Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-06-23
Message cf the President 70 Congress.


submit to Congress 4 report Of the Sccre-
iary Of State, to whom was referred the con-
current resolution OF! the 18th instant respect
;ng 4 submission to the Legislatures Of the
si2tcs Of an additional article to the Constitu-
ion Of the United States
i will be seen from this report, that the Sec
r2jary Of State had, on the 10th instant, trans
nitted to the Governors Of the several States
certified copies Of The jJut resolution, passed
Gu the 18th instant, proposing al amendment
% the Constitution.
sven IN ordinary times, any question of
2mcndlng the Constitution must be justly re-
gardcd as OF paramount Importance. This i'm
oortance Is, at tie present time, enhanced by
he fact that the joint resolution was not sub
.nitted by the two Houses for the approval of
he President, and that Of the thirty six States,
which constitute the Union, eleven are excluded
representation in either House of Congress,
although, with the single exception of Texas,
they have been entirely restored to all their
functions as States, in conformity with the or
eanic law Of the land, and have appeared at
the National Capital by Senators and Repre-
sentati7es who have applied for, and have been
refused admission to the vacant seats.
-.0r have the sovereign people Of the nation
Gcen afforded an opportunity of expressing
tlcir views upon the important question which
he amendment involves Grave doubts thele-
sore may naturally and justly arise as to whcth-
c: the action OF Congress is in harmony with
he sentiments Of the people, and whether State
legislatures, elected without reference to such
an issue, should tc called upon by Congress to
( l.
&c amendment.
validity Of the proceedings CT Congress upon
NC joint resolution, proposing the amendment
or as to the merits Of the article which it sub
mits through tic Executive Department to the
Legislatures of the States, deem it proper to
observe that the steps taken by the Secretary
OF GGtate, as detailed in the accompanying re-
port are to be coDsideted as purely ministerial,
Ald IN no sense whatever, committing the EN-
ecutlve to an approval or Il recommendation Of
SIC amendment to the State Legislatures, or
% the people. On the contrary, a proper ap-
0;cciarion of the lcttcC;and spirit OF the Con
.iitution, as well rs Of the interests OF national
order, harmony and union, and due Difference
Tor an enlightened public judgement, may, at
this time, we'll suggest a doubt whether any
amendment to the Constitution ought to be
proposed by Congress and pressed upon the
legislatures of the several States for final de-
2ision until after the admission Of such loyal
Ucnators and Representatives Of TIE now un-
represented States as have been or may helc-
after be chosen, in conformity with the Consti-
trtion and laws OF the United States.
ANDREW JOHNSON
NAsnINGToN, d. c., June %, 1866.
appended to the above is the report Of the
Secretary Of State, to the President, certify
ing: ;'That on the 10th instant the Hon.
I.masa Cobb, Of the Committee Of the House
Of Representatives on Eorolled Bills, brought
to this Department and deposited therein an
enrolled resolution Of the two Houses Of Con-
giess which was thereupon received by the
Secretary Of State and deposited among the
rolls OF the Department, copy of which is
lereunto annexed. Thereupon the Secretary
oi State, upon the 10th inst, in conformity
With the proceeding which was adopted by him
ii 1863 in regard to the then proprosed and
afterwards adopted Congressional amendment
oi The Constitution Of the United States. con-
ccrning the prohibition Of slavery, transmitted
certified copies Of the annexed resolution to the
Governors Of the several States together with a
certificate and circular letter."