Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-06-28
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, June 22.-Tbe President
sent into Congress to-day the following
message in relation to the reconstruction
amendment to the Constitution:
To the Senate and Hoasse Of Representa-
tives: submit to Congress a report of the
Secretary of State, to whom was referred
the concurrent resolution of the 18th in
slant, respecting submission to the Legis
latures of the States Of an additional
article to the Constitution Of the United
States. 1t will seem from this report that
the Secretary Of State had, on the 10th
inst, transmitted to the Governors of the
several States certified copies of the joint
resolution passed on the 18th inst, propos'
ing an amendment to the Constitution.
Even in ordinary times any question of
amending the Constitution must be justly
regarded as of paramount importance.
This importance is at the present time
enhanced, by the fact that the joint resolu'
ton was not submitted by the House for
the approval of the President; and that of
the thlrty-six States which constitute the
Union, eleven are excluded from represen-
tatiou in either House of Congress, al
though, with the single exception of Texas,
they have been entirely restored to all their
functions as States, in conformity with the
organic law of the land, and have appeared
at the National Capital by Senators, and
have been refused admission to the vacant
seats. Nor have the sovereign people of
the nation been afforded an opportunity of
expressing their views upon the important
questions which the amendment involves.
Grave doubts, therefore, may naturally and
Justly arise as to whether the action Of
Congress is in harmony with the people. and
whether, in such an issue, they should not
be called upon by Congress to decidere
ing the ratification of the present amend.
ment giving the question.
AS to the Constitutional validity of the
proceedings of Congress upon the joint res
olution proposing the Amendment, or as to
the merits of the article which it submits
through the Executive Department to the
Legislatures of the States, 1 deem it proper
to observe that the steps taken by the Sec.
retary of State, as detailed by the accompa.
nying report are to be considered as purely
ministerial, and in no sense whatever, COM
mitting the Executive to an approval or a
recommendation of the amendment to the
State Legislatures or to the people. On the
contrary, a proper appreciation of the letter
and spirit of the Constitution, as we'll as
of the interests of national order and har-
mony of the Union, and Difference for an
enlightened republican Government may at
this time we'll suggest doubt whether any
amendment to the Constitution ought to be
proposed by Congress, and pressed opou the
Legislatures of the several States for final
decision until after the admission of such
loyal Senators and Representatives of the
new unrepresented States as have been or
may hereafter be chosen in conformity with
the Constitution and laws of the United
States. ... ....... ...
GSigned.] ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, June %, 1866.
Accompanying the message Of the Presi-
dent is the report of the Secretary of State
announcing that he had in conformity with
the proceedings which had been adopted by
him in 1865, in regard to the proposed and
afterwards adopted Congressional amend
ment of the Constitution of the United
States concerning the prohibition of slavery,
transmitted certified copies of the joint res
olption to the Governors of the several States,
together With circular letter
nrnnu on GrNppAr CAsS-Ganaral