Andrew Johnson: “To save our country from evils so appalling as these, we should renew our efforts again and again.”

No power exists in the Constitution authorizing the joint resolution or the supposed law--the only difference being that one would be more palpably unconstitutional and revolutionary than the other.

In compliance with and execution of the act of Congress before mentioned, do issue this my proclamation, announcing the fact of the ratification of the said amendment by the legislature of the State of Louisiana.

My object in this communication is to suggest certain defects in the Constitution which seem to me to require correction.

I transmit the accompanying communications from the Secretary of the Interior, together with the papers to which they have reference.