The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-12-15

tam All It's authority. and, as soon as praC
tlcabIe, resume the exercise of all its func
tions. On this principle l have acted
and have gradually and quietly. and b,
almost imperceptiblc steps, sought to re
store the rightful energy of the genera
government and of the states. To tha
end, provisional governors have been ap
pointed Tor the states, conventions called
governors elected legislatures assembled
and senators and representatives chosen t,
the congress of the United States. At th
same time, the courts of the United State
rs tar as could be done, have been re
opened, SO that the laws of The Unite,
States may be enforced through their agen
cv. The blockade has been removed ant
the custom houses re-cStablished in ports o
entry, so that the revenue of the Unit ed
States may be collected The post ollie,
department rcnews its ccASe!c>S activity
and the general government Is thereby Ell
abled to communicate promptly with it.
officers and agents The courts bring Sc
curly TO persons and property the open.
lng OF the ports invites the restoration o
industry and commerce the post office
renewS the facilities of social intercourse
and of business. And * it not happy fol
lis all, that the restoration of each one OF
these functions ot the general government
brings with ii Il ble,>in. 10 the states over
which they are extended, l. it not a
sure promise of harmony and renewed at
tachmcnt to the Union that. after all that
has happened, the return of the general
government Is known only as i bencfi-
cence!
I know very we'll that this policy Is at
tended with some risk that for itS SUE
cess Ii requires NJ least the acquie>cence oi
the states which II concerns that 1t i'm
plies an invitation TO those states. bv re-
newing their alic.iance TO the United
States. to RESUME their functions IL states
of the Union Bot it i Il risk that must
he taken IN ;hr choice OF difficulties. il i
the smallest ri>l!> anl 10 diminish, and.
ii possible, to remove all dinger. | have
tcit Ii Incumbent Oh M TO assert one other
power of the general governmcnt-ihc
power of pardon. A. no state can throw
Il defence over the crime of treason. the
power of pardon is exclusively vested in
the executive government ut the | nitel
STATES. In exercising that power. have
taken every prrcaution 10 connect it with
the cleareSt recognition of The binding force
of the laws oi the United States. and an
unqualified achnowird Gmcni ot the Great
social change ut condition III regard Ia
slavery which has crown nut OF the war.
The next step which | have taken to IL
store the constitutional relations OF the
STATES has been an invitation Ia tlrm Ia
participate in The high office OF amenlin.
the constitution. Every patriot must wish
fora general amnesty at the earliest epoch
consistent with plb!ir safety. For tlli-
Grcat end there i nccl % 4 concurrence of
all opinions, and the spirit of mutual CON
citation. All parties in the late terrible
conflict must work together IN harmony.
1t Is not too much TO ;lsk. III the name OF
the whole people, that. Oh the one side.
the plan OF Restoration shall proceed in
conformity with willingness TO cast
the disorders OF the past INTO oblivion
;lnl that, on the other the evidence oi sill
ccrity IN the future maintenance of the
Union shall he put beyond any ,ioubt bv
The ratification of the proposed amend
mcnt to the constitution. which provides
Tor the abolition OF slavery forever within
the limits oi our country. So long a> the
adoption oi this amcnlmen; Is DELAYED, ~
long will doubt and jealousy and uncer-
tainty prevail. This Is tine measure which
will cti;.ce the sad memory OF the past :
this l. the measure winch will most Ger
tainly call population, and capital. and
security 10 thooc parts ot the Union that
need them most. Indeed. ii Is nni too
much to ask OF the >t;,ic> which are now
rr-uming their place i'll The family OF the
Union to give this pledge OF perpetual 10y
atty and peace. Until ii Is done. the past.
however much we may desire ii, will moi
be forgotten. The adoption OF the amend
ment reunites Us beyond all power Of dis
ruplion. 1t heals the wound that Is sill
closed: it removes slavery. the
element which has 50 long perP!cxed and
divided the country ; it makes of lis once
more united people, renewed and
strengthened, bound more than ever to mu-
tual affection and support.
The amendment 10 the constitution be-
III" adopted, it would remain for the
states, whose powers have been 80 long in
allegiance, to resume their places in the two
branches OF the national legislature, and
thereby complete the work OF restoration.
Here it Is for you, fellow citizens of the
senate, and tor You. fellow citizens of the
house Of representatives, to iuuge, each OF
you for yourselves, of the elections, re-
turns, and qualifications of YOUR own
members.
The full assertion of the powers of the
general government requires the holding OF
circuit courts of the | nitcd States within
the districts where their authority has
been interrupted. In the present posture
OF our public affairs. strong objections have
been urged to holding those courts in anv
OF the states where the rebellion has exist
ed and it was asceriained. by inquiry,
that the circuit court OF the United States
would not be held within the district of
Virginia during the autumn or early win
ter, nor until congress should have IAN
opportunity to consider and act on the