Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-12-14

Germs; that it implies an invitation to
those States, by renewing their ale
glance to the United States, to re-
sumo their functions az States of the
Union. But it is risk that must be
taken; in the choice of difficulties il
is the smallest risk; and to diminish,
and, if possible, to remove all dan
ger, have felt it incumbent on me
to assert one other power of the
General Goyefnment-the power Of
pardon. AS no State can throw
defense over the crime of treason,
the power of pardon is exclusively
vested in the Executive Government
of the United States. In excercis-
ing that power, have taken every
precaution to connect it with the
clearest recognition of the binding
force of the laws of the United States,
and an unqualified acknowledgment
OF the great sociai change of condi-
ton in regard to slavery which has
On the Constitutional Amend
ment" the message gives no uncer-
tain sound There is no doubt left
in the mind of the reader, that the
adoption of this measure will be
urged on the Southern States, as i'm
peratiyely necessary. The Presi-
dent says: 30. -..
The next step which / have taken
to restore the constitutional relations
Of the States, has been an invitation
to them to participate in the in the
high Office of amending the Consti-
tuition Every patriot 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 conciliation. All
parties in the late terrible conflict
must work together in harmony. 1t
is not too much to ask, in the name
of the whole people, that on the one
side, the plan of restoration shall
proceed in conformity with willing
ness to cast the disorders of the past
into oblivion; and that, on the other,
the evidence of sincerity in the IA
lure maintenance of the UnioTshsll
be put beyond any doubt by the rati
ficstioni Of the proposed amendment
TO the Constitution, which provides
for the abolition of slavery forever
within the limits Of our country. So
long as the adoption OF this amend
ment is delayed, s6 longswill doubt
and jealousy. and uncertainty pre-
vail. This is the measure which
will efface the cad 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 is not 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
and peace Until it is done, the past,
however much we may desire 1t, will
not be forgotten. The adoption of
the amendment reunites US beyond
all power of disruption 1t heals
the wound that is still imperfectly
closed; it removes slavery, the ele-
ment which has so long perplexed
and divided the country; it makes OF
us once more q united people, re
newed and strengthened, hound more
than ever to mutual affection and
support. ..- -.... ... .-....
The amendment to the Constitu
ton being adopted. it would remain
for the States whose powers have
been so long in allegiance. to resume
their places in the two branches oi
the National Legislature, and there
by complete the work of restoration
| Here it is for you, fellow citizens OF
the Senate, and for you, fellow citi-
zens of the House of Representa-
u tives, to Judge, each of you foryour.
selves, of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of your own members.
The full assertion of the powers
of the General Government requires
the holding of Circuit Courts of the
United States within the districts
where their authority has been inter
rupted In the present posture oil
our public affairs, strong objections
, have beel urged to holding those
Courts in any of the States where
the rebellion has existed; and il wal
ascertained by inquiry that the Cir
cult Court of the United States would
/ not be held in the District of Vir
; ginia during the autumn or early
winter. nor until Congress shoulc
have ''an opportunity to consider anc
: act on the whole subject" To you
: deliberations the restoration of thii
branch of the civil authority Of th'
) limited States is therefore necessarily
2, referred, with the hope that earl,
/. provision will be made for the re
) sumption of all it's functions. 1t il
: manifest that treason, most fagran
: in character, has been committed
, Persons who are charged with il
commission should have fair and i'm
partial trials in the highest ciyi
: tribunals of the country, in orde
; that the Constitution and the law
5 NAV be fully vindicated; the trutl
clearly established and affirmed tha
t treason Is crime, that traitor
: should be punished, and the offcns
/, made Infamous; and, at the sam,