, 1865-12-06

same time, the Courts Of the United States,
| Is far aa could bc done, have been reopened,
60 that the laws Of the United States may be
enforced through theft agency. The block
ale has been removed and the custom-houses
1c-establishcd IN ports Of entry, 50 that the
ed. The Post Office Department rcnews It's
ceaseless activity, and the General Govern
ment Is thereby enabled to communicate
promptly with its officers and agents. The
courts bring security to persons and proper
| ty; the opening Of the porta invites the re-
sloratfou of industry and commerce; the1post
| office reuews the facilities OF social inter
course and Of business And Is It not happy
for us oil, that the restoration of each one Of
these functions of the General Government
brings with II blessing to the States oYer
which they are extendeds Is it not q sure
promise Of harmony and renewed attachment
to the Union that, after ali that has hap
pened, the return ofthc General Government
is known only as benehcencey
! know very we'll that thus policy Is attend
ed with sotne risk that for Its success II re-
quires at least the acquiesccnce Of the States
which II concerns; That It implies IN invita-
tion to those States, by renewing their allegi-
ance to the United States, to resume their
functions as States ol the Union. But It Is q
risk that must be taken; in the choice Of dill
cultics, IL is the smallest risk; and to dfulu.
ihh, and, If possible, 10 remove all dancer. I
have felt II incumbent on me to assert one
other power OF the General Government
power Of pardon. As no State can throw a
defence over the crime Of treason, the power
Of pardon is exclusively vested in the Exccu-
tive Gcve1nmcnt Of the United States. Inex-
crcising that power, I have taken every pre-
caution to connect it with The clearcst rccoe-
milton Of the binding force Of the laws Of the
United States, md m unqualified acknow1-
cdg1nent Of the great social change of condi-
tion in regard to slavery which has grown ont
or the war
The next step which L have taken to re-
aore the constitutional relations Of the
States, has been an Invitation to them TO par
tfcipate In the high olljee Of amending the
Constitution. Every patriot must wish for
general amnesty at the earliest epoch con-
tistent With public safety. For this great
end there is need Of q concurrence Of all
opinions. and the spirit Of mutual concilla-
tion. All parties In the late terrible conflict
must work together in harmony. II is not
too much TO ask, In tho name Of the whole
people, that, OIL the ono side, the plan Of
restoration AlnIl proceed IN conformity with
Willingness 10 cast the disorders Of the past
into oblivion and, that, on the other, tho
nance Of tho Union shall be put beyond any
doubt by the ratification Of the proposed
amendment to the Constitution, Which pro-
yides for the abolition OF Slavery forever with
In the limits Of our country. So long Us the
adoption Of this amendment is delayed. 20
long will doubt, and jealousy, and uncertain.
ty prevail. This Is the measure which will
euacc the sad memory of the past; this is
the measure which will most certainly call
population, and capital, md security to those
parts of the Union Tint need them most. In
deed, it is not too much TO ask Of the States
which are now resuming their places In the
family OF the Union to give this pledge OF
1I n T.,
done, the past, however much VIC may de-
sire it, will not be forgotten. The adoption
OF the amendment rcunitcs us beyond all
power Of disruption. 1t heals the wound
that is still impcrlcctlr closed; It removes
slavery. the element which Inns 80 long per.
rs once more united people, renewed md
strengthened, bound more than ever to mu-
tual affection and support.
Tie amendment 10 the Constitution being
adopted. it would remain Tor the States,
whose powers lave been SO long in allegiance,
the National Legislature, md thereby COM
plcte the work Of restoration. Here 1t Is for
you, fellow-eitizcns Of the Senate, and for
you, fel1ow-cItizens Of the House of Repre-
sentntives, TO judge, each of you for your-
selves, of the elections, returns and qual!dca-
tions Of your own members.
The full assertion Of the powers of the Gen
eral Government requires the holding Of Cir
cult Courts Of the United States within the
districts where their authority has been in-
terrnPted. In the present posture Of our pub
lie affairs, strong objections hare been urged
to holding those courts in any Of the States
where the rebellion has existed; aud II was
asccrtained, by inquiry, that the Circuit Court
Of the United States would not be held with
in the District Of Virginia during the autumn
or carly winter, nor until Congress should
have IN opportunity 10 consider and act on
the whole snhject.n To yonr deliberations
the restoration Of this branch Of the civil au-
thority of the United States is therefore nc
cessarily referred, with the hope that early
provision will be made for the resumption Of
Ill its functions. 1t fs manifest that treason,
most fragrant In character, has been commit
ted. Persons who are charged with its COM
mission shon1d have fair and impartial trials
IN thc highest civil tribunals Of the country,
in order that tho Constitution and the laws
may be fully vindicated; the truth clearly
established and affirmed that treason is
crime, that traitors should be punished and
the offence mnde infamous; ard, ut the Same
time, that the question may be judicially set
tied, finally and forever, that no State Of Its
own will has the right to rrnounce Its place
in the Union.
The relations OF the General Government
towards the four millions OF Inhabitants whom
the war has called into freedom, have en-
Eaged my most setious consideration. On
the psoprlety Of attempting TO make the
Exccuiire. look fur nv counsel The Consti-
frtinn ifserf lie }nternrctnt{ons oY thnt in.
s,rumcut Ly'its hors and Their coutcmpora.
rics, and recent legislation by Congress.
When, at the1 first Increment toward fnle-
pepdcnce. lie Congress OF tho United states
instr,ctei the several Stntes Ia fns;itntc t;oy-
ernments OF their own. they left c.ch State 10
Tcr;de to, itsc1fthr condii}ons far t1c enjoy.
inrnt orthe ct.c:Irc fInnchi.e Durin~ H.
Ts,;cd r. af h. ron,,.Sc,ncv tHcrc con1InEci r.
ir.y,st n yerr c,ent ssrer:i;v in ttc n,,siifsrs,
Iians of e,sc,nrs in the several sIstsS. and
even within State distinction Of anaiiica-
nho xerc IN he chosen he Constitution Of
thc 1-nite5 States rccnrnires these diycrs;ties
when It enioins that. In fbe choice Of mem
t,rrs or The House Of Rcpresentatlycs of The
i;nftcJ STATES The electors In each State
sha1i have The uuaiiications REQUISITE for elcc-
Tors nf the most numerous branch OF the
State Ieris,atuJe.n Afler the formation Of