Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-05

held as conquered territory, under military
authority emanatng from the President as the
head OF the army, wac the first question that
presented itself for decision.
Now, military governments established for
an tndefini-e period, would have offered no
security for the early suppression Of discomfort;
would have divided IN people into vanquishers
and the yanquished; and would have enven-
omed hatred, rather than have restored afec-
tCn. Once established, NO precise limit TO
their continuance was conceivable. They
would have occasioned an fncalculable and
exhausting expense. Peaceful emigration to
and from that portion OF the country is one of
The best means that can be thought OF for the
restoration OF harmony; and that emigration
would have been prevented; for whatemigrant
from sbroad, what industrious citizen as
home. wouln place himself willingly under
military rulel
The chief persons who would have follow
ed in the train of the army would have been
dependents on the General Government, or
men who expected profit from the miseries of
their erTtng teIlow-citiZens. The powers of pa
tronage and rule which would have been ex-
ercised, under the President, over q vast, and
popUlous, 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, un-
less on occasions Of great emergency. consent
TO exercise. The wilful use of such powers, if
continued through period of years, would
have endangered the purity of the general ad-
ministraton and the liberty of the States which
remained loyaI
Besides the policy of military rule over a
the States whose inhabitants may have taken
part in the rebellion had, by the act OF those
Inhabitants, ceased TO exist. But the true
theory is, that all pretended acts of secession
Were, from the beginning, null and void. The
States cannot commit treason, nor screen the
individual citizens who may commit treason,
any more than they can make valid treaties or
engage in lawful commerce with any foreign
Power. The States attempting to secede placed
themselves in condition where their vitality
YVES impaired. but not extinguished-their
functions sUEDeuGed, hut not DESTROYED
But il sny state neglects to perform Its off,
ces, there is the more need that the General
Government should maintain all its authority,
and as soon as practicable, resume the eI.
ercises OF all its functions. O. This principle
i have acted, and have gradually and quietly,
Gs.o2s ths Isbfn Of me 70
ernment and OF the STATES. To that end, Pro-
visional 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 re-
opened, that the laws of the United States
may be enforced through their agency. The
blockade has been removed and the custom
no ses re-established in ports of entry. so that
the revenue Of the United States may be col
lected. The Post Office Department renews
its ceaseless activity, and the General Govern
ment thereby enabled to communicate
promptly with its officers and agents.
The courts bring security to persons and
properly. me opening OF lne ports invites tue
restoration OF industry and commerce; the post
Office renews the facilities of social intercourse
and of business. And is it not happy for rs
all, that the restoration Of each one of these
functions of the General Government brings
with II n blessing 10 the States over which they
are extended Is II not sure promise of har-
mony and renewed attachment TO the Union
that. after all thai has happened, the return of
the General Government is known only as a
beneficenee
know very well that this policy is attended,
a. .rsal~ 4-r
at least the acquiscence of the States which it
concerns; that il implies an invitation TO those
States, by renewing their allegiance to the
United States, to Tpsums their functions as
States of the Union. But it is 4 risk that must
be taken. III the choice Of difficulties, If is the
smallest risk; and TO diminish, and, ifpOssible,
10 remove all danger, have felt u incumbent
on me TO assert one other power ofthe General
GCyerLment-the power of pardon.
As no State can throw q defence over the
crime Of treason, the power of parlOn Is PXclU-
s!yely yestt in the Executive Govern gent Ot
the United States. In exercising that power, 1
have taken every precau, ion to connect il wit
the cleaTest recognition OF the binding force of
the laws Of the United States, aud an unquali-
fed acknowledgment OF the great social change
OF condition IN regard 10 slavery which has
grown cut Of the var.
The next step which have taken to restore
the constitutional relations of the States, has
been an invitation IL Them TO participate in the
high office Of amending the Constitution
Every patriot must wish for a general amnesty
ct the earl.Cs epoch consistent with public
safety. For this great end there is need OF n
concurrence OF all opinions, and the spirit OF
mutual Cancellation. All parties in the late
terrible conflict must work together in har-
mOny.
1t is not too much 70 ask, in the name OF the
whole people, that, oE the one side, the plan of
restoration shall proceed IN conformity with a
Willingness 10 cast the disorders of the past
into oblivion; and that on the other, the evil
denCe of sinceritp in the future maintenance of
the Union shall be put beyond any doubt by
the ratification OF the proposed amendment TO
the Constitution, which provides for the abO-
lItlon OF slavery forever within the limits of
our country. So long as the adoption of this
amendment is delayed, so long will doubt, and
jealousy, and Uncertainty prevail.
This is the measure which will effacP the
sad memory of the past: thIs Is the measure
which will most certainly call population, and
capital, and security to those parts OF the Union
that need them most. Indeed, it's not roo much
TO ask Of the States which are now resuming
their places IL the family Of the Union to give
mis- pledge OF perpetual loyalty and peace
Until it is done, the past, however much we
may desire IL, VIII not be forgotten.
The adoption of the amendment reunites us
beyond all power of disruption. IL heals the
wound that is still imperfectly closed: it re-
moves slavery, the element which has so long
perple1e and divided the country: il makes
Of Gs once more united people, renewed and
strengthened, bound more than ever 10 mutu-
81 affection and support.
The amendment TO the Constitution being
adopted, 1t would remain for the States, whose
powers have been so long in abeyauce, 70 re-
sumo their places In the two branches OF the
National Legislature, and thereby compIets
the work OF restoration. Here II Is for you,
fellow citizens Of the Senate, and for you,
fellow. citizens of the House of Representa-
tives, 10 jusge, each OF you for yourselves of
the elections returns, and qualifications OF
Jour own members.
The full assertion OF the powers OF the Gen.
eral Government req uITes the holding of Dir
cult Courts Of the United States within the dis
Iicts where their authority has been inter-
rUpted. In the present posture of our public
affairs, strong Objections have been urged 10
holding those courts in any OF the States where
tie rebellion has existed; and IL was ascPr-
famed, by inquiry, that the Circuit Court OF
the United States wo1ld not be held within
the District of VireiDia during the autumn or
early winter, nor until Congress should have
IAN opportunity TO consider and act on the
" hole subject"
To yCur deliberations the restoration of this
branch OF the civil authority of the United
States IL thCresore necessarily referred, with
the hope that early provision will be made for
the resumption OF all its functions. II is man.
fleet that treason, most fagrant in character,
Las teen committed. PeriOns who are charged
Wifh lis commission should have fair and i'm
partial trials in the highest civil tribunals Of
The country, in OrGer that the Constitution and