Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

a " the grief of the nation at the death Of his.
nw,.decessor - by the hand Of an assassin, after
f. had lived to enjoy the highest proof Of the
nst;on's confidence BY an election to renewed
srm aa,, sc Office, and after he had brought the
nsr substantially toa close He refers to the
wsirht of cares which then devolved upon
n,m. and hopes to merit and receive the sup
nnrt mort and confidence Of the people by a frank
Statement Of the principles which will guide
The conduct Of his administration. He speaks
# the wisdom Of the trainers Of the Constitu-
tion in adapting it to the great purposes OF
repubican government 1t sustalns within
tself ample resources for It's own preservation. .
The harassing fears that many patriots have
suffered of an absorption of State governments
by the general government, or that the States
Wo11ld break away from their orbits should be
,layed by the very greatness of our country.
He exn|ains his views of the mutual relations
of the Government and the States. and says
this government Of the United States is
limited government, and States with proper
limitations of power. are essential to the exis-
tence Of the Constitution Of the United States.
After the closing Of hostilities, the first ques-
ion that presented itself for his decision was,
whether the territory within the limits OF the
recovered States shouldsbe held as conquered
territory, under military authority emanating
from the President as the head Of the army.
He opposed the policy of military rule, for
various reasons The true theory is, that all
pretended acts of secession were from the be-
gpnisg. null and void If any State neglects
orrefuses to perform It's offices, there is the
more need that the general government should
maintain all it's authority, aud as soon as
practicable, resume the exercises Of all it's
functions, which, happily for US all, brings
With it a tlessing to the States over which
they are extended. He mas felt it necessary
to assert one other power IF the general gov
ernment, the power OF pardon, cOnnccjed with
the clearest recognition OF the binding force Ct
the laws of the United States, and ill acknov
lelgement of the change in regacd to sI4geEy
The next step, which be says re has taken TO
restore the constitutional relations Of tae
States has been an inviia alton to them to pare
cipate in the high office Of amending the
Constitutions The adoption Of the proposed
amendment re-unites US beyond all power OF
disruption. It will efface the sad memory OF
the past. and bind US more than ever to mutu-
alaffection and support. Every patriot must
wish for general amnesty at the earliest
epoch consistent with the public good. For
this great end there IS need ofa concurrence
of all opinious and spirit OF mutual concllla-
ton. The amendment to the constitution
bang adopted, it would remain Tor the States
whose powers have been SO long IL allegiance
toresume their places Ia the two branches OF
the national legislature, and thereby complete
the work Of restoration. Here, says the
PRESIDENT. 1T is foryou, feiIoW-cltizenS Of the
Senate and House Of Representatives, 10 judge
each Tor yourselves, ofthe election returns and
nequallfcatioEs OF your o'fn members
lie refers to the unwllllngness OF the Chief
justice to hold term Of the UnIted States
Circuit Court in Richmond, until Congress
Should have an opportunity to consider and act
On the whole suhjec5' He hopes that Con
sfess may make an early provision 1or tue re-
sumption of ali its judicial functions Persons
Charged with treason should have tar and I'M
partial trials in the highest CIVIL tribunals OF
ne country The truth should be affirmed,
mat treason is a crime, and traitors should De
punished, and the offence made infamous, ana
nat the question should De judlclally settled
saat no State has the right OF Its own VIII 70
'e94ounce its place in the Union.
In relation to the question OF extending the
lght Of suffrage to the freedmen emanclpated
" the war, and Of necessity to the tree colored
aaen IN all the States Of the Union, the Presl-
e vent expresses his we'll known views and policy
y y leterring it to the several States. He says
4 !: may prove that colored men will receive the
atllad(lest \ usage from some Of those on whom
1paey have heretofore most closely depended..,-
n1ot while he has no doubt that now, after the
soSe Of the war, it is not competent for gen
Slal government to extend the elective franchise
~ the several States, it is equally clear that
Sood faith requires the security Of the freedmen
= lnelr liberty and their property, their right