Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-12-11
6 M ES $ A G. E
OF TIE
OF THE UNITED STATES
TO THE ---
TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS
AT THE
Commencement of the Second Session.

Fello,c-citiz of the Senate and
House of Representatives. ::
After a brief interval the Congress of the
United States resumes its annual legislative la
bors. An A-wise and Merciful Providence
has abated the pestilence which visited our
shores, leaving its calamitous traces upon some
portions of our country. Peace, order, tran
guilty and civil authority have been formally
declared to exist throughout the whole of the
United States In all the States civil authority
has superseded the coercion of arms. and the
people, by their voluntary action, are maintain
ing their governments in full activity and conf
plete operation. The enforcement of the laws
is no longer 'sobstructed in any State by combi-
nations too powerful to be suppressed by the
ordinary course of judicial proceedings )" and
the animosities engendered by the war are rap
idly yielding to the benefcent influences of our
free institutions, and to the kindly effects OF u-
restricted social and commercial intercourse
An entire restoration of fraternal feeling must
be the earnest wish of every patriotic heart !;
and we will accomplish our grandest national
achievement when, forgetting the sad events OF
the past. and remembering only their instruc-
tive lessons, we resume our onward career as a
free, prosperous, and united people.
RECONSTRUCTION.
In nv Message of the 4th ofDecember, 1865,
Congress was informed of the measures which
had been instituted by the Executive with a
view to the gradual restoration of the States In
which the insurrection occurred to their rela-
tions with the General Government. Provls-
ional Governors had been appointed, ,Conven-
tions called, Governors elected, Legislatures as
sembled, and Senators and Representatives
chosen to the Congress of the United States
Courts had been opened for the enforcement OF
laws long in abeyance The blockade had been
removed custom houses re-established, and the
internal revenue laws put in force, In order that
the people might contribute to the national In
come. Postal operations had been renewed,
and efforts were being made to restore them to
their former condition of efficiency. The States
themselves had been asked to take part in the
high function Of amending the Constitution,
and of thus sanctioning the extinction OF Atrl-
can slavery as one of the legitimate results OF
our internecine struggle
Having progressed thus far, the Executive
Department found that it had accomplished
nearly all that was within the scope of Its con-
stitutional authority One thing, however, yet
remained to be done before the work OF restora-
ton could be completed, and that was the ad-
mission to Congress of loyal Senators and Rep
resentatives from the States whose people had
rebeled against the lawful authority of the Cen
eral Government. Thisquestion devolyed upon
the respective Houses, which, by the Constitu-
ton, are made the judges OF the elections, re-
turns, and qualifications of their own members !;
and its consideration at once engaged the atten-
ton of Congress.
EXECUTIVE EFFORTS.
In the meantime, the Executive Department
no other plan having been proposed by Con-
gress-continued its efforts to perfect, as tar as
was practicable, the restoration Of the proper
relations between the citizens of the respective
States, the States, and the Federal Government,
extending, from time to time, as the public In
terests seemed to require, the judicial, revenue,
and postal systems of the country With the
advice and consent of the Senate, the necessary
officers were appointed, and appropriations
made by Congress for the payment of their sal
aries The proposition to amend the Federal
Constitution, SO as to prevent the existence OF
slavery within the United States or any. place
subject to their jurisdiction, was ratified by the
requisite number of States and on the 18th
dav Of December, 1865, it was officially declared
to have become valid as part Of the Constitu-
ton Of the United States. All of the States in
which the insurrection had existed promptly
amended their constitutions SO as to make them
conform to the great change thus effected IN the
organic law of the land declared null and void
ali ordinances and laws of secession ;repudiated
all Dretended debts and obligations created for
the revolutionary purposes of the insurrection
and proceeded, in good faith to the enactment
of measures for the protection and amehoratlon
of the condition of the colOred race. Congress,
however, yet hesitated to admit any Of these
States to representation and it was not until
towards the close of the eighth month of the
session that an exception was made in favor Of
Tennessee, by the admission of her Senators
and Representatives.
| IMPORTANCE OF ADMISSION OF SOUTHERN REP
| RESENTATIVES.
| deem it subject of profound regret that
Congress has thus far failed to admit to seats