The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-12-12
Presidents Message.
Teilow. Citizens of The Senate
and House of Representations !:

lamitous traces upon some portions OF our
country. Peace, order, tranquility, and
civil authority have been formally decIar-
I'd to exist throughout the United States.
In all~of the States civil authority has
superseded the coercion Of arms, aud the
people by their voluntary action, are
maintaining their governments in full ac.
tvity aud complete operation. The en-
forcemrnt Of ihe laws is no lonuer lob
struc,ei in any State bv combinations too
powerful to te suppresse! by the ordIna
~ course Of judicial proceedings and
the anirnosites engendered by the war
are rapidly yielding to the berificent in
dueuces Of our free institutions, and to
the kindly effects OF unrss,ric,ed social
and commercial Intercourse. An entire
restoration OF fra,eraai feeling must be the
earnest wish OF every patriotic hear aud
we will have accomplished our gr.ades'
national achievement when, forgetting the
sadRents Of the past, and Remembering :
only their instructive lessons, we resume
our onward career as free, prosperous
and united people.
In NV message Of the Al Of December,
1865, Congress was informed Of the mea-
sures which had been instituted hv the
Executive with view to the gradua! res.
tora,ron Of the States in which the insnr
rection occurred TO their relations with
the General Government. Provisional
Governors had been appointed, CoLven
tions called, Governors elected, Lsgsla
lures assembled, and Senators and Rep
resentarives chosen to the Congress Of
the United States. Courts had been
opened for the enforcement Of laws long
in allowance. The blockade had been re d.
moved. cuStom-houses re established, and
the internal revenue lava put in force. in
order that the people might contribute to
the national income. Postal operations
bal heon renewed, and efforts were being
made to restore them 10 their former con
dition Of efficiency. The States them
selves had been asked to take part in the
high functions of amending tho Cons,i
tuition, and Of thus sanctioring the ex,inc.
ton OF African slavery "a ono OF he le-
gitimsts results OF our internecne s,rug.
gle.
Having progressed thus far. the Execu
tive Department found that it bad accom-.
piished near'y all that WAS within the
scope Of its constitutional authority. One
thing, however, yet rem tiued TO be done.
before the work Of restoration could hs
completed, and that WAS the admission TO
Congress Of loyal Senator. and Represen-
tatives from the States whose people hs!
rebslled against the lawful Authority OF
the General Government This question
dov0lve1 upon the respective Houses.
which, hv the Constitution, are made tho
judges OF the elections, returns and qial'
ifcstions OF their own members and its
consideration at once engaged the at,en
ton OF Congress.
la the meantime, the Executive D.par,
ment-no other plan having been propo-
sed hv Congress its efforts To
perfect as FAR As was practicable, tha res
'oratjon of the proper relations betu cen
the ci,1ens OF the respective States. the
States and ths Federal Government, ex
tending fron time to time, as the public
interests seemed 10 require, the Judicial.
revenue. and postal systems Of the coun
try. With the advice and consent Of the
Senate, the necessary officers were ap.
pointed, and appropriations made bv
Congress for the payment of their s,la.
ries. The proposition to amend the Fed
eral Constitution, 80 as to prevent the ex.
isteuce Of slavery within the United States
or any place subject to their Jurisdiction.
was ratified by the requisite nnmaer of
States; and on the lS'h dav Of D.cem
her, 1868, it was officially declared to
have become valid a. \ part OF tie Con
s,iution Of Ia. United St.tes. All of
the States in which the iusur,ac'ion had
existed promptly amended thsi, Coustitu
tions. so rs to IN aka them conform To the
great change thus elfac ell in .hs organic
ls~ Of ths land; declared null and void
all ord nancss and laws Of secession yp
puaia,ed all pretended debts Ard oblya.
tions created for the revolutionary pnr
poses "f the insurreetion and proceeded
in good faith, to the enactment Of rn.as
ures Tor the protection and amslio,stion
of the coalition OF the colorel vacs-
Congress, however,, yet hesi,ated 10 admi,
anv OF these States TO representation {:
and IL was not until towards the close Of
the eighth month OF the session that an
exception was made in favor OF Tennessee
by tho admission Of her Sesators and
Representatives.
I dean il subject, OF profound rcgrst
that Congress has thus far failed TO admit
to scat. loyal Senators aud Rapreseata.i-
Yea from other States, wbose inhabitants,
with those Of Tennessee, had engaged in
the rebellion. Ten States more than one
fouvh I the whole number r-rsnsin
~i,hout representation A; the seats OF 6hv
membss ia tho House Of Representatives
and OF twenty n,snbs's in The ssnsss are
vet vseant-not by their own cossent. rot
by = fHiiuss Of election, but by . refusal
of Congress 10 accept theW credsniisls.-
THEW admissions, IL is believed. vould have
accomplished much towards the ysaswai
and Strengthening of oM relations =. one
people. and removed ssriops csass for die.
content on the part OF tbs iBhsb,tsnts of