The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-06-23
Message from the Presi'
dent.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENTS TRANSMITTED re
GOVERNORS OF
STATES.
The Amendment not Approved by tn,
President.

WASHINGTON, June 2l.-The president to-
day sent the following message
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
submit to congress report of the secre.
tary OF state, to whom was referred the con-
current resolution of the 18th inst, respect
ing submission to the legislatures of states
of an additional article to the constitution of
the United States. 1t will be seen from this
report that the secretary of state had, on the
10th inst, transmitted to the governors of the
several states certified copies of the Joint res.
olution passed on the 18th, proposing an
amendment to the constitution.
Even in ordinary times, question of
amending the constitution must be justly re
garded as of paramount importance. This
importance is at the present time enhanced
by the fact that thej joint resolution was not
submitted by the two houses for the approx
al OF the president; and that, of the thirty six
states which constitute the Union-eleven are
excluded from representation in either house
OF congress, Although with the single excep.
tion OF Texas, they have been restored to all
their functions as states in conformity with
the organic law of tho land, and have appear
ed At the national capitol, by senators and
representatives, who have applied for and
have been refused admission to the vacant
seats.
None of the sovereign people of the nation
have been offered an opportunity Of express
ing their views on the important Questions
which the amendment involves. Grave doubts
therefore may naturally and justly arise as to
whether the action OF congress is in harmony
with the sentiments of the people, and wheth.
or state legislatures elected without reference
to such an ISSUE should be called upon by
congress to decide respecting the ratification
of the proposed amendment.
Waving the question as to the constitu
tional validity of the proceedings of congress
upon the joint resolution proposing the
| amendment, or as to the merit of the article
| which it submits through the executive de-
! partment of the states, l deem it proper tt
| observe that the steps taken by the secretary
| of state, as detailed in the accompanying re
port, are to be considered as purely minister
| ial, and in no sense whatever committing tn,
executive to an approval of the recommends
| ton of the amendment to the state legisla
| lures, or to the people. On the contrary, 6
proper appreciation of the letter and spirit O
the constitution, as we'll as the interests o
national order, harmony and Union, and
/ difference for an enlightened public judge
msnt, may at this time woll suggest q doub
whether any amendment to the constitution
ought to be proposed by Congress, and press
| ed on the Legislatures of the several stats
for final decision until after the admission o
such senators and representatives of the nov
unrepresented states as are now, or herestte
may be chosen in conformity with the consti
tuition and laws of the United States.
| (Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON.
! Dated Washington, June %, 1866.
| Appended to the above message is a com
munication from the secretary of state ad
dressed to the president, in which he report.
that on the 10th inst. the Hon. Amssa Cobb
q member of the committee of the house o
| representatives on enrolled bills, brought t.
this department and deposited therein an en-
rolled resolution of the two houses of congress
which was thereupon read by the secretar,
of state and deposited among tho rolls of tn
department copy of which is hereunto sp
pended.
Thersupon the secretary of state, on tn
10Th ipst., in conformity with the proceeding
which was adopted by him in 1865, in re
gard to the then proposed and afterward
adopted congressional amendment of tn
United States, concerning the prohibition 0
slavery, transmitted certified copies of tn
annexed resolution to the governors Of tn
several states, together with certificate an
circular letter. A copy of both these com
munications is hereunto annexed.
Signed WIN. Ii. SEWARD.