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


has been my stcadfust object to escape from tho
sway fmomontary passions, ana 10 d dGrlvI neal
principles of the Constitution.
found tho States suffering from tho effects of q
civil war. Resistance to the General Government
appeared to havo exhausted itself The United
States had recovered possession Of their forts and
arscnals; and their armies were in tho occupation
| of every State which had attempted to seeedc.
Whothcr the territory within the limits of those
States should be hold rs conquered territory, I'M
der military authority emanating from tho, the Pres-
ton that presented itself for decision:
Now military governments, established for nm
indefinite period. would have offered no security
for the early suppression OF discomfort would
have divided the people into tho Yanquishers and
tho vanquished and would have envenomed ha-
tired, rather than have % restored l. affection: Once
was conceivable. They would have occasioned nh
| incalculablo and exhausting expense. Peaceful
emigration to and from that portion of the country
is one of the best means that can bo thought OF
for the restoration OF harmony and that emigra-
tion would have been prevented; for what cmi-
grant from abroad, what industrious citizen Mt
home, would place himself willingly under military
rule The chief persons who would have followed
in the train of the army would have been depen-
dents on the General Government or men who en-
pected profit from the miserics Of their erring
fcllow-citizens Tho powers of patronage and rule
which would have been exercised under the Presi-
dent, over a vast, and populous, and naturally
wealthy region, are greater than, unless under
extreme necessity, should bo willing to entrust
| to any one man they are such as, for myself,
could never unless on occasions of great enlor
gency, consent TO exercise Tho wilfui use of such
powers, if continued through period of years,
administration and tho liberties of the States
| which remained loyal.
Besides, the poll Of military rule over q con-
quercd territory would have implied that the States
whose inhabitants may have taken part in tho
rebellion had, by the act of those Inhabitants
ceased to exist But the true theory il, that all
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 or engage in lawful COM
merco with any foreign power. Tho States at
tempting to sccctlc placed themselves in q condi-
tion where their vitality was impaired, but not eX-
tinguishcd-thcir 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,
and, as practicable, resume the exercise of
all its functions. On this principle have acted,
and have gradually and quietly, and by almost i'm,
percoptible steps, sought to restore the rightful
energy of the General Government and OF the
States. 70 that end, Provisional Governors have
been appointed for the States, Conventions called,
Governors elected, Legislatures assembled, and
Senators and Representatives chosen to the Con-
the Courts of the United States, as far as could
be done, have been reopencd, 80 that the laws OF
the United States may be enforced through their
agency. The blockade has been removed and the
Custom-houses re-established in ports of entry,
30 that the revenue of the United States may be
collected. The Post Office Department renews
ment is thereby enabled to communicate prompt
ly with its officers and agents The courts bring
security to persons rs and property the opening Of
commerce the post Office renews the facilities
of social intercourse and of business. And is il
mot for the of ess
brings with it blessing to the States over which
they are extended 2 Is it not sure promise OF
harmony and renewed attachment to the Union
that, after all that has happened, the return OF
the General Government is known only as bene
fcence
know very we'll that this policy is attended
with risk that for its success it requires al
least the acquiesccnce of the States which it con
Germs that it implies an invitation to those
States, to resume their functions States of the
Union. But it is risk that must be taken in
the choice of difficulties, it is the smallest risk
and to diminish, and, if possible, to remove al
danger, I have felt it incumbent on me to asser
: one other power of the General Government-tht
a power OF pardon, AS no State can throw q de
don is exclusively vested in the Executive Govern
! ment OF the United States. In exercising tina
power, have taken every precaution to connec
force of the laws of tho United States, and I'm
qualified acknowledgment of the great socia
a change of condition iii regard to slavery which
has grown out Of the war.
The next step which have taken to restore the cor
stutiona relations Of the States has been nvitao
amnesty at the earliest epoch consistent with publ
Of all opinions, and the spirit of mutual conc
ton. All parties in the late terrible conflict must wor
together In harmony. It is not too much to aak in tn
y name of the whole people, that, the one sde IL
plan of restoration shall proceed In conformity with
Willingness cast the disorders Of the past into obi
yon and that the other the evidence OF sincerity
the future maintenance of the Union shall be oeyon
any doubt by the ratification of the proposed amen
ment to the Constitution, which provides for the abo
ton Of slavery forever within the limits Of our count
"a 80 long the adoption Of this amendment s delaye
long will doubt, and jealousy, and uncertainty
% mory Of the psst this 10 the measure which will mo
e certainly call population, and capital and security
those parts of the Union that need them most Indee
1t ia not too much to ask Of the States which
resuming their places in the family Of the Union,
give this pledge Of perpetual loyalty md peace Until
% not be forgotten. Tho adoption Of the amendment
10 unites us beyond all power Of disruption It heals
wound that is still imper fecty closed; 1t removes
the element which has 30 long perpeIed and d
ded the country; It makes of more united pc
ple renewed and strengthened bound more than ev
te to mutual affection and support.
ia The Amendment TO the Constitution being adopted,
f would remain for the gates whose have been
long In abeyance to resume their places in the I,
branches of the National Legislature and thereby
OF pete the work of restoration. Here 1t ts for you
nj lowcitizens Of the Senate and for felowczens
the House OF Representatives, to judge, each Of
Of the elections, returns and qualcao
Of Of your own members . .
nd Tho full assertion OF the powers Of the General Gt
ernment requires the holding Of Circuit Courts Of
United States within the districts where their author
S has been interrupted In the present posture OF
public affairs, strong objections have been urged to no
those cou ts in OF the States where the rebei
st has existed; and ascertaned, by inquiry that
Circuit Court Of the United States would not be HI
within the District Of Virginia during the autumn