The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

We received the Presidents message last
evening, and give below an extract from it.
The first part Of the message is taken up with
a discussion of the right of secession, and
resume of the condition of the country when
the President entered upon the discharge of
his duties. But the message is, strictly speak
ing, for the North and West, and not the
South. 1t is true, this was not the wish Of
President johnson, but our representatives
having been excluded from participation in
the deliberations of Congress, mere comment
on our part avails but little:
RECONSTRUCTION.
But if any state neglects or refuses to per-
form its Offices, there is the more need that
the General Government should maintain all
its authority, and, as soon as practicable, re-
sumo the exercise of all it's functions On
this principle | have acted, and have gradu-
ally and quietly and by almost imperceptible
steps, sought to restore the rightful energy of
the General Government and of the States
To that end, Provisional Governors have been
appointed for the States, Conventions called,
Governors elected, Legislatures assembled and
Senators and Representatives chosen to the
Congress of the United States At the same
time, the Courts of the United States, as far
| as could 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-established
in ports of entry, so that the revenue of the
United States may be collected. The Post
Office Department renews its ceaseless activi-
10 fhn IL L
enabled to communicate promptly with its
officers and agents The courts bring security
to persons 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
it not happy for us all, that the restoration of
each one of these functions of the General
Government brings with it blessing to the
States over which they are extended2 Is it
not a sure promise of harmony and renewed
attachment to the Union, that, after all that
has happened, the return of the General Go
vernment is known only as benefcence?
knew very well that this policy is attend
cd with some risk that for its success it re-
quires at least the aequiescence of the States
which itconcerns.; that it implies an invitation
to those States, by renewing their allegiance
to the United States, to resume their functions
as States to the Union. But it is a risk that
must be taken in the choice of difficulties, it
is the smallest ; and to diminish, and if pos
sible, to remove all danger, have felt it in
cumbent on me to assert one other power of
the General Governmsnt-the power of par
don. As no State can throw defence over
the crime of treason, the power of pardon is |
exclusively vested in the Executive Govern
moi fof thn Init Gfaka r.
that power, have taken every precaution to
connect it with the clearest recognition of the |
binding force of the United States, and un- |
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 constitutional relations of the States has
been an invitation to them to participate in |
the high office of amending the Constitution.
Every patriot must wish for a general amnes-
ty at the earliest epoch consistent with public |
safety. For this great end there is need of a
concurrence of all opinions, and the spirit of
mutual Cancellation. All parties in the late
ny. 1t is not too much to ask, in the name
plan of restoration shall proceed in conformi-
he past into Oblivion and that, on the other,
The evidences of sincerity in the future main-
enanee of the Union shall be put beyond any
loubt by the ratification of the proposed a.
nendment to the Constitution, which provides
or the abolition of slavery forever within the
limits of our country. So long as the adop-
ion of this amendment is delayed, SO long
viii doubt and jealousy, and uncertainty pre-
all This is the measure which will efface