The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
T.n,,o,,jy 0ote of the O0untrl


merciful Providence has abated the
nestilence which visited our Shores
leaving its calamitoUs traces upon some
DortiOns of our country. Peace, oIdef'
Tranquility and civil authority nave
been formally declared toeNi5t through
out the whole of the United states. In
all of the States civil authority has sa-
nprseded the coercion Of arms, ana the
Inaople. bv their voluntary action, are
maintaining their governments in tuii
activity and complete operation. The
enf0rcement of the laws is no longer
constructed in any State by comblna-
tioDs too powerful To be suppressed by
the ordinary course Of judicial proceed
mos >, and the animosities engendered
Ly the war are rapidly yielding to the
hanefcent influences Of our tree llsu-
unions. and to the kindly effects ni un-
rastricted social and commercial inter-
aonI,sn An entire restoration Of fra
tornal feeling must be the wish of every
.,atriofic heart and we will have ac-
diminished our grandest national
oooolhIiavpment oolI when, forgetting the sad
cents Of the past, and remembering
onIv their instructive lessons, we re-
snnlp our onward career as q free, pros
narous and united people.
Restoration Of tie STATES South.
In nv message OF the 18th of Deem
bor 1SS5. Congress was informed Of the
,aaasnrps which had been instituted by
tba Executive with a view to the grad
nal restoration Of the States, in which
,ba ius1rrection occurred, to their rela-
t;ons with the General Government.
Provisional Governors had been ap-
rointpd. Conventions called, Governors
alartpd Legislatures assembled, and
Sanators and Representative chosen
IA the Congress Of the United States.
ronrtS had been opened for the enforce
ment Of laws long in abeyance. The
blockade had been removed, custom
bousps re-established, 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
hpinr made to restore them to their
f1rnler condition Of efficiency. The
States themselves had been asked 10
take part in the high functions of
amending the Constitution, and Of thus
sanctioning the extinction Of African
slavery as one of the legitimate results
Of our internecine struggle.
That the Executive accomplished.
Having progressed thus far, the EN-
ecutive Department found that it had
accomplished nearly all that was with
in the scope of its Constitutional au-
thority. One thing, however, yet re-
mained to be done before the work OF
restoration could be completed, and
that was the admission to Congress of
avaI Senator's and Representatives
from the States whose people had re-
beIed against the lawful authority Of
the General Government. g This ques-
ton devOIved upon the respective
Houses, which, by the Constitution,
are made the judges of the elections,
returns and qualifications Of their own
members, and its consideration at once
engaged the attention Of Congress.
Efforts 10 Perfect Restoration.
In the meantime the Executive De
Wrtment-nO other plan having been
proposed by C0ngress-cUntinued its
efforts to perfect, as far as practicable,
the restoration Of the proper relations
tatWeen the citizens of the respective
States, the States, and the Federal Gov
eminent, extending, from time to time
IS the public interests seemed to
require, the judicial, revenue, and
postal systems of the country. With
the advice and consent Of the Senate,
the necessary officers We're appointed,
and appropriations made by Congress
for the payment Of their salaries. The
proposition to amend the Federal Con-
sttuti0n, so as to prevent the existence
OF slavery within the United States,
or any place subject to their iurisdic-
ton, was ratified by the requisite num-
Der Of States, and on the 18th daY of
December, 1868, it was officially de-
clared to have become valid as a part
OF the Constitution Of the United States.
All OF the States in which the insur-
rection had existed promptly amended
tAelr Constitutions, so as to make them
conform TO the great change thus effect
ell IN the organic law Of the land; de-
rared null and void all ordinances and
ldWs Of secession; repudiated all pre-
leuded debts and obligations created
.'f the revolutionary purposes Of the
.AsQrrectlOn; and proceeded in good
alth TO the enactment Of measures for
Tie protection and ameliorati0n Of the
9hdltIon Of the c0lored race. Con-
-FeSs, however, yet hesitated to admit
any OF these States to representation
ana It was not until the close of the
aSAjh month Of the session that an
exception was made in favor Of Ten
Aessee, by the admission of her Sena-
'of' and Representatives.
4 Pr9fOuad Regyrei.
deeem lta subject Of profound regret
.'4I congress has thus far failed to adj
I'LL. 10 seats loyal Senators and Repre-
~; ;tIIatlVes from the other States, whose
11udHlaht~, with those Of Tennessee,
@ ,.'t engaged in the rebellion. Ten
IT. more than Oue-fOurth Of the
""oie number, remain without repre-
+, :.iaSl22; .II the seats Of fifty members
, p. '.'e house Of Representatives and
,''"ty members in the Senate are vet
.-"Ill, not BY their own consent, not
= a failure Of election. but bv the re-
I.,..: I." u congress to accept their Gre
Iaan,l5is. I;..~, Their admission. it is be-
-on.grii -,s.i would you'd have accomplished much
or r",us o"r .',.. yne renewal and strengthening
movaJ r,, J'e'o-i2ns e as one people, and re-
tbn W W., d serious cause Of discomfort on
Sr..,tD t''It o' the inhabitants Of those
rba b. =. L would have accorded with
S.eaJ principles cnunciated in the
,f,gf frrf'%l@LloA ration OF American independence,
at',, ...", ~ people ought to bear the burden
Of ro,rl ,o'@lI'l ana yet be denied the right
rt,b YOU'D have been in consonance
,,..I.. %..H lhe express provisions Of the Con-
M,.55ution, that each .Siato lbajI nave
!, least one Reprp,an ,, ,nI .stbat