Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-15

FOUND the States suffering from the
effects OF civil war. Resistance to the
General Government appeared to have
exhausted itself. The United States had
recovered possession of their forts and
arsenals; and their armies were in the
occupation of every State which had at.
tempted to secede. Whether the ter
ritory within the limits of those States
should be held as conquered territory
under military authority, emanating from
the President as the head of the army
was the first question that presented itseli
for decision.
Now, military governments, establish
ed for AN indefinite period, would have
offered no security for the early suppress
sion of discomfort would have divided
the people into the vanquishers and the
vanquished I; and would have envenomed
hatred. rather than have restored affec-
tion. Once established, no precise limit
to their continuance was conceivable.
They would have occasioned an incalcu-
liable and exhausting expense. Peaceful
emigration to and from that portion OF
the country is one of the best means that
can be thought Of for the restoration of
harmony; an d that emigration would
have been prevented for what emigrant
from abroad, what industrious citizen at
home, would place himself willingly under
military rule? The chief persons who
would have follwed in the train of the
army would have been dependents on the
General Government, or men who ex-
pected profit from miseries of their erring
follow citizens. The power of patronage
and rule which would have been exercis-
ed, under the President, over a vast, and
populous, and naturally wealthy region,
are greater than, unless under extreme
necessity, should be willing to entrust
to any one man they are such as, for
myself, ] could never, unless on occasions
of great emergency, consent to exercise.
The willful use Of such powers, if con-
tinued through period Of years, would
have endangered the purity of the gen.
eral administration and the liberties of
the States which remained loyal.
R~a;AAas the policy of military rule over
q conquered territory would have i'm
piled that the States whose inhabitants
may have taken part in the rebellion had,
BY the act of those inhabitants, ceased to
sxist. But the true theory is, that all
pretended acts of secession were, from
he beginning, null and void. The States
,annot commit treason, nor screen the in
iividual citizens who may have commit
ed treason, any more than they can make
yalid treaties or engage in lawful com
nerce with any foreign Power. The
States attempting to secede placed them
ieIves in a condition where their vitality |
vas impaired, but not extinguished-
heir functions suspended, but not des-
royed.
But if any State neglects or refuses to
perform its Office, there is the more need
hat the general government should main
ain all its authority, and, as soon as
resume the exercise of all its
unctions. On this principle have acted
Ind have gradually and quietly, and by
llmo.t imperceptible steps, sought to re-
tore the rigbtful eoergy of the general
government and Of the States. To that
md, Provisional Governors have been
appointed for the States, Conventions
,alled, Governors elected, Legislatures
assembled, and Senators and Reprssen-
atives chosen to the Congress of the
United States. At the same time, the
Courts of the United States, as far as
,ould be done, have been re-opened, so
bat the laws of the United States may
,e enforced through their agency. The
blockade has been removed and the Gus.
om-houss re-established in ports of en-
ry. so that the revenue of the United
States may be collected. The Post Of
Ice Department renews its cesseless ac-
iyity, and the General Government is
hereby enabled to communicate prompt
v with its officers and agents. The
ourts bring security TO persons and prop
rty the opening of the ports invites the
estoration of industry and commerce;
be post office renews the facilities of
ocial intercourse and OF business. And
it not happy for us all, that the restora-
on of each one of these functions of the
ieneral Government brings with it
lessing to the States over which they are
xtended? Is it not a sure promise Of
armony and renewed attachment to the
Jnion that after all that has happened,
,e return of the General Government
known only as benefcence?