The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-04
m E s s a Q E
st OF THE a.~
e#a trU nss15-Tl tsFff
President Of the United
States.


0Ght00s
eH rNM -
rnaow onxu~ or rnE SENATE AND HOUSE, o, RrrHr-
After brief interval the Congress OF the United States
resumes It's annual legislative labors An a-wse and
nercful Providence has abated the pestilcnce which
visited shores, leaving It's calamiteus upon
some portions OF our country. Peace order tranquil
hty and civl authority have been formally
declared 70 cxist throughout tho whole OF the
United States In all OF the States civil authority
has superseded the coercion Of arms and the
people, BY their voluntary action maintaining their
governments In full activity and complete operat lon
REsroRArIon on PEACE AND GOOD vEEEa
Tho snforcemsns OF the laws is no longer
Constructed In any State by combinations too
powerful TO be suppressed oy the ordinary
course OF judicial proceedings;" and the aninos
siss engendersd by tho rapidly yielding 70 the
bsnsncent influences free instutons and 70 the
kindly effects Of unrestricted social and commercial IN
ssrcousss An entire restoration Of fraterna feeling
must 30 the earnest wish OF every patriotic heart; and
us Will have accomplished our grandest national
achievement when forgetting the sd events Of the past
and remembering only their instructive lessons
same our onward free, prosperous and united
people.
In my message Of the lth OF December 1895 Congress
was informed Of the which had been instituted
BY the Executive with 70 the gradual restoration
the States In which the insuecton occurred TO their
relations with che general government Provisional
Governors had boon appointed Conventions caod Gov
srnors elected Legislatures assembled, and Senators
And Representatives chosen 70 the Congress OF tho United
States Courts had been opened for enforcement OF
laws long in allegiance The blockade had been removed
custom houses reestabished and the internal
laws put in force In order that the people might
butte 70 the national Postal operations had been
renewed and efforts being made restore them to
their former condition OF efficiency. Tho States Thorn
Ssves had been asked TO take part 10 the high function
OF amending the constitution, and OF thus sAnctonng
che extinction OF African slavery one OF the icst.
mate results OF our interneclne struggle.
HE ADMRaoS on REPRESENTATIVES SOUTH.
Havug progressed thus far the Executive Department
found that II had accomplished nearly all that WAS
within the scope Of Its constitutional authority One
thing however, yet be done before the work
Of restoration could be- completed and that the amis
sion Congress OF loyal Senators and Representatives
from the States whose people had rebeed against the
lawful authority Of the general government THIS quss-
ton devoved upon the respective Houses which, By the
constitution made the judges OF the elections
turns and qualifications OF their members, and iis
csAsderaon at engaged the attention OF Congress
In the meantime the Executive Department-no other
plan having been proposed by Congess-continued its
efforts perfect, far practicable, the
sion OF the proper relations between the citizens the
respective States the STATES aud tue federal government
extending from tms " time, as the public interests
seemed 70 require the judicial and postal ss
ssxs OF the country With the advice and sentof
sbs Ssnsts the necessary ocsn appointed, and
sppsoppsstoas made by Congress for the payment Of
shsh salaries. Tho proposition 20 amend the federal
esnss,suson, a. - pssvsns IL existence Of
slavery within the United states any place
subject TO their jurisdiction, was ratified By
shs requints number Of States and the
18th day OF December 1896, officially declared to
have become valid As part Of tho constitution OF the
United states. All the States In which
non had existed promptly amended their constitutions
% - TO make them conform the great change thus
soectsd in tne organic Law or the land declared null and
void all ordinances and laws Of secession rpuda,ed all
pretended debts and obligations created for the revou
toaary purpos Of the instruction; and proceeded "a
good faith 10 the enactment Of for the pro-
secsion aud ameloraon OF the condition Of the co!ored
Congress, however. yet bestatsd 10 admit any
Of these stAtes representation; and II vas NOT
until towards the close OF the eighth month Of tho
sIon exception made In favor Of Tennessee
~ the admission OF her Senators and Representatives
rEE CONGRESSIONAL OPPOSITION.
deem IL q subject OF profound regret that Congress
has far failed 70 admit TO seats loyal Senator'S
Representatives from the other States whose ia.
Asbitants with those Of Tennessee, had engaged IN
shs rebellion Ten states-more than onerourth Of the
whole number-rsmain without representation
e my members in the House Of Represen tatives and ri
swsaty members in the Senate yet vacsnt-not by
their consent by failure Of election, hui by
The refusal OF Congress accept their credentials Their
admission II Is believed would have accomplished much
towards the renewal aud strengthening OF our relations
people, and removed serious for discomfort
On the part Of tho Inhabitants Of those States
II would have accorded with the great psn
cipls enunciaed In the Declaration OF American hide
Dsndence that people ought bear the burden q
saxaien and yet be denied the right Of representation
would have boon IN consonance With the express pro
vsdoas Of the constitution thai .'eacn sas shah have
e ssst Representative and that mo state without
~ consent shall bs deprived Of equal suffrage ia
eunssa' these provisions wefs intended 70
every State and ,be people q sssfe the right
q representation each HOUSE Of Congress- and
possaas ~aa u deemed by trainers Of the coastitu
aes thss the equality The tho senate should
be preserved. that not by an amendmeatof the
sessttuon can any State. without It's consent be de
voice In that branch Of the national Legislature
rsnRronIAI CONDITION STATES nuupIarHp.
10 true u assumed that the existence OIL
States terminated by the rebellious acts OF tbsf
inhaDitAnts and that the nsurrection having he q
suppressed they thenceforwsrd 70 be considered
ssrely conquered territories. The Legislative, Pr
Judicial Departments of the government nave
however With great ds,ncness and uniform CONSISTENCY
refused TO sanction assumption incompatible wuh
ans nature Of republican system. and with The pro
fessed objects Of the Throughout the recent legs
laton Of Congress The undeniable makes ii.eh
parent tha, these political communities nothing
Ices than states q this uncn ~ he very cctnmenes
nent Of the rebellion, e.ch house declared -nh .
~nap,mity a. remarkable u significant THAI
ths war was nos ~aged, upon our part 10
any spirit Of oppression Cor parpo-e q conquest
or subegston purpose or overthrowlng nterfer
ing with ths rights established nssitu,oos of tho-s
States but defend and maintain tss supreme, Of tho
constitution and all laws made 10 pursuance thereof and