Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-04-13
Message of President Grant.
RESTORATION OF THE REBEL STATES.

RESTORATION OF THE REBEL STATES.
Washington, April THE following
message was received by congress from the
President at four o'clock this afternoon:
To the Senate and House of Representatives
While | am aware that the time which
Congress proposes now to remain III ses-
sion is very brief, and that it is its desire,
as far as consistent with the public inter
est, to avoid entering upon general bust
ness 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 that
you will concur with me in the opinion
that it is desirable to restore the states
which were engaged in rebellion to their
proper relations to the government and
the country at as early period as the peO-
pie of those states shall be found willing
to become peaceful and orderly commune
ties, and to adopt and maintain such con-
situations and laws as will etfectually Sc
cure the civil and political rights of all
persons within their borders. The author
itv of the United States, which has been
vindicated and established by its military
power, must be asserted for the absolute
protection of all its citizens in the full en-
iovment of their freedom and security,
which is the object Of a republican gov
eminent. But whenever the people OF re-
bellous states are ready to enter in good
faith upon the accomplishment of this OBJ
ect, in conformity with the constitutional
authority of Congress, it is certainly desir-
able that all causes Of irritation should be
removed as promptly as possible, that a
h., ,%o hi Iz,h,o ri
and the country restored to peace and pros
perity.
A convention of the people Of Virginia,
which met in Richmond Dec. 3, 1868,
| framed constitution for that state which
was adopted by the convention April II,
1868, and | desire respectfully to call the
attention of Congress to the prOprlety of
providing by law for holding an election
in that state some time during the months
of May and June next, under direction Of
| the military commander of the District,
at which the question shall be submitted
to the citizens of the State; and if this
should seem desirable | would recommend
that a separate vote be taken upon such
Iparts as may be thought eXpedient, and
that at the same time, and under the same
authority, there shall be an election for of
HCefS provided unueT SuCn constitution,
and that the constitution, or such parts
thereof as shall have been adopted by the
people, be submitted to Congress the first
Monday of December next for considera-
ton, so that if the same is then approved
the necessary steps have been taken fol
the restoration of the state to its former re.
lation to the Union.
| am led to make this recommendation
from the confident hope and belief that
the people OF that state are now ready tC
cooperate with the national government
in bringing it into such relations with the
Union as it ought, as soon as possible, tC
establish and maintain, and give to all its
people equal rights under the laws which
are asserted in the Declaration of indie
lpendence in the words of one of the most
illustrious of its sons.
| desire also to ask the consideration of
Congress to the question whether there j;
not just ground for believing that the
constitution framed by convention of
the people of Mississippi for that state
and once rejected, might not be submitted
to the people in like manner, and with q
probability of the same result
(Signed) u. S. GRANT.
! Washington, D. c., April 7, 1869.