The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-12-07

D u
called, Governors elected, Legislatures
assembled, and Senators and Repre-
sentatives chosen to tho Congress of
the United States. AT the same time,
the Courts of the United States, as far
as could be done, have been re-opeued
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 iu
ports of entry, SO that the revenue Of
the United States may be collected
The Post Office Department renews
its ceaselcss activity, and the General
Government is thereby enabled to
communicate promptly with its officers
and agents. The courts being securi-
ty to persons and property; the open.
ing of the ports invites the restoration
of industry and commerce; the post
office renews the facilities of social in
tercourse and Of business. And is it
not happy for US all, that the restora.
ton of each one OF these functions of
the General Government brings with
lit blessing to the Estates over which
they are extended? Is it not sure
promise of harmony and renewed at.
tachmeDt to the Union that, after all
that has happened, the return of the
Governments known only as benifi.
cence. ,.u-s.iI 1-' ..' 81
| know very we'll that this policy is
attended with some risk; that for its
success it requires at least the acqui-
escence OF the States which it concerns;
that it implies an Invitation to those
States, by renewing their allegiance to
the United States, to resume theirfunc-
tions as States Of the Union. But it is
risk that must be takeD in the choice
of difficulties, it is the smallest risk;
and to diminish, and, if possible, to re-
movo oil danger, l have felt it incum-
bent on me to assert one other power
OF the General Government-th pow
er of pardon. As no State can throw
defence over the crime of treason,
the power of pardon is exclusively
vested in the executive Government of
the United States. In exercising that
power, l havo taken every precaution
to connect it with the clearest recogni-
tion of the binding force of the laws of
the United States, and an unqualified
Acknowledgements of tho great social
change of condition in regard to slave.
ry which has grown out of the war.
The noxt 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 general amnes.
ty at the earliest epoch consistent with
|pnblic safety. For this end there
is great need Of q concurrence of all
opinions, and the spirit of mutual con-
ciliation. All parties in the late terri
BILE conflict must work together in har-
mony. 1t is not too much TO ask, in
the name ofthe whole people, that, on
the one side, the plan of restoration
shall proceed in conformity with will.
lingness to cost the disorders of the
past into oblivion; and that, on the
other, the evidence of sincerity in the
future maintenance ofthe Union shall
be put beyond any doubt by tho rati.
fication of the proposed amendment to
the Constitution, which provides for
the abolition ofelavery 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 efface the sad memory oc tho past;
this is tho measure which will most
certainly call population, and capital.
and security to those parts Of the Un.
ion that need them most. Indeed, it
is not too much to ask tho States which
are now resuming their places in the
family of the Union to give this pledge
OF perpetual loyalty and peace. I'm
till is done, the past, however much
we may desire it, will not be forgotten.
The adoption of the amendment reu. |
mites us beyond all power of disrup.
tion. 1t heals the wound that is still |
imperfectly closed; it removes slavery
the element which has SO long perplex.
ed and divided the country; it makes
OF us once more aunited people, encw |
cd and strengthened, bound more than
ever to mutual affection and support.
The amendment to tho Constitution
being adopted, it would remain for the
States, whose powers have been so long |
in abeyance, to resume their places
in the two branches Of the National
Legislature, and thereby complete the
work ofrestoration. Here it is for
you, fcllow-citizens of the Senate, and
for you, fellow. citizens of the House
OF Representatives, to Judge, each of
you, for yourselves, of the elections,
returns, and qualifications of your own
members. '
The full assertion of the powers of
tho General Government requires the
holding Circuit Courts Of the United
States within tho districts where their
has been interrupted, In
the present posture, Of public affairs,
strong objections'bave been urged to
holding those courts in any of the
States where the rebellion has existed:
and it was ascertained, by inquiry,
that the Circuit Court of the United
States would not be held within the
District of Virginia during the autumn
or eally winter, nor until Congress
should have ian opportunity to con.
slider and act on the whole subject"
To your deliberations tho restoration
Of this branch of the civil authority of