Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-06-26
T Z L EG r A 2 HIO-

WASHINGTON, June 22.-The President
sent into Congress to-day the following
message in relation to the reconstruction
amendme0 to the constitution
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
submit to Congress a report of the
| Secretary of State, to whom was referred
| the concurrent resolution of the 18th inst,
respecting a submission to the Legislatures
| Of the States of an additional article to the
constitution of the United States It will
| be seen from this report that the Secretary
OF State had, on the 10th, transmitted to
the Governors of the several States certi-
| fed copies of the joint resolution passed on
the 18th, proposing an amendment to the
constitution. Even in ordinary times any
question Of amending the constitution
must be justly regarded as of paramount
Importance. This Importance at the pres
ent time is enhanced by the fact that the
j int resolution was not submitted by the
House for the approval 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 ex-
ception of Texas, they have been entirely
restored to all their functions as States in
conformity with the organic law of the
land, and have appeared at the national
capital by Senators and have been refused
admission to the vacant seats, nor have
the sovereign people of the nation been
afforded an opportunity of expressing their
views upon the important question which
the amendment involves. Grave doubts
may naturally and justly arise whether
the action Of Congress is in harmony with
the sentiments of the people and whether
to such issue they should be called upon
by Congress to decide. Respecting the
ratification Of the proposed amendment,
waving the question as to the con.titu-
tional validity Of the proceedings of Con-
gress upon the joint resolution proposing
tbs amendment, or IS to the merits of the
article which it submits through the Ex-
ecutlve Department to the Legislatures of
the States, | deem it proper to observe
that the steps taken by the Secretary of
State, as detailed in the accom- panyne re-
port, are to be considered as purely minis |
terial, and in no sense whatever commit |
ting the Executive to an approval, or |
recommendation of the amendment to the |
State Legislatures, or to the people, On |
the contrary, proper appreciation of the |
letter and spirit of the constitution, as |
we'll as Of the interests Of national order |
and harmony and union, and q due de- |
ference for an enlightened public iud0- |
ment, may al this time we'll suggest a |
doubt whether any amendment to the
constitution ought to be proposed by Con
gress, and pressed upon the Legislatures
OF the several States for final decision until
after the admission of such loyal Senators
and Representatives of the unrepresented
States as have been, or may hereafter be,
chosen, in conformity with the constitu-
ton and laws Of the United States. q
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 22.-Accom-
panying the message of the President is
the report OF the Secretary of State, an
nouncing that he had, in conformity with
the preceding which had been adopted by
blm IN 1865, in regard to the proposed and
afterwards adopted congressional amend.
ment OF the constitution of the United
States, concerning the prohibition of sIa-
very, transmitted certified copies of the
olnt resolution to the Governors of the
several States, together with certificate
and circular. Ga
New YORK, June 23.-Tke Lafarge TaS1se
has changed hands-Henry Bruce, of Een
lucky, has become the proprietor, and
changed its name to the Southern Hotel.
New YORK, June 23.-The revolution in
st. Domingo has been successful. Presi-
lent Baez has fed 70 Europe.
New YORK, jung 20, l P. M.-Gold,
SIX.
Sterling exchange, 10.
Caston rules dull.
Sales thus far 500 bales at SIC. for Mid
ling Uplands, and 40c. for Middling
orleans.