The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-12-12
PRESIDENTS TEssAGE.


Attyr a eriet interval, the congress of the Unted
States resumes its annual legislative lahors An all
wise and merciful Providence has abated the pest
euce which visited our shores, leaving its caamitous
races upon some portions Of our country Pence or
icr tranquility and civil authority have been formally
declared to exist throughout the whole of the United
States In all of the States civil authority has super
eeded the coercion OF arms and the people by their
solUnary action are maintaining their governments
in full activity and complete operation. The enforce
men of the laws is no longer obstruced in State
by combinations too powerful be suppressed by the
ordinary of judicial proceedings and the ami
mosities engendered by the are rapidly Welding
to the benefcent influences of our free institutions
and to the kindly effects of unrestricted social and
commercial intercourse An entire restoration of fra
ernal feeling must be the earnest wish of every pat
rioc heart and viii have accomplished our grand
est national achievement, when, forgetting the sad
events Of the past aud remembering only their in
structive lessons, we resume our Onward career
free prosperous and united people.
In my message of the 4th of December 1865 con.
gress was informed Of the measures which had been
instituted by the executive with view to the gradual
restoration of the States in which the instruction oc-
Cured to their relations with the general govern
ment Provisional governors had been appointed,
conventions called, governors elected legislatures
Isembed and senators and representatives chosen to
H the congress Of the United States Courts had been
opened for the enforcement of the laws long held in
Allowance; the blockade had been removed custom
houses reesablished, and the internal revenue Jaws
put in force in order that the people might contribute
to the national income; postal operations had been
renewed and efforts being made to restore them
to their former condition of efficiency. The States
themselves had been asked to take part in the high
functions of attending the convention, and of thus
sauctoning the extinction of African slavery of
the legitimate results of our nternecine struggle have
progressed. Thus far the executive department found
that it had accomplished nearly all that within the
scope of its Constitutional authority. One thing, how
ever vet remained be done before the work of re-
storaton could be completed and that was the admis
sion to congress of loyal and representatives
from the States whose people had rebelled against the
lawful authority Of the general government. This
question devolved upon the respective houses which,
hy the constitution made the judges OF the elec
ton returns and qualification of their own members,
and its consideration at once engaged the attention OF
congress In the meantime the executive department,
other plan having been proposed by co greSS, con
Dued its efforts to perfect far as practicable, the
restoration OF the proper relations between the citizens
OF the respective States and the federal government;
extending from time to time, the public interests
seemed TO require, the judicial revenue and postal
systems Of the country, with the advice and consent
Of the senate if the necessary officers appointed
and appropriations made by congress for TIE payment
of their salaries. The proposition TO amend the ted
eral constitution to prevent the existence Of sIa
very within the United States in any place subject
to their jurisdictions was ratified by the requisite
Der Of States, and the 18th day December 1865,
il was officially declared to have become valid part
of the constitution of the United States. All OF the
fola1ss u" "HCh 'He eG1ioH """ eA'9'J ' 0'l
a'eHueu '"eI 81 ts % nm lo
io'' 10 '''S sea- ''i5 ''IS ~ ~ '"1 So
and law Of secession, repudatcd all pretended debts
and obligations created tor the revolutionary purposes
Of the nsurrection, and proceeded IN good faith to
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