American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1865-12-16
SYNOPSIS OF THE
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate

united States, is my hrst duty 10 address
ing you.
He en- refers to the death OF Mr.. Lin
coin and pays an eloquent tribute to hi
memory.
In speaking OF the rebellion and the re
iation OF the States to the Government, b,
says 1t has power to enforce the laws, pun
ish treason and insure domestic tranquility
In the case of the usurpation of the Gov 'rn
ment of State or oligarchy. The Consti
tuition is our sheet-snchor, and the very
greatness Of our country should allay all
Tears OF an usurpation of 10 wer or encroach
ment by the General Government The
events Of the last four years, he hopes, has
established, forever, the fact that there is
no appeal force.
The maintenance Of the Union brings
with 1t the support Of the State Govern
ments in all of their rights; bnt no State
has the right to renounce its own place in
the Union, or utility the laws of the same
The largest liberty will be maintained in the
discussion OF the acts OF the Federal Gov.
ernment. but there is no appeal from it's
laws, save to the Government ITSELF or the
people who graut to the legislatures and
Executive but limited power, retaining
themselves the powers of redress The sov
rreignty OF the States is the language OF
the con 'ederacy aud not the language of
the Constitution.
The Constitution and laws of the United
States and the laws that s,all he made in
pursuance thereof. and all treaties made or
Which cha II ha do ,,,,I. ~
shall constitute the supreme law Of the land
and the Judges in every State shall he
hound th"reby, all State Constitutions or
laws TO the contrary Notwithstanding. The
United States Government IL limited one
and so Is that of the States.
He then refers to the condition Of the coun
try when he took bis seat as President, and
in speaking Of the great work of reconstruc.
ton. says that military governments rstab-
lished for an indefinite period in the States
lately in REBELLION would have offered no Sc
cnri'y for the early suppression Of discon.
tent, and would have only divided the peo-
Pile into the vanqushers and the vanquish.
ed, and would have envenomed hatred rath.
er than restored affection, and whuld have
entailed an incalculable and exhausting ex-
peose upon the country. Peaceful emigrs>
ton to and from that country is Que of the
hest means of restoring harmony. and emf
grafton would have been prevented; for
" hat emgraut from abroad or good citizen
at home wonld place himself willingly under
military rulei The chief followers of the
army would have been dependent on the
General Government, or men who expected
,ro6t from the miseres Of their erring fel.
o F-citizens The powers Of patronage
md rule which would have been exercised
Inder the President over vast and popu-
Gus, aud naturally wealthy region, are I
,reater than, unless under extreme necesi. q
y, should be willing to entrust to one c
nan, aud, ss for himself, he nev r could i
onsent TO exercise them unless on occasions e
{ great emergency. II continued through
period Of years they would have endan- o
cred the purity Of the general administra- d
ion and the liberties Of the States which b
,mained loyal under the policy of military d
ale over q conquered territory; would
ave implied that those States whose inhab Il
ants had taken part in the rebellion, had s
= the acts OF those Inhabitants, ceased to o,
list The true theory 10 that all pretend oil
acts of secession from the frst, were null &C
I'd void. States cannot commit treason, ol
,r can the individual who may have CON- de
tilted treason, make valid treaties. or en ct
Ige 10 lawful commerce with foreign pow le,
s. The States attempting TO secede have tn
aced themselves 10 Q condition where their
tslity was impaired, but not extinguisbed; rie