The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-12-13
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fslow Ciitseenys Cie 50 Of The Senate m and House

Fsllow Cffsens Of The Senate and House Of
Representatives: irr. a, MOI. 3r.i. l4iE
After a brief interval the Congress Of
the United States resumes its annual
Legislative hbors An all wise and
merciful Providence has abated the pes
thence W. hieh visited our shores, leaviug
its calamitous traces upon some por-
tons of our country, Peace, order,
tranquility, and civil authority bage
been formally declared to exist through
out the whole Of the United States. In
all of the States civil authority has su-
perseded the coercion of arms, and the
people, by their voluntary actions are
maintaining their governments in full
activity and complete operation. The
enforcement of the laws is no longer
Constructed in any State by combina-
tons. too powerful to be, suppressed by
the ordinary course Of judicial proceed
ings;" aud the animosities engendefed
by the war are rapidly yielding to the
benefcent influences of our free institu-
tions, and to the kindly effects of un-
restricted social and commercial inter
course. An entire restoration of frater-
nal feeling must be the earnest wish Of
every patriotic heart; and we will have
accomplished our grandest national
achievement when, forgetting the sad
events of the past, and remembering on.
ly their instructive lessons, we resume
our onward career as free, prosperous
and united people. A. sa
WHAT THE EXECUTIVE DID IN THE WORK
-.t< OF RESTORATION. &AfA E ~
In my message of the 4th of Decem-
ber, 1865, Congress wasinformed of the
measures which had been instituted by
the Executive with view to the grad
ual restoration of the States in which the
insurTection occurred to their relations
with the General Government Pro-
yisional Governors had been appointed,
Conventions called, Governors elected,
Legislatures assembled, and Senators
and Representatives chosen to the Cou-
gress of the United States. Courts had
been opened for the enforcement of laws
long in allegiance. The blockade had
been removed, custom houses re-estab-
hshed, and the internal revenue laws
put in force, in order that the people
might contribute to the national income
Postal operations bad been renewed,
and efforts were being made to restore
them to their former condition Of eff
cheney. The States themselves had been
asked to take part in the high function
of amending the Constitution, aud of
thus sanctiouing the extinction of Afri-
can slavery as one of the legitimate re-
suits of our internecine struggle.
Having progressed thus far, the Ex-
ecutive Department found that it had
accomplished nearly all that was within
the scope of its constitutional authority.
One thing. however, yet remained to be
done before the work Of restoration
couldjbei completed, and that was the
admission to Congress Of loyal Senators
and Representatives from the States
whose people had rebeled against the
lawful authority OF the General Govern
ment. This question devolved upon
tile respective Houses, which, by the
Constitution, are made the judges Of the
elections, returns and qualifications of
their own members, and its, eonsidera-
ton at once engaged the attention of
Congress. n"' ~. fu sstH"pa
In the meantime, the Executive De-
other plan having been
by ConSress-continued its
efforts to perfect, as far as was practical
bile. the restoration of the prOper1ela-
tons between the citizens of the respec-
tive States, the States and the Federal
Government, extending, from time to
time, as the public interests seemed to
require, the Judicial, revenue and postal
systems OF the. country. With the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, the nee
essary officers were appointed, and ap-
made by Congress for the
payment of their salaries. The propo-
stion to amend the Federal Constitu-
ton 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 day of Decem-
Der, 1865, it was officially declared to
have become valid as part of the Con
of the United States All of
the States in which the instruction had |
existed promptly anlended'their Consti-
so as to make them conform to
the great change thus effected in the
organic law of the land; declared null
and void all ordinances and laws of Sc
cession; repudiated all pretended debts
and obligations created for the revolu-
tionary purposes Of the insurrection;
and proceeded, in good faith, to the en-
lctment of measures for the protection
and amelioration of the condition of the
colored race. Congress, however, yet
hesitated to admit any of these States
to representation; and twas not until
toward 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.
deem ita subject of profound regret
that Congress has thus far failed to ad-
nit to seats-loyal Senators and Repre-
from the other States, whose
with those of Tennessee. !