Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-12-13

After a brief interval, the Con-
gress of the United States resumes
its annual legislative duties. An
all-wise and merciful Providence
has abated the pestilence which
visited our shores, leaving its ca
lamitous traces upon some portions
of our country. Peace, order,
tranquility, and civil authority
have been formally declared to
exist throughout the whole Of the
United States. In allof 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civil authority has superseded the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 opera
ton. The enforcement of the laws
is no longer "obstructed in any
State by combinations too power
full to be suppressed by the ordina-
ny course of judicial proceedings"
and the animosities engendered
by the war rapidly yielding to the
benefcent Influences of our free in
stitutions, and to the kindly effects
of unrestricted social and CONNER
cial intercourse. An entire resto-
ration of fraternal feeling must be
the earnest wish of every patriotic
heart; and we will have accom-
plished our grandest national a.
chievement when, forgetting the
sad events of the past, and remem-
boring only their instructive les
sons, we resume our onward ca
reer as free, prosperous and uni
ted people.
RETROSPECTIVE.
In my message of the 4th of
December, 1865, Congress was In
formed Of the measures which had
been instituted by the Executive
with a view to the gradual res
toration of the States in which the
instruction occurred to their re-
lations with the General Govern
ment. Provisional Governors
have been appointed, Conventions
called, Governors elected, Legisla-
lures assembled, and Senators and
Representatives chosen to the Con-
gress of the United States. Courts
have been opened for the enforce
ment of laws long in abeyancG
The blockade has been removed,
custom-houses re-established, and
the Internal Revenue Laws put in
force, in order that 4he people
might contribute to the national
income. Postal operations had
been renewed, and efforts were be-
ing 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 le-
gitimate results of our internecine
struggle.
TIE ONE THING THAT REMAINS.
Having progressed thus far, the
Executive Department found that
it had accomplished nearly all that
was within the scope OF It's consti-
tutional 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
Senator'S and Representatives from
the States whose people had re-
belled against the lawful authori-
ty of the General Government.
This question devolved upon the
respective Houses, which, by the
Constitution, are made the judges
of the elections, returns and quail
fcations of their own members;
and its consideration at once en-
gagged the attention of Congress. /
STEPS TOWARDS RECONSTRUCTION.
In the meantime, the Executive
Department-no ether plan hav-
ing been proposed by Congress
continued its efforts to perfect, as
far as possible, the restoration of /
the proper relations between the
citizens of the respective States
and the Federal Government, ex-
tending, from time to time, as the
public interests seemed to require,
the Judicial, revenue, and postal
system of the country. With the
advice and consent of the Senate, |:
the necessary officers were appoint
ed, and appropriations made by
Congress for the payment of their
salaries. ThepropOsition to amend
the Federal Constitution, so as to s
nreyent the existence Of slavery G