The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-12-09

sought 10 solve the lnomentous questions and
overcome the appalling difficulties that met me ut
the very commencement of my administration. 1t
has been my steadfast object to escape from the
sway OF momentary passions, and to derive heal
ing policy from the fundamental and unchanSlnS
principles of the Constitution.
found the States suffering from the effects OF q
civil war. Resistance to the General Government
appeared to have exhausted itself. The Unltec!
States had recovered possession of their forts and
arserals and their armies were in the occupation
of every State which had attempted to seeede.
Whether the territory thin the limits of those
States should be held as conquered territory, un-
der military authority emanatng from the Presi-
dent as the head of the army, was the first ques-
ton that presented itself for decision.
Now, military. governments, established for an
indefinite period, would have offered no security
for the early suppression OF discomfort; would
have divided the people into the vanquishers and
the vanquished; and would have envenomed ha-
tired, rather than have restored affection: once
established no precise limit to their continuance
was conceivable. They would have occasioned an
incalculable and eXhausting expense. Peace1ui
emigration to and from that portion of the country
is one of the best means that can be Thought Oh
for the restoration of harmony and that emlgra-
ton would have been prevented; :; for what emil
grant from abroad, what industrious C tizen at
home would place himself willingly under military
rule? The chief persons who would have followed
i'll tie train of the army would have been depen-
dents sDn tie General Government. or men who eX-
pected profit from the miseries OF their erring
fellow-citizens. The powers OF patronage and rule
which would have been exercised, under the Presl-
dent, over vast, and popuous, 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 emer-
gency consent to exercise. The wilful use OF such
powers, if continued through period OF years,
would have endangered the purity of the general
administration and the liberties OF the States
which remained loyal.
Besi des, the policy of military rule over a con-
quered territory would have implied that the States
whose inhabitants may have taken part III the
rebellion had, by the act of those inhabitants,
ceased to exist. But the true theory is, chat all
pretended acts Of secession were, from the begin
ming null and void The States cannot commit
treason, nor screen the individual citizens who
may have committed treason, any more than they
can make valid treaties OF engage i'll lawful COM
merce with any foreign rower. The States at
tempting TO secede placed themselves in condi-
ton where their vitality was impaired, but not eX
tipguished--their functions suspended, but not
destroyed
But if any State neglects or refuses to perform
its Offices there is the more need that the Gene
raj Government should maintain all its authority,
aud as soon as practicable, resume the exercise OF
all its functions. On this principe have acted,
and have gradually and quietly, and by almost I'M,
perceptible steps, sought TO restore the rlSntful
energy OF the General Government and OF the
States To that end, Provisional Governors have
beenappointed Tor the States, Conventions called,
Governors elected, Legislatures assembled, and
Senators and Representatives chosen to the Con-
gress of the United States. At the same time,
be done, have been reopened SO that the laws OF
the United States may be enforced through their
agency. The blockade has been removed and the
Custom-houses re-establShed IN ports OF entry,
so that the revenue of the United States may be
collected. The Post Office Department renews
it's ceaseless activity and the General Govern
ment is thereby enabled 10 communicate prompt
ly with its officers and agents. The courts bring
security to persohs and property the opening OF
the ports invites the restoration of industry and
commerce the post Office renews the facilities
OF social intercourse and of business And IS 1t
not ha INV for all that the restoration OF each
one o.SN,se functions of'the General Government
brings fiSl it blessing to the States over which
thew are extended'2 Is it Rpt sure promise OF
and renewed attachment to the Union
that after all that has happened, the return OF
the General Cover nraent is known only as bene-
'rI t,a1 s verv we'll that this policy is atte4ded
with some risk that fHr its success it requires at
east ,,e acouescence of the States which it con-
Germs that il implies all invitation to those
States by renewing their allegiance to the United
States, to resume their functions as Sta1es Oh inc
Union But it is a risk that must be taken Ill
the choice Of difficulties it is the smallest rlsE
and to diminish, and, ii possible, to remove all
danger have felt it incumbent on me to assert
one other power OF the General Government-the
power of pardon. As no State can throw de-
fence over the crime OF treason, the power OF par
don is exclusively vested i'll the Executive Govern
mcnt of the United States. In exercising that
power | have taken every precaution TO connect !
It with the clearest recognition of the binding |
force of the laws of the United States, aad an uE.
qualified acknowledgment of the great social
change of condition in regard to slavery which
has grown out of the war;
The next step which have taken to restore the con-
stituonal relations of the States has been an invitation
10 them to participate in the high office OF amending
the Constitution. Every patriot must wish for gene
raj amnesty at the earliest epoch consistent wltl o
renee Of al opinions and the spirit OF mutual conca-
on All parties in the late terrible conflict must work
together in harmony. 1t is not too much to ask in the
name of the whole people, that on the one side the
plan of restoration saiail proceed in CONFORMITY VIII,
willingness to cast the disorders OF the past into oo
Won, lnd that the other the evidence OF sincerity IN
The future maintenance Of The Union shall be put oeyona
sny doubt by the ratification of the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution, which provides jor the aoon
lion of slavery forever within the limits OF our country
s. long as the adoption Of this amendment Is delayed
80 long will doubt, and jealousy, and uncertainty pre-
vail This s the which Will eface the SAD me
mory of the past; this is the measure which Will mosr
certainly cali population ond capital, and security to
those parts Of the Union that need them most Indeed
not too much 10 ask Of the States which are now
resumng their places in the family OF the Unlon 10
give this pledge OF perpetual loyalty ana peace Ghu
Is DONE the past however much we may desire It, will
not be forgotten. The adoption of the amendment re-
ures US beyond all power OF disruption. heals the
wound that is still imperecty closed it removes sla-
very the element which has SO long perpe1ed ana ovl
ed the country; it makes Of us once more united peo
pie, renewed and strengthened bound more than ever
" mutual affection and support
The Amendment to the Constitution being adopted,
would remain for the States, whose powers dave been so
long in abeyance to their places in the two
branches OF the National Legislature and thereby COM