New-York tribune., 1867-04-11
RECONSTRUC1TON.
THE GEORGIA COMPLAINT.
again.

the name Of the President of the United States. as
does the bill filed by the state of Mississippi
tons that during the progress Of the late war the
ess of the United States by resolution and the Presi
dent by proclamation repeatedly declared in substance
that the Union formed by the Constitution Of the United
states Ead Ta a c BY Sa sacen afs S a the
then by any action OF their could be- removed or
against them was not wSgcd by the Government Of the
United States vindctvey for purpose OF conquest
the Federal Constitution and laws and to preserve the
Union by defeating and overcoming the essay and attempt
10 Withdraw from the Unon that while the announce
ment emanating from the existing authorities Of the
United States apparently made IN good faith, and for the
purpose OF opening a door Tor the recohciilatOn
and the full restoration of the former relations
between the SAID seeding states and the people
thereof and the Government OF the United states re.
maned unrescinded The said seeding States, and all
States and all persons whomsOeyer then and therefore
OF the United States did before the first day Of June in
the year OF our Lord one thousand eght hundred ana
and purposes full and complete surrender OF all their
ance: and did also, before the lastnamed day.
make q perfect submission to the authorities
Of the United States thereby establishing as far as IN
their power condition OF perfect peace ana acqliesence
the authority OF the constituted ofhcal departments
shows since the last named day such peace has
remained udisturbcd and unbrOken and now still exists
and that perfect order and tranquility, III this respect
and entire obedience to the laws and government Of
the United States and Of the local or state authorities
have existed and still exist throughout the said
lately seceedng States. including the state OF
Georgia, In full and perfect manner as the same
time prior to their said attempt. and they do now
exist did exist In any other OF the United states
then I'm recess. the President OF the United states deem
ing II eXpedent that all laws Of the said lately seeding
States respectively which had In any way sustained
countenanced the said attempt should be annuled, and
that the Governments OF such states should not longer
be administered by Executive officers who had been
engaged in the actual prosecution OF sueh war
as last aforesaid suspended such state officers from then
functions appointing Provisional Governors in each such
lately seeding states and among them IN the state OF
GeOrga, and through the instrumentalty OF such Pro-
Y
and In each OF the lately secedng states, the OPP
assembled TO ieadlust in conformity with the Con
stuon and Laws OF the United states the rela
tons Of such lately seeding States with the States
from which such separation had been so attempted.
and the common Government against which such
petition then speaks OF the State OF Georgia having called
Convention, and adopted new Constitution strictly
tors and Representatives who have been denied admis
TO Congress. Notwithstanding direct taxes have been
imposed, etc., and the complainant further charges
and respectfully insists that a state cannot
out OF 1t for other purposes IN the Union
for taxation and out OF regarding representation; III
the Union far as its actions subserve the further
ance Of particular views and Of 1t when in the
else OF an independent Judgment its acts OF state fail to
promote such views interests In the Union when it at
tempts withdraw therefrom and out OF it, when in good
faith it relnquishes such attempt and purposes full COM
enacted I'm pursuance thereof Complainant is informed
and believes that the President OF the United States not
wthstandng his belief clearly and strongly put IN his
veto that the act TO provide for the more
efficient government of the Rebel States and tho act
supplementary thereto" unconstitutional deems IL
TT under existing circumstances to nerpose no obstacle
to ne cS OF Of h 2S ne DO Sa aH
be made to carry them into full effect ana ana
long previously TO the passage Of the said act Of
the XXXIXth Congress, there were, ever have
been aud still are in the said state OF Georgia, many
thousands OF black Of African descent, being nhabt
ants of said state above the Of years and In all re
spects qualified and competent according 10 the terms OF
the said acts Of Congress- at any and every eec
tOn assumed TO be authorized or sanctioned By the
said acts Of Congress or either of them, and that
heard Of now s authorized by the Constitution
ef the said state OF Georgia vote at any election
otherwise exercise participate in any political
power within the said state under fits Constitution or
the XNXIXth Congress there and ~ all times since
then have heen and still in the state OF Georgia
thousands 0f free white mae citizens OF said state OF
Georgia inhabitants OF the state above the ageOf Il
ssals ana III m m Ig,s ep. S "cer in said STATE and
under the Constitution and laws thereof who at all
of promoting the Interests of ahelr country,
firmly and earnestly devoted to perpetnang
ton thereof determined 10 the best Of their ability 10
support the same and Of good name and fame and never
convicted or adudgcd guilty in any court or tribunal OF
any oense whatever VINO nevertheless 1Ond NOT truth
fully take the oath or affirmation prescribed IN the first
aud who are therefore, by the said act OF Congress pre-
vented from rcgsatiOn in reference TO any election an
thorzcd sanconcdb by the acts or eltherof hen
and from voting at any such election. The complainant
further shows that the intent and design OF the
terms is to cause to be set aside anhnled and wholly
abolished the said present existing state OF Georgia and
he erected and substituted IN its place and stead
within aud upon the territory now held and occupied Dy
the state Of Georgia and the exclusively governing
power In respect Ia all governmental or political author
ity within or concerning such territory
or concerning the property and persons there
10y the Federal Costul on another district and hitherto
unknown state, "a he called and designated the state OF
Georgia. represented aud primarily created by class OF
electors other than. and different from the class
Of voters and electors who by the fundamental law and
constitution this complainant the state Of Georgia, have
their representatives. duly elected by themselves the
state Government II the said acts either Of them
is, put ~ force or carried into execution the lmmedlate
Iectuay, and fully accomplish such unlawful intent ana
design as aforesaid
Acts of Congress into execution 20 threatened would
overthrow and destroy this eomplanans corporate eN
istence state or the Union Aforesaid bvdepriVing
the sad state Of Georgia of all the means and nsrnmen
taltes whereby such corporate existence might and
otherwise would he, maintained and upheld; ana would
deprive this complainant OF It's property, real
aud personal, aforesaid, and OF all lawful and ade
quate power means whereby 10 possees, con-
troll EMORY OF protect said property. '0r any
the complainant insists that the acts OF Congress are IN
tenor Object intent, design, purpose, Incompatible
and utterly unlawful and void That neither the
Congress or Government OF the United States has any
right power authority by nnder the Constitution
Of the United States otherwise hOws0eyer 10 declare
prescribe the qualifications Of electors for elective or
other Of the said state 0f Georga or To hold or
govern for such officers; or 20 constitute astae
Government In said State or TO annu sci aside, disturb
the said existing Constitution or Government theieei,
complainant appehends and believes hat the Prcsldent
Of the United States, and the said Edwin NJ stanton
Ulysses 5. Grant and John Pope a.ung oy ana uhuer
the orders and directions Of the President In that BEHALF
will put the said acts OF Congress IN force wlth the sa
state Of Georgia and therein i execute ,a saa iae sc ss
above In this bill alleged and with the effect and produc
ing the unous aud disastrous consequences TO tns com
ting In force and execution OF the said Acts OF Congress
he restrained enoined and prevented by this Honorable