The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-03

BetlotO Citizens Of Ute Senate and House of Re
2DTesentdtiUeS:-After brief interval the Congress
Of the United States resumes its annual legisla-
tive labors. An all-wise and merciful Provi-
dence has abated the pestilence which visited
our shores, leaving its calamitous traces upon
some portions of our country. Peace, order
tranquility and civil authority have been for
mally declared to exist throughout the whole of
The United States In all Of the States civil autho
T1ty has superseded the coersion of arms, and
the people, by their voluntary action, are main
tanning their Governments in full activity and
complete operation. The enforcement of the
laws is no longer Constructed in any State by
combinations too powerful to be suppressed by
the ordinary course of judicial proceedings"
and the animosities engendered by the war are
rapidly yielding to the benefcent influences of
our free institutions, and to the kindly effects
Of unrestricted social and commercial inter
course An entire restoration of fraternal feel
ing must be the earnest wish OF every patriotic
heart; and we will have accomp plished our grand
est national achievement when, forgetting the
sad events of the past, and remembering only
their instructive lessons, we resume
ward career as free, prosperous and united
people. . ......... .-r
Restoration of the States South.
2 In my message of the 4th of December. 1866.
Congress was informed of the measures which
had been instituted by the Executive with
view to the gradua restoration of the States, in
which the insurrection occurred, to their rela-
visional Governors had been appointed, Con-
ventions called, Governors elected, Legis-
latures assembled, and Senators and Repre-
sentatlves chosen to the Congress of the
United States. Courts had been opened
for the enforcement of laws long in allegiance.
The blockade had been removed, custom houses
re-established and the Internal Revenue laws
put in force, in order that the people might con-
tribute TO the national income. Postal opera
tions 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 functions
amending the Constitution, and of thus sane
tioning the extinction of African slavery as one
Of the legitimate results of our internecine
struggle.
what the Executive Accomplished.
Having progressed thus far, the Execu tive
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-
tion could be completed and that was the ad-
mission TO Congress of loyal Senators 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, by the Con-
stitution, are made the judges of the elections
returns and qualifications of their own men,
bers; and its consideration at once engaged the
attention of Congress.
Efforts TO Perfect Restoration
In the meantime, the Executive Department.
no other plan having been proposed by Con-
gress-continued its efforts to perfect, as far as
practicable, the restoration of the proper rela-
tions 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 sala-
ries. 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, ratified by the
requisite number of States; and on the 18th day
of December, 1865, IL was officially declared TO
have become valid as paIt of the Constitution
of the United States.
All Of the States in which the tnsurreotion
had existed promptly amended their Constitu-
tions. so as TO make them conform TO the great
change thus effected in the organic law Of the
land: declared null aud void all ordinances aud
laws ofsecession; repudiated all pretended debts
and obligations created for the revolutionary
purposes OF the insurrection; and proceeded In
GOOD faith 10 the enactment Of measures for the
1roteetion and amelioration of the condition of
the coiored race. Congress- however, YET hesl-
tated 10 admit any OF these States 10 repre-
sentation; and 1t was not until the close OF the
eighth month OF the session that an exception
was made in favor Of Tennessee Dy the aulnis-
Jop Of her Senators and RepreseRtetiIsei