The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

ciful Providence Has abatcu the pesti-
lence which visited our shores, leaving
its chlamitous traces upon some portions
of our country. Peace, Drder, tranquil
ity, and civil authority have been for
mally declared to exist throughout the
whole Of the United States. In all of
the States civil authority has superced-
ed the coercion of arms, and the people,
by their voluntary action, are maintain
ing their governments IN full activity
and complete operation. The enforce
ment of the laws is no longer obstruct-
cd in any State by combinations too pow
erful to be suppressed by the ordinary
course of judicial proceeding;" and the
aDimosities engenderUd by the war are
rapidly yielding to the beneliccnt inhu-
ences of our free institutions, and to the
kindly effects of unrestricted social and
commercial intercourse. An entire res
toration of fraternal 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 only their instructive
lessons, we resume our onward career
as a free, prosperous, and united people.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
In my message of the fourth of De-
cember, 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
relations with the General Government
Provisional Governors had been appoint
ed, conventions called, Governors elect
ed, Legislatures assembled, and Senators
and: Representatives chosen to the Con-
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-
lished, and the internal revenue laws
put in force, in order that the people
might contribute TO the national income.
Postal operations had 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, and thus
sanctioning the extinction of African
slavery as one of the legitimate results
of our internecine struggle.
Having progressed thus far, the Exec
tItive Department found that it had ac-
complished nearly all that was within
the scope of its constitutional authority.
One thing, however, yet remained to be
done before the work of restoration
could be completed, and that was the
admission to Congress of loyal Senators
and Representatives from the States
whose people had rebelled against the
lawful authority of the General Govern
ment. This question devOlved upon
the respective Houses, which, by the
Constitution, are made the judges of
the elections, returns, and qualifications
of their own members; and its consid-
Grafton at once engaged the attention Of
Congress.
In the meantime the Executive De
partment-no other plan having been
proposed by Congress its ef-
forts to perfect, as far as was practicable,
the restoration of the proper relations
between the citizens of the respective
States, the States, and the Federal Gov
ernment, extending, from time to time,
as the public interests seemed to require,
fhn itrAtninl aud rnstal
TENS of the country. With the edvice
and consent of the Senate, the necessary
officers were appointed, and appropria-
tions made by Congress for the payment
of their salaries. The proposition to
amend the Federal Constitution so as tC
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
eighteenth day of December, 1868, il
was officially declared to have become
valid as part Of the Constitution of the
United States. AlloI the States III which
the insurrectiOn had existed promptly
amended their constitutions 50 aS tC
make them conform TO the great change
thus effected in the organic law Of the
land; declared null and void all ordi
nances and laws of secession; repadiateC
all pretended debtsand obligations Great
ed for the revolutionary purposes of the
insurrection; proceeded in good faitl
70 the enactment OF measures for the pro
lection aud aruelioration of the cOndi
tion of the eolored race. Congress, how
ever, yet hesitated to admit any Of thes'
States to representation and it was no
until toward the close of the eight
month of the session that an exception
was made in favor Of Tennessee, by TIN
Admission of her Senators and Represen
tatives.
HoN-krSffssIoN OF IOYAL REPREsEN
TATIVEs.
deem it es u subject of profound re
gret that Congress has thus far failed t,
admit to seats loyal Senators and Rep
resentatives from the other States, who's
inhabitants, with those of Tennessee
had engaged in the Rebellion, Tel
States-more than one fourth of tn
whole number-remain without repre-
sentation; the seats of fifty members i
a. the House Of Representatives, and o
twenty members in the Senate, are so
vacant-not by their own consent, nc
by failure Of election, but by the refu'