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Carl Schurz
First published 1865
39TH CONGRESS, SENATE. Ex. Doc.1st Session. No. 2.
In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 12th instant,information in relation to the States of the Union lately in rebellion,accompanied by a report of Carl Schurz on the States of South Carolina,Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana; also a report of LieutenantGeneral Grant, on the same subject.
DECEMBER 19, 1865.—Read and ordered to be printed, with the reports of
Carl Schurz and Lieutenant General Grant.
To the Senate of the United States:
In reply to the resolution adopted by the Senate on the 12th instant, Ihave the honor to state, that the rebellion waged by a portion of thepeople against the properly constituted authorities of the governmentof the United States has been suppressed; that the United States arein possession of every State in which the insurrection existed; andthat, as far as could be done, the courts of the United States havebeen restored, post offices re-established, and steps taken to putinto effective operation the revenue laws of the country.
As the result of the measures instituted by the Executive, with theview of inducing a resumption of the functions of the Statescomprehended in the inquiry of the Senate, the people in NorthCarolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,Arkansas, and Tennessee, have reorganized their respective Stategovernments, and "are yielding obedience to the laws and government ofthe United States," with more willingness and greater promptitude than,under the circumstances, could reasonably have been anticipated. Theproposed amendment to the Constitution, providing for the abolition ofslavery forever within the limits of the country, has been ratified byeach one of those States, with the exception of Mississippi, from whichno official information has yet been received; and in nearly all ofthem measures have been adopted or are now pending to confer uponfreedmen rights and privileges which are essential to their comfort,protection, and security. In Florida and Texas the people are makingcommendable progress in restoring their State governments, and no doubtis entertained that they will at an early period be in a condition toresume all of their practical relations with the federal government.
In "that portion of the Union lately in rebellion" the aspect of affairsis more promising than, in view of all the circumstances, could well havebeen expected. The people throughout the entire south evince a laudabledesire to renew their allegiance to the government, and to repair thedevastations of war by a prompt and cheerful return to peaceful pursuits.An abiding faith is entertained that their actions will conform to theirprofessions, and that, in acknowledging the supremacy of the Constitutionand the laws of the United States, their loyalty will be unreservedlygiven to the government, whose leniency they cannot fail to appreciate,and whose fostering care will soon restore them to a condition ofprosperity. It is true, that in some of the States the demoralizingeffects of war are to be seen in occasional disorders, but these are localin character, not frequent in occurrence, and are rapidly disappearing asthe authority of civil law is extended and sustained. Perplexing questionswere naturally to be expected from the great and sudden chang