The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-29
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE DEPT. Raleigh. May 25 1866.
Gentlemen of the Conrention-:
Since your adjournment last October nothing
has come to my knowledge touching our position
in refereQce to the Federal Government, which
is not matter of public history.
At your previous session you made the requi-
site amendments to the Constitution. and passed
the ordinances believed to be necessary to com
plete reconciliation with the United States and
our restoration to national fraternity. Although
our people, with remarkable unanimity, yielded
their assent to your action and were ready. with
out any exception within my knowledge, to ac-
knowledge their allegiance to the United States
and to obey the laws and Constitution thereof.
we have been grievously disappointed by the re-
lection of our members from the Congress of the
Nation. This rejection has not been placed on
the ground of any irregularity in their election
qualification. While Congress recognizes the
existence of the State Government TO the extent
of Incorporation into the Constitution of the I'm
tied States amendments. made thereto, they
continue to govern and tax without allowing
US any participation in making the laws i'm
posing the national taxes, The Congress has
been sitting some FIVE months without prescrib-
ing any terms on which it is proposed to recognise
admission. We have elected men whom we
believe to be as loyal as any in the United
States. every one Of whom labored to preserve
the Union till hostities had commenced. and
every one of whom has renewed, or is ready to
renew his oath of fidelity to the Government of
the United States. Whether any of them
could conscientiousy swear that he never aided
or sympathised with the rebellion. do not know.
If no member can DE received from the States
lately in rebellion without taking cf the Congress
siohal test oath, it will amount to practical dis
reimbursement.
1t was presumed when you adjourned in Octo
Der last. that by this time the Union would have
been fully restored. or that Congress would have
defined its policy of restoration. Neither event
has OCCURRED. Neither the President Con-
gress has made known any further requirements.
| have no information which warrants me in max
ing any suggestions to you as to any further &C
ton which you may properly take tending to pro-
duce the desired harmony. Let Us act as to
retain self-respect and to give to our late
enemies just grounds for continued ILL., will
against National prosperity cannot be re-
stored until real reconciliation aud concord shall
be re-estabshed. If bitterness is to be con-
tinued. let all of strive to cooperate with the
President in his patriotic plans and refrain from
giving any just for the continuance of such
feeling. and hope that the day is not distant.
when the northern people shall become satisfied
that their distrust of US is ill-founded. and that
the religion profess. as wef as public policy,
demand mutual forgiveness and reconciliation.
herewith enclose communication from the
public treasurer suggesting certain amendments
to the Revenue Act of the last general assembly.
| commend his recommendations to your favora-
BILE consideration. In consequence of the order
of the President OF the United States relieving the
Provisional Governor. l entered upon the DIS
charge of my duties civil Governor. in con-
formity with your ordinance, on the 29th day of
December. last. / had to encounter some irreg
uarities growing out of the transition. But with
the universal desire of the people to restore order
no serious difficulties havs presented themselves
in putting into action the machinery of civil Gov
eminent in the State.
In my official correspondence and intercourse
with the executive officers of the United States
and with Brevet Ma or General Ruger. the mill
tary commandant of this State. all have exhibited
a uniform disposition to avoid unnecessary jar
rings in the discharge of respective duties.
and readiness to cooperate with me. in every
thing tending to restore cordial reconciliation
between the lately billigerent sections of our
country.
learn from General Ruger. TO whom the Presi-
dent of the United States has lately assigned the
Chief supervision of the Freedmens Bureau in
this State, that he would gladly transfer to the
civil courts of the State full jurisdiction in all
matters relating to freedmen but that he feels
embarrassed in doing SO. consistently with his
instructions on of certain provisions ano,
conflicting constructions of the Act of the Cen
eral Assembly. passed at its late session entitled
ian act concerning negroes persons OF color or
of mixed blood" His difficulties are understood
to grow out of the 9th and Ith sections of the act
As it is very desirable that the civil courts shall
mete out uniform justice to all. white and black,
according to law, and that all cause of dissatls-