The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1866-01-04
Special Message from the Pres
tdenf.

TO the Senate Of the United States:
In reply toa resolution adopted by
the Senate on the 18th, i have the hon.
or to state that the rebellion, waged
by portion Of the people against the
properly constituted authorities Of the
Government of the United States, has
been suppressed; that the United
States are now in possession of every
State in which the insurrection exist
ed, and that as far as could be done,
the courts of the United States have
been restored, post offices re-establish-
ed, and steps taken to put into effective
operation the revenue laws of the
country.
AS the result of the measures insti-
tuted by the Executive with the view
of inducing resumption of the func-
tiOns of the States comprehendedi in the
inquiry of the Senate, the people in
North Carolina, s. Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Ar
kansas and Tennessee, have re-organ-
lied their respective State Govern
ments, and are yielding obedience to
the laws and Government of the Uni
ted States with more Willingness and
, greater promptitude than under the
circumstances could reasonably have
been anticipated. The proposed amend
ment to the Constitution providing for
the abolition of slavery, forever, with
in 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 nearly all of them
measures have been adopted, or are
now pending, to confer upon the freed
? men the privileges which are essential
, to their comfort, protection and securi-
ty. In Florida and Texas the people
are making commendable progress in
restoring their State Governments, and
no doubt is entertained that they will
at an early period be in a condition to
resume all their practical relations
with the Federal Government. In
: that portion of the Union lately in re-
bellion the aspect of affairs is more
promising than, in view of all the cir
cumstances, could well have been ex-
, pected. The people throughout the
: entire South evince laudable desire to
renew their allegiance to the Govern
ment and repair the devastations Of
war by prompt and cheerful return
to peaceful pursuits. An abiding faith
is entertained that their actions will
conform to their professions, and that
in acknowledging the supremacy Of
} the Constitution and the laws of the
United States their loyalty will be I'M
reservedly given to the Government,
whose leniency they cannot fail to APP
preciate, and whose fostering care will
soon restore them to condition of
prosperity. ----
\ 1t is true that in some of the States
the demoralizing effects of the war are
to be seen in occasional disorders, but
these are local in character and infre-
= quent in appearance, and are rapidly
3 disappearing as the authority of the
A civil power is extended and sustained
, Perplexing questions were naturally tc
! be expected from the great and sudden
} change in the relations between the
: two races; but systems are gradually
: developing themselves, under which
t the freedman will receive the protec
tion to which he is justly entitled, and
by means of his labor, make himself 6
: useful and independent member of the
i community in which he has his home
: From all the information in my pos
g session, and from that which / hav,
received from the most reliable autho
Z rity, am induced to cherish the be
e lief that personal animosity is surely
d and rapidly merging itself into spiri
n of nationality, and that representation
connected with properly adjusted
system of taxation, will result in {
d harmonious restoration of the relation:
/ of the States to the national Union.
@The report of Carl Shurz is herewith
transmitted as requested by the Senate
No report from the Hon. John Covod,
It has been received by the President
The attention of the Senate is invited
to the accompanying report of Lieu
: tenant General Grant, who recently
a made tour of inspection through sew
: eral of the States whose inhabitant
participated in the rebellion.
> [Signed1 ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, Dec. 18. Aa
u 80 N~------------