Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-09
RECONSTRUCTION.
Special Message from she President
I'm Regard TO Virginia and MissIs-
s'ppi.

I'm Regard TO Virginia and sIissIs
s'ppi.
The following message was sent t
|, Congress on the 7th instant:
To the Senate and House of Represen
tatives: While l am aware that tn,
time in which Congress proposes now t.
remain in session it is very brief and
that it is its desire, as far as consistent
with public interest TO avoid entering
upon the general business of legislation
there is one subject which concerns so
deeply the welfare of the country that !
deem it my duty to bring it before you.
have no doubt you will concur with
me in the opinion that it is desirable to
restore the States which were engaged in
the rebellion to their relations to the gov
eminent and the country at so early q
period as the people of those States shall
be found willing to become peaceful and
orderly communities and to adopt and
maintain such constitutions and laws as
| will effectually secure the rights of all
persons within their borders. The
authority of the United States which has
been vindlcated and established by its
military power must undoubtedly be as>
serted for the absolute protection of all
its citizens in the fall enjoyment Of frees
dom and security, which is the object of
q republican government; but whenever
the people Of rebellious State are ready
to enter, in good faith, upon the accomp-
lishment Of this object in entire conform
lty with the constitutional authority Of
Congress, it is certainly desirable that
all causes of irritation should be removed
as promptly as possible, that more per-
feet Union may be established and the
country restored to peace and prosperity.
The convention of the people of Vir- |
ginia, which met in Richmond December |
3, 1857, framed a constitution for that |
State, which was adopted by the conven>
ton on the 18th of April, 1868, and de-
sire respectfully to call the attention of
Congress to the propriety of of providing
by law for the holding Of an election in
that State at some time during the
months of May or June next, and 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 citizens 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
lime, and under the same authority,
there shall be an election for the officers
under such constitution, and
hat the constitution or such parts
hereof as shall have been adopted by
he people be submitted to Congress
IN the first Monday in December
lext for its consideration, so that if
he same is then approved the necessary
tep will have been taken for the restora-
ion of Virginia to its proper relations to
he Union. | am led TO make this re- l
from the confident hope
nd belief that the people of the State
re now ready to cooperate with the na>
lonal government in bringing it into such {
Citations to the Union as it ought, as 6
Don as possible to establish and main. a
ain, and to give to all its people these f
quail rights under the laws which are '
Sserted in the Declaration of Indepen- i
ence in the words of one of our coun- e
rvs most illustrious sons. | desire also B
ask the consideration Of Congress to d
he question whether there is not Just '
round for believing that the constitu- s
on, framed by convention of the peo- a
lie of Mississippi for that State, and once '
elected, might not be again submitted to
ae people of that State in like manner
nd with the probability of the same re-