OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION-GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, the convention that recently assembled in the city of Nashville proposed certain alterations and amendments to the constitution of the State of Tennessee, and the schedule thereto appended, which, by the direction of the convention, were submitted to the people at the ballot-box on the 22d instant, and by them ratified and confirmed; and whereas the convention further provided, that in the event of the adoption of "the amendments to the constitution, and the schedule thereto," an election for governor and members of the legislature should be held on the 4th of March next following, to assemble at the capitol in Nashville on the first Monday in April next thereafter; and whereas the returns of the election for the ratification or rejection of the proposed amendments of the constitution were, by the 3d resolution adopted by the convention, to be made to the secretary of State, and the result declared by proclamation of the acting governor; and whereas complete returns have not been yet made as provided by the foregoing resolution, but enough is already ascertained to place the result of the election beyond all doubt, and fully to justify the announcement that the following articles amendatory of the constitution of the State and schedule thereto appended have been adopted by the people, viz:

"ARTICLE I.

"SECTION 1. Slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are hereby forever abolished and prohibited throughout the State.

"SEC. 2. The legislature shall make no law recognizing the right of property

in man.

"SCHEDULE.

"SECTION 1. Section 31 of the second article of the constitution, which is as follows: The general assembly shall have no power to pass laws for the emancipation of slaves, without the consent of their owner or owners,' is hereby abrogated.

"SEC. 2. The declaration of independence and ordinance dissolving the federal relations between the State of Tennessee and the United States of America,' passed and promulgated by the legislature of Tennessee on the 6th day of May, 1861, by which the State was declared separated from the federal Union, and all laws and ordinances by which Tennessee became a member of the federal Union annulled and abrogated, was in like manner an act of treason and usurpation, unconstitutional, null, and void.

"SEC. 3. The convention, agreement, and military league, entered into by the commissioners of the State of Tennessee and the commissioner of the socalled Confederate States of America, made May 7, 1861, and on the same day ratified and confirmed by the legislature, was an act of treason and usurpation, unconstitutional, null, and void.

"SEC. 4. No statute of limitations shall be held to operate from and after the 6th day of May, 1861, until such time hereafter as the legislature may prescribe, nor shall any writ of error be refused or abate in any cause or suit decided since the 6th day of May, 1861, and prior to this time, by reason of any lapse of time. And in all actions for torts brought, or which may hereafter be brought in the courts of this State by attachment levied upon the property of the defendant, the courts shall have power to proceed to judgment and collection of the same as upon contracts, without personal service of process upon the defendant, until the legislature may see fit to change the law in such cases.

"SEC. 5. All laws, ordinances, and resolutions, as well as all acts done in

pursuance thereof, under the authority of the usurped State government after the declared independence of the State of Tennessee, on or after the 6th day of May, 1861, were unconstitutional, null, and void; from the beginning: Provided, That this section shall not be construed as to affect any judicial decisions made by the State courts, held at times differing from those provided by law, prior to May 6, 1861; said judicial decisions being made pursuant to the laws of the State of Tennessee enacted previous to said date, and between parties present in court and litigating their rights.

"SEC. 6. All laws, ordinances, and resolutions of the usurped State government, passed on or after the 6th day of May, 1861, providing for the issuance of State bonds; also all notes of the Bank of Tennessee, or any of its branches, issued on or after the 6th day of May, 1861, and all debts created or contracted in the name of the State by said authority, are unconstitutional, null, and void; and no legislature shall hereafter have power to pass any act authorizing the payment of said bonds or debts. or providing for the redemption of said notes. "SEC. 7. All civil and military officers who have been or may hereafter be appointed by the acting governor of the State, are hereby ratified and affirmed, and they shall continue to hold and exercise the functions of their respective offices until their successors shall be elected or appointed and qualified as prescribed by the laws and constitution of the State and United States.

"SEC. S. The proposed amendments to the constitution, and the schedule thereto, shall be submitted to the people at the ballot-box on the 22d day of February next, and upon the adoption thereof by the people an election shall be held on the 4th day of March next for governor and members of the legislature, the latter to be voted for by general ticket, upon the basis prescribed in the act apportioning representation in the State, passed on the 19th day of February, 1852, to assemble at the capitol on the first Monday in April next, said officers to continue in office until their successors shall be elected and qualified under the regular biennial election of 1867: Provided, That said apportionment be so modified as to give to the counties of Johnson, Carter, Campbell, Anderson, Union, Sevier, Macon, and Hancock each one member, and the district composed of the counties of Fentress, Morgan, Scott, and Cumberland one additional member in the house of representatives.

"SEC. 9. The qualification of voters and the limitation of the elective franchise may be determined by the general assembly which shall first assemble under the amended constitution."

And whereas the time at which it is provided the election for governor and members of the general assembly shall be held is so near at hand that I deemed it proper, in advance of full returns, to declare the result of the election adopting the constitutional amendments:

Therefore, I, Andrew Johnson, military and acting governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do hereby declare that the foregoing alterations and amendments to the constitution of the State of Tennessee, and the schedule thereto annexed, have been ratified and confirmed by the vote of the people of the State, and that said articles now constitute a part of the permanent constitution and supreme law of the State of Tennessee, and as such are hereafter to be so held and regarded by the people thereof.

And I do hereby further declare and fully authorize and direct the several persons in the proceedings of the late convention named and appointed to open and hold the election for the ratification or rejection of the amendments to the constitution, to open and hold an election for governor and members to the general assembly, as in the schedule prescribed, on the 4th of March next; and they are hereby empowered and directed to open and hold said election, in person, in their respective counties, wherever practicable, and to appoint and qualify, if necessary, such judges and inspectors of election, and other officers,

as may be necessary to open the polls and conduct the election in such other parts of their respective counties as the convenience of the people may require; and to make returns to the secretary of state as provided by the third resolution of the convention, as nearly as practicable in conformity to the act of assembly in such cases made and provided.

And I do hereby further declare, and fully authorize and direct the executive committee, appointed in each grand division of the State, and referred to in the fifth resolution of the proceedings of said convention, to supply, whenever practicable, the places of all such persons as may for any cause become vacant in the list of persons herein before declared qualified to hold said election; and in such cases, when it is not convenient or practicable for vacancies to be filled as above provided, any loyal citizen of the county is hereby authorized and empowered to open and hold said election, and make returns thereof, which shall be as valid as if done by any of the persons herein before mentioned.

I do further authorize and empower the commanding officer of each regiment, battalion, detachment, battery, or hospital of Tennessee troops, wherever they may be on the day of election, to open and hold an election for their respective commands or hospitals, and make due return thereof under the same rule and regulations above prescribed.

In closing this proclamation, I sincerely congratulate the people of Tennessee on the happy result of the election, and the opening prospects of a speedy and permauent reorganization of the State government. For nearly three years, in the midst of dangers and difficulties the most complicated and perplexing, I have labored to restore the State to its former proud position in the Union. My constant effort has been to save it-not to destroy it; but the rebellious sentiments of the people often interposed obstacles which had to be overcome by military power. The task was painful, but the duty has been performed, and the result has passed into history. Time, I am happy to say, has greatly calmed the passions of the people, and experience restored them to reason. The folly of destroying their government, and sacrificing their sons to gratify the niad ambition of political leaders, needs no longer to be told to the laboring masses. The wasted estates, ruined and dilapidated farms, vacant seats around the hearthstone, prostrate business, insecurity of property, and even life itself, everywhere proclaim it in language not to be misunderstood.

But all is not lost. A new era dawns upon the people of Tennessee. They enter upon a career guided by reason, law, order, and reverence. The reign of brute force and personal violence has passed away forever. By their own solemn act, at the ballot-box, the shackles have been formally stricken from the limbs of more than 275,000 slaves in the State. The unjust distinctions in society, fostered by an arrogant aristocracy, based upon human bondage, have been overthrown, and our whole social system reconstructed on the basis of honest industry and personal worth. Labor shall now receive its merited reward, and honesty, energy, and enterprise their just appreciation. Capital heretofore timid and distrustful of success may now confidently seek remunerative and permanent investments in the State. Public schools and colleges begin anew their work of instruction, upon a broader and more enduring basis. The foundations of society, under the change in the constitution, are in harmony with the principles of free government and the national Union; and if the people are true to themselves-true to the State-and loyal to the federal government, they will rapidly overcome the calamities of the war, and raise the State to a power and grandeur not heretofore even anticipated. Many of its vast resources lie undiscovered, and it requires intelligent enterprise and free labor alone to develop them, and clothe the State with a richness and beauty surpassed by none of her sisters.

In testimony whereof, I, Andrew Johnson, military and acting governor of Tennessee, do hereunto set my hand and cause the great seal of the State to be affixed, at the executive office, in Nashville, on this 25th day of February, A. D. · 1865.

[SEAL.]

ANDREW JOHNSON.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Nashville, April 6, 1865.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives :

In accordance with long established custom, and in obedience to the requirements of the constitution, it becomes my duty to communicate to the legislature the condition of the State, and to recommend for their consideration such matters as I may deem expedient.

When we contemplate the distracted condition of the country, the four dreadful years of trial through which we have passed, and the manner in which it has been preserved, our minds naturally turn to Him whose care has been over us, who has protected and preserved us through scenes of blood and carnage unprecedented in the history of wars. For the preservation of our lives and certain remnants of our property; for the care and protection of Providence over those who have gone forth to battle, and are still risking their lives in defence of the principles upon which our happiness and property rest; for life, health, food and raiment; for our safe conduct through untold changes, by a kind Providence; for the prospect of the restoration of law and order in our distracted State; for the gleam of light, looking to peace, now breaking through the clouds that have enveloped us for the four years past; for these and numerous other blessings of which we have been the recipients, let us, in all humility and sincerity, render thanks to Almighty God, and let us earnestly implore a

continuance of his favor.

Secession is an abomination that I cannot too strongly condemn, and one that you cannot legislate against with too much severity. What has it done for our country in the space of four years? It has plunged our country into civil war, paralyzed our commerce, destroyed our agricultural pursuits, suspended the whole trade and business of our country, lessened the value of our property, destroyed many of the pursuits of life, and has involved the South in irretrievable bankruptcy and ruin.

What has it done for Tennessee? It has formed odious and unconstitutional military leagues, passed military bills, and inaugurated a system of oppressive taxation, without consulting the people, and then, in mockery of a free election, has required them by their votes to sanction its usurpation, at the point of the bayonet, under the penalty of imprisonment and death. It has offered a premium for crime, in ordering the discharge of culprits from prison, on condition that they would enter the rebel army, and in recommending the judges to hold no courts for the trial of offenders. It has stained our statute book with the repudiation of honest northern debts, and has palpably violated the Constitution, by attempting, through its unlawful extensions, to do away with the right of suffrage. It has passed laws making it treason to say or do anything in favor of the government of the United States, or against the so-called Confederate States. It has prostrated and overthrown the freedom of speech and of the press; it has involved the whole South in a war whose success is now proven to be utterly hopeless, and which, ere another year roll round, must lead to the ruin of the common people. Its bigoted, murderous, and intolerant spirit

has subjected the people of Tennessee to many grievances. Our people have been arrested and imprisoned; our houses have been rudely entered and shamefully pillaged; our families have been subjected to insults; our women and children have been tied up and scourged, or shot by a ruffian soldiery; our towns have been pillaged; our citizens have been robbed of their horses, mules, grain, and meat, and many of them assassinated and murdered.

Hundreds, yes, thousands of our young men, middle-aged and old men, have been driven from our State, and compelled to enter the federal army, in strange regiments, and their bones now lie bleaching upon the many battle-fields of the south and west, and all this because our people were true to the traditions of their fathers, and refused to worship rebel gods.. And to the honor of the people be it known, that more regiments to-day swell the number of the armies of the Union than there are living traitors in the ranks of the enemy.

In this once proud capital of the "Volunteer State," there have been thousands of Union refugees, men, women, and children, broken-hearted, naked and starving; a great many are here still. They have fled from the wicked and murderous guerillas, after being robbed of everything they possessed. They have lived in camps or tents, by fires in the open woods, have dragged out a miserable existence for a time, and died among strangers. Hundreds have suffered from actual want of necessary food, shelter, and clothing, while many residences in this rebellious city have been occupied by the families of those who were fighting against their country, or, being citizen rebels, and home traitors, have fled within the rebel lines. These families have remained here protected, and have wielded an over-ruling social influence. Many of them are wealthy, and live in ease and comfort. They have busied themselves in giving information to the enemy, in carrying delicacies to rebel prisoners who have been confined here for their crimes and treason. And it is stated upon undoubted authority, and the fact is notorious in this capital, that the disloyal families never contributed in the slightest degree to the relief of the poor and distressed women and children, or disabled soldiers thrown upon this population by the operations of the war. I state these facts, which may have the appearance of a personal and local character. that you may know how to shape your course when personal and local legislation is called for.

I have the honor to submit to the general assembly of the State of Tennesee a copy of a joint resolution of Congress, passed by a vote of two-thirds of each house, entitled "A resolution submitting to the legislatures of the several States a proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States," which is in the following words:

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, (two-thirds of both houses concurring therein,) That the following article be proposed to the legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of said States, shall be valid to all intents and purposes as a part of said Constitution, namely:

"ARTICLE XIII.

"SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

"SECTION 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

"Approved, February 1, 1863."

The slavery question here comes up in a form hitherto not discussed in our politics. It is not a question as to the right of Congress to exclude slavery rom the Territories, to legislate upon the matter themselves, nor does it involve