The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-10-25
Governors Message.

GentEemerg gthe Senate and of the House
Of Representatives.
Having assembled in this Capitol to
perform the grave and responsible du'
Ties Of legislating for the public well
fare, it is proper that we should, with
united voice and heart, invoke the
blessing of the Great Source of all
good and knowledge and ask His d.
rection in all our deliberations. In
communicating with you, by Message
as required by the Constitution, The
condition of the State, and in recon,
mending such measures as may be
deemed expedient, | acknowledge
with feelings of profoHhd gratitude
the blessings vouchsafod to us by tht
Great Ruler of the Universe, in the
auspicious condition of the State and
country, and the measure of health
and prosperity which has marked the
year, now rapidly closing out.
No people have greater reason tc
be thankful to an over-ruling Provi
donce for the blessings of the yeal
drawing to o close, than the people
of our own State. While pestilenct
has been abroad in the land, we have
enjoyed health in an unusual degree;
the earth has yielded a plentiful har'
vest; the signs of the devastationi
of the war are fast disappearing be-
fore the renewed energy and enter.
prise of our people business is pros
pering, of every kind, indications o
improvement and progress are tQ. be
seen in A7ery section Of the State
our Bonds are advancing in value, ,oul
credit is steadily improving; and mer
of enterprise, skill and means are
preparing to come to. our State, and
cast their l2ts witt us-encouraged tc
do so, by Cur having settled our po'
litical strife. ! repeat, the condition
of the State, as s whole, is very graf
flying to the friends of law and order
and It is hoped that the disturbances
in few localities will cease at an ear
ly day. ,r gn
far more favourable. than those that
surrounded the meeting Of your pred.
ecessors. The war that then ragged
gave way before the arms Of the ma
tion. The August Power that has
made himself known, to man as the
arbiter of battles, interferred between
the Government and its attempted
overthrow. The desolation that fol
lowed in the track of hostile armies
has been, in a good degree, repaired
An unusual display of industry among
all classes of the people, attended BY
commendable thrift and economy and
rewarded by two bountiful harvosts
has restored many of the comforts o.
life enjoyed before the rebellion. And
above all, the general health that ha'
prevailed throughout the State, es
pecislly during Che past season, has
crowned our blessings and given III
cause for gratitude to God for wha
we enjoy, and has done much to OBJ
litersie the memory of what we hav'
suffered.
Our State government, then in B
first stage of its restoration, has be
como firmly established by the three
fold influences of time, Congression
al recognition and popular ratification
Time has beer, its congtant ally in de
monstrating tho falsehood and the dis
honesty, as we'll as the wicked design
of its enemies. Unrec9gnized by Con
gress, it would have lacked the sane
ton Of law, and been, at the most,
Government in fact. The recognition
by Joint Resolution of Congress, =. or
proved the oath Of July, 1866, operat
ed, by relation, to give it and its act
legal validity from the beginning
But far the most effective action in it
behalf was fhe decision. by the peo
pie at the election in August last. Du
ring the canyass which preceded,
wss' subjected to the severest posIbl
strain. In addition TO the mos