Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-04-12
RECONSTRUCTION.
message from the President.
He Urges Congress TO Provide,
Before Adjournment, for the
Admission of Virginia and
Mississippi.

WASHINGTON, April Z, 1S69.-The fol-
lowing message was received from the
President by Congress, at four O'Clock
this afternoon
To the Senate spd House Of representatives.;
While 1 am aware that the time ia
which Congress proposes now 10 remain
in session is very brief, and that it is its
desire, as far as consistent with the pub
lie interest, to avoid entering upon the
general business Of legislation, there is
one subject which concerns so deeply the
welfare Of the country that 1 deem it
my duty to bring it before you.
/ have no doubt you Will concur with
me in the opinion that 1t Is desirable to
restore the States which were engaged IN
the rebellion to their relations to the
! Government and the country at as early
| a period ss the people Of these States
shalI be found willing to become
| peaceful and orderly communities, and
| TO adopt and maintain such constitutions
and laws as will effeetuslly secure the
civil and political rights Of all persons
| within their borders. The authority of
| the United States, which has been vim
dicated aud established by its military
| power, must undoubtedly be asserted for
! The absolute protection of all its citizens
| in the full erioyment Of that freedom
| and security which is the object OF Re-
publican Government; but whenever
| the people of rebellious State are ready
| to entertain good faith upon the accom-
| pIishment of thF object in entire con-
| formity with the constitutional authority
| of Congress, it is certainly desirable that
! all causes of irritation should be removed
as promptly as possible that more
| perfect union nay be established and
4 RI
| peFity.
The Convention of the people Of Vir-
ginis, which met ia Richmond on De-
cember 3, 1857, framed Constitution
| for that State, which was adopted by the
| Convention on the 17th OF April, 1858,
and desire respectfully to call the st
| tenti0n OF Congress to the propriety OF
providing by the law for holding an elec-
| ton in that State, st some time during
the month OF May or June next, under
| the direction Of the military commander
| OF the District, At which the question OF
/ the adoption OF that Constitution shall
be submitted TO the cit;zsns Of the State !;
and, if this should seem desirable. L
would recommend that separate vote
be taken upon such parts as may be
thought expedient and that at the same
time, and under the same author
/
the officers provided fer uBder such Con.
stitution and that the Constitution, or
such parts thereof as shall have been
adopted by the people, be submitted to
| Congress on the first Monday Of Deeem-
Der next for its consideration, so that if
the same is then approved. the necessary
steps will have been taken for the resIOr-
alton of Virginia to its proper relations to
the UAiOD.
L am led to make this recommendation
freMshe confident hope and belief that
I the feple OF thst State are now ready
| to cooperate with the nstiOnSl govera-
ment in bringing it into such relations
to the Union as iF ought, as soon as pos
| sihle, to establish and maintain, and to
give to all lis people those equal rights
under the Law which Sre asserted in the
! Declaration OF Independence.
In the words Of one OF the most Illus
trious sons, desire also to ask the con-
sideration of Congress to the question
| whether there is not just ground for be-
ieving that the constitution framed by
q convention OF the people Of Mississippi
for that State, and once rejected, might
not be again submitted to the people OF
that State in like manner, and with the
| probability Of the same result.
| [Signedl L. ). GRANT.
| WASHINGTON, D. c, April :, 1863.