Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-04-16

| aAf0i NhoNtnB haf s9hBc ot lhe PRESIDENT
was received BY Coagress at o'clock,
April, z.
To The Senate aud
u s. House Of Representatives,
While am aware that the time Ia which
congress proposes now to remain 10 session
Isvery brief, f,and that il is its desire as far
as Is consistent with the public interests,a "a
avoid entering upon the general busine IS OF
legislation, tuere is one subject which con.
Germs SO deeply the welfare of-thc country,
that deem il my duty to bring IL before
you. have no doubt that you will concur
with me 10 the opinion that II Is desirable
TO restore the States which were engaged
in the rebeilioo,to their proper relations tu
the government and the country at rs early
speriod asthe people of those States shall
be. found willing To become peaceful and
orderly cJmmunities and to adopt aud m liu.
tain such eOnstitut ons and lava as wiIl ess.sc.
tuAlly secure the civil and political rights
of q lperson ,.Ri hin tn Ii border. TIL 5au
thprity OF the u ted S ates which has been
vlndicaied and established its military
power, miust undoubtedly be asserted,for
he absolute protection Of all its citizen,
in the fuliehjoyment Of the freedom and
security which Is the object ofa kcpublicau
government. But wherever thts people5 Vi
y rebelious State are readyto enter IN good
faith upon tbs acclmp mplishment or this Oh.
ject IN entire coDfOi nifty wuh the constitu.
tional authority Of Congress, 1t iss cerIainly y
desirable that all cases of b ritatipn should
be removed ns promptly as possible thai a
| more perfect Uuion m y be established aud
tfe country be restole ed TO peace and
prosperity.
The Convention of the people of Virg' MA
which met at II chmoRd, on Tuesday, the
3rd Of December, 1867 framed asConstitu u.
ton for the State whichwas adopted by Che
\ Convention on the 18th of April, 1863, and
1 desire respectfully TO call attention o
Coz gress TO the propriety of providing by
/ law for the holding of an election Ia that
State at some time during the months o.
May or J1ne next, un Ter the direction ol
the military yicommsDderloft the District, al
which the question of The adoption of thai
/ Constitution shall be submitted TO the citi
zens OF the State, aud " this should seen
d. sirable, would recommend that a seper
arate vote be taktn upon such parts as may
be thought ,expedient, aud that at the samt
lime aud underthe same authority, thert
shall be ah election for the officers provided
under such Constitution or such part
thereof as shall have been adopted by the
people, be submitted 20 G ,ngress on this
arst Monday of December uexf, for its co l.
sideration, so that if the same is then ap
proved, the necessary steps will Lave beer
Itsken for the restoration Of the State y
Virginia to its properrslationsto the iUuion
| am led, o,m Ike this resomm sndatioa from
the cor fident hope and belief that The peo
pie of that State are nov ready to cooper
a.e with the National Government ia bdpg
ing il again into such relations TO the UnioI
as IL ought, as 81 on as possible 10 establish
and maintain, and to give TO all its peopl'
those equal rights under the law, whicl
we're asserted in the Declaration of Indc
pepdence, In the words OF one Of tho mos
illustri Of its Singers. desire also 4
ask the consideration of Congress- to tn
question whether there il not Just groun
for believing that the Constitution. frame
by a Convention Of the people of NJ ssissipI
for that State, and once rejected, might ne
be again submitted 10 the people OF tha
State in like manner, and with the proba
bility OF the same result. o. -...ds q
-a.l .a ,a'..as ,a ll .,' u. s. GRASr.
r WASHINGTON. ID. C.. April 7th 1863.