Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-15
Message of the President.

The following message was sent to Congress
wednesday week by the President: -
To the Senate and House Of Representatives. ::
While | am aware that the time in. which
Congress proposes now to remain IN session Is
very brief and that it is its desire, As far as IS
consistent with the public interest, to avoid
entering upon the general business Of legisla-
ton, there is one subject which concerns so
deeply the welfare of the country, that deem
it my duty to bring it before you.
i 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 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 civil and political
rights Of all persons within their borders.
The authority of the United States, which
has been vindicated and established by its mil
itary power, must undoubtedly be asserted for
the absolute protection of all its citizens in the
full enjoyment of the freedom and security
which is the object Of arepubican government.
But whenever the people Of rebellious State
are ready to enter in good faith upon the ac
complishment Of this object, in entire confOr-
nifty with the constitutional authority of Con-
gress, it is certainly desirable that all causes Of
irritation should be removed as promptly as
possible, that a more perfect Union may be
established, and the country be restored to
peace and prosperity.
The convention of the people Of Virginia
which met in Richmond on Tuesday, Decem-
Der 8, 1867, framed constitution for that
State, which was adopted 10y the convention
on the 18th Of April, 1868; and desire re-
specially to call the attention Of Congress to
the propriety of providing by law for the hold
ing Of an election in that State at some time
during the months of May and June next, un-
der the direction of the military commander Of
the district, at which the question Of the adop-
ton of that constitution shall be submitted to
the citizens Of the State And If this should
seem desirable, would recommend that a sep
arate vote be taken upon such parts as may
be thought expedient; and that, at the same
time and under the same authority, there shall
be an election for the officers provided under
such constitution; and that the constitution,
by the people, be submitted to Congress on
the first Monday of December next, for its con-
sideration, so that if the same is then approved
the necessary steps will have been taken for
the restoration of the State of Virginia to its
proper relations to the Union.
am led tc make this recommendation from
the confident hope and belief that the people
of that State are now ready to cooperate with
the NATIONAL Government in bringing it again
into such relations to the Union as it ought as
soon as possible, TO establish and maintain, and
to give to all its people those equal nights IN
der the law which were asserted in the Decla-
ration of Independence in the words OF one Of
the most illustriouS of its sons.
desire also to ask the consideration Of Con-
gress to the question whether there is not Just
ground for believing that the constitution
framed by convention Of the people of Mis-
sissippi for that State, and once rejected, might
not be again submitted to the people of that
State in like manner, and with the prohabili-
~ of the same result. L. S. GRANT.
WASHINGTON, April 7, 1862