The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1869-04-17

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Reconstruction fnastep, II viii h
read with Interest af1
IT, Ne a<nafs and
IIe#s ef Representatives
While ! nm aware that the time
In which coupess proposes now 70
remain IN session Il very brief, and
that II h its desire as Il consistent
with the public interest, 10 avoid en-.
tering upon the general business Of
Legislation, there b one subject
which concerns 20 deeply the wei.
fare Of the country, that | deem II
my duty to bring Il before you.
| have no doubt that you will
concur with the In the opinion that
IL Is desirable to restore the States
which were engaged inthe rebellion
to their proper relations to the gov
crnmcnt and the country at as early
apcriod o as thepcople ofthosc States
shall be found willing to become
peaceful and orderly communities,
and to adopt and maintain such con
stitution and laws as will effcctually
secure the civil and political rights
of all persons, within their borders.
The authority Of the United States
which has been vindicated and es-
tablished by Its military power, must
undoubtedly be asserted for the alb
solute protection. of oil its citizensin
the full enjoyment of the freedom
and security which is the object ofa
republican government; but when
ever the people Of q rebellious State
are ready to enter In good faith upon
the accomplishment Of this object in
entire conformity with the constitu-
tional authority of Congress, it is
certainly desirable that all cause of
irritation should be removed as
promptly as possible, that a more
perfect union may be established,
and the country be restored to peace
andporpcrity. The Convention of
the people ofvirginia, which metin
Richmond, on Tuesday, Dec. Sd,
1857, framed a constitution for that
State which was adopted by the
Convention on the Nth Of April,
1868, and, ! desire respectfully to
call the attention Of Congress to the
propriety Of providing, by law, for
the holding Of, an election in that
State at somot time duringthe months
of May and June next, under the
direction Of the Military Comman-
der Of the District, at which the
question Of the adoption Of that
Constitution shall be submitted to
the citizens Of the State, and IL this
should seem desirable, i would re-
commend that a separate vote be Ia
ken upon such parts as may be
expedicnt, and that at the
,ame time and under the same au-
thority, there shall be an election for
he officers provided under such |
constitution and that the constitution
,r mch part thereof as shall have |
,een adopted BY the people, be sub |
nitted to Congress on the first Mon |
lay Of December next, for Its con-
liberation, 30 that ifthe same il then |
approved the necessary steps will |
lave been taken for the restoration
# the State Of Virginia, to its pro-
Der relations to the Union. | am
ed to make this Recommendation
rom the confident hope and belief,
hat the people Of that State are now
'eady to cooperate with the nation
Il government, In bringing II again
nto such relations to the Union a.
( ought ~ soon % possible, to cs-
ablislishd maintain, ahdto give to
II IT, people, shoss equal rights un.
Ter the laws which were ssered In
ne declaration Of Independence In
ne words Of one Of the most Illus
lrions Of it sops-4I desire also to-
,sk the consideration Of Congress to
he question whether there b not
uss ground for believing TINT thet
Constitution frsmcdby q Convention
81 Ea4z1 H9t.-.s.-t..s = a a