The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES TO THE TWO HOU-
SEES OF CONGRESS AT THE COM
MENCEMENT OF THE SECOND SEES
CJON


SION.
Fsllop Citizins of the Senate i.t-i
and House of Representatives
After brief interval the Congress of
the United States resumes its annual
legislative labors. An all-wise and mer-
ciful Providence has abated the pesti-
lence which visited our shores, leaving
its calamitous traces upon some portions
of our country. Peace, order, tranquil
lily, 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the States civil authority has superseded
the coercion of arms, and the people, by
their voluntary action, are maintaining
their governments in full activity and
complete operation. The enforcement
of the laws is no longer :" obstructed in
any State by combinations too power
full 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 So
cial and commercial intercourse. All
entire restoration of fraternal feeling
must be the earnest wish of every pa
triotic heart; and we will have accom-
plished our grandest national achieve
ment when, forgetting the sad events
of the past, and remembering only their
instructive lessons, we resume our on
ward career as free, prosperous, and
united people.
In nv message of the 4th of Decem-
Der, 1865, Congress was informed of the
measures which had been instituted bv
the Executive with view to the gra-
dual restoration of the States in which
the Instruction occurred to their rela-
lions with the General Government
Provisional Governors had been appoin-
ted, Conventions called, Governors cleo
ted, Legislatures assembled, and Sena-
tors and Representative 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 peo-
pie might contribute to the national in
come. Postal operations had been re-
newed, 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
function of amending the Constitution,
and of thus sanctioning the extinction
of African slavery as one of the legiti-
mate results 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
could be completed, and that was the
admission to Congress of loyal Senators
and Representative from the States
whose people had rebelled against the
lawful authority of the General Gov
eminent. 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-continued its
efforts to perfect, as far as was practical
BILE, the restoration of the proper rela-
tions 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 pos
tai 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 salaries. The pro-
position to amend the Federal COnsti-
tuition, 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 Deem
Der, 1865, it was officially declared to
have become valid as part of the Con-
stitution of the United States. All of
the States in which the instruction mad
existed promptly amended their Con-
situations, 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 instruction;
and proceeded, in good faith, to the
enactment of measures for the protec-
ton and amelioration of the condition
of the colored race. Congress, how
ever, yet hesitated to admit any of these
States to representation and it was
not until towards 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 Repre-
sentatives.
1 deem it a subject of profound re-
greet that Congress has thus tar failed to
admit to seats loyal Senators and Rep
resentatives from the other States,
whose inhabitants, with those of Ten
nessee, had engaged in the rebellion
Ten States more than one-fourth of
the whole number without rep