The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-12-14

its officers aud agents. The courts
bring security to persons and property
the opening Of the ports invites the
restoration of industry and commerce.
the postofice 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 Govern ment brings. with
it a blessing to the States over which
they are extended? Is il not sure
promise Of harmony aud renewed at.
tachment to the Union that, after all
that has happened, the return of the
General Government is known only asa
benehcence : ...
l know very well that this policy IS
attended with some risk that fer its
success II requires at least the acqnies-
cence Of the States which it concerns
that it implies an invitation to those
States, by renewing their allegiance TO
the United States, to resume their
functions as States of the Union. But
it is risk that must be taken iu the
choice of difficulties it is the smallest
risk; and to diminish, and, if possible,
to remove all danger, have felt it in
cumbent on me to assert one other pow
or of the General Government-th
power of pardon. As no State can
throw a defence over the crime of
treason, the power Of pardon is exclu.
sively vested in the Executive Govern
ment Of the United States. In exer.
cising that power, I have taken every
precaution to connect it with the clear
est recognition Of the binding force of
the laws Of the United States, and an
unqualified acknowledgment Of the
great social change of condition in re-
gard 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 pe.
triot must wish for general amnesty
at the earliest epoch consistent with
public safety. For this great end there
is need Of concurrence of all opinions,
and the spirit OF mutual Cancellation.
All parties in the late terrible conflict
must work together in harmony. Itis
not too much to ask, in the name of the
whole people, that on the one side, the
plan of restoration shall proceed in con-
formity with a willingness to cast the
disorders of the past into oblivion and
that, on the other, the evidence Of sim
cerity in the future maintenance of the
!, Union shall be put beyond any doubt
by liberalization of the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution, which pro.
vides for the abolition of slavery forever
within the limitec of our country. SO
long as the adoption of this amendment
is delayed, so long will doubt and jeal-
ousy, and uncertainty prevail. This is
the measure which will efface the sad
memory of the past this is the m MEASURE
which will most certainly call popula-
ton, and capital, and security to those
parts of the Union that need them most.
Indeed, it is not too much to ask of the
States which are now resuming their
places in the family of the Union to
give this pledge of perpetual loyalty
aud peace. Until it is done; the past,
however much we may desire it, will
not be forgotten. The adoption of the
amendmeOtreunites us beyond all pow
er of disruptiOn: 1t heals the wound
that is still imperfectly closed it re.
moves slavery, the element which has so
long perplexed aud divided the country;
it makes of US once more united psO-
8 pie, renewed and strengthened, bound
0 more than ever to mutual Affection and
t tEsupport. noe NON eE'5u is9llu'E cdr
The amendment to the Constitution
: being adopted, it would remain for the
States whose powers have been SO long
: in abeyanoe, to- resume their places in
: the two branches of the National Legis-
% lature, and thereby complete the work
i of restoration. Here it is for you, fell
J, lOw-oitizens of the Senate, and for you,
> fellow eitlssns Of the House Of Repre-
IS sentatiVes, to jalge, each of yoh for
% yourselves, d of the elections, returns,
J. and diauaiidostiOns Of your own members.
TO- Of The full assertion Of the powers of
10 the General Government requires the
IS holding of Circuit Courts Of the Vnit.
10 ed States within the districts where
y their authority has been inturrupted,-
10 In the, posture of our public affairs
s. strong objections have been urged to
Of holding those Courts in any Of the States
ID where the rebellion. has existed, and Il
's was ascertainsd By inquiry that the qir
y, cult Court Of the, United States wOpl'
~ not be held within the District Of Vir