden change in the relations between
the two races but systems gradually developing
themselves under which the freedman viii receive the
protection to which he is justly entitled and by
Of his labor, make himself useful and Independent
member in the community in which he has home.
From all the information in my possession and from
that which have recently derived from the most rea-
BILE authority, am induced to cherish the belief that
sectional luminosity is surely and rapidly merging itself
into spirit Of nationality, and that representation
connected with properly adjusted system Of taxation,
will result in harmonious restoration Of the relation
of the States to the national Union
The report of Carl Schurz herewith transmitted as
requested by the senate. No reports from the Hon.
John Covode have been received by the president The
attention of the senate is invited the accompanying
report from Lieut. Gen. Grant, who recently made
tour of inspection through several of the States whose
inhabitants participated in the rebellion.
ANDREW JOHNSON. /
Washington, Dec 49, 1865.