Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-12-16


in harmony. 1t 10 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 a willingness
to cast the disorders Of the past into Oh.
livioo aud that. on the other. the evil
dence Of sincerity in the failure mainten-
snce Of the Union shall be put beyond
any doubt BY the ratification Of tn. pro.
posed amendment to the constitution.
which provides for tho abolition Of slavery
forever within The limits Of our country.
So long as the adoption of this amend
ment Is delayed, so long will doubt, and
Jealousy aud uncertainty prevail. This i.
toe measure which will efface the sad
memory Of the past this is the measure
which will most certainly call population,
and capital, and security Of thos. part.
Of the Union that need them most. In
deed, it 10 not too much to ask Of the
States which are nov resuminR their pla-
ces 10 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 no. be forgotten.-
The adoption Of the amendment reunitcs
Us beyond all power Of disruption. 1t
heals the wound that is still imperfectly
closed; it removes slavery, the element
which has so long perplsxed and divided
the country; it makes of US once moro
united people, renewed and strengthened.
bound more than ever to mutual affection
and support.
WHAT THEN REMAINS FOR THE STATES.
The amendment to the constitution be-
ing adopted, it would remain for the
States, whose powers have been so long
III allegiance, to resume their places in the
two branches Of the natio nal legislature,
and thereby complete the work Of restor-
alton. Here it is for you, felow-ci,izens
Of the house Of resentatives, to Judge.
each of you for yourselves, Of the cleo.
tons, returns and qualifications of your
own members.
RESTORATION OF UNITED STATES COURTS
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 interrupted. In the present
posture Of our public affairs, strong objcc.
lions have been urged 10 holding those
courts in any Of the states where b. re.
bel'ion has existed; and it was aseer-
tanned, by inquiry, .ha. the circui. cour,
Of the United States would no, be held
within the dis,ric. Of Virginia during the
autumn or early winter, nor until con-
sress should have an ''opportunity to con
cider an act on the whole subject t.
your deliberations the restoration Of this
branch Of the civil authority of the Uni
ted States is therefore necessarily referred,
with the hope that early provision will
be made for the snmpti.n Of all its
func tons.
TRAITORS MUST De TRIED AND PUNISHED.
it 10 manifest that treason, mos. tia.
grant in character, has been committed.
Persons who are charged with its COM
mission should have fair and impartial
trials in the hish hest civil tribunals Of the
country, in order that the constitution
and the laws may be fully vindicated tho
truth clerly established aud affirmed ,ha.
treason is a crime, that traitors should be
punished and the offence made infamous
and at the same time, that the question
may be judicially settled, finally and for
ever, that no State of its own will has
the right to rsnouncs ito place 10 the
Union.
MEN.
The relations Of the general govern
ment toward the four millions Of inhsbi-
tants whom the war has called into freed.
men, have engaged my mos. serious con.
sideration. On the proprie,y Of attempt.
ing to make tho freedmen electors by the
proclamation Of the executive, l took for
my counsel the constitution itself, tho IN
depreciation Of tina. instrument BY ito au-
.hors and their contemporaries, and re-
cent legislation BY congress. Whom, At
the FIRST movement toward independence,
the congress Of the United States instruc.
ted the several States to institute govern
ments Of their own, they left each State to
decide for itself the condit ions for the en-.
joymsnt Of the elective franchise. Dur.
ing the period of the confederacy, there
continued to exist a very great diversity
in the qualifications Of electors in the
several States and even within State
distinction of qualifications prevailed with
regard to the Offices who we're to be cho-
sen. The cons.tu,iou Of the United
States recognizes these diversities when i.
enjoins that, in the choice Of members Of
the house Of Recommendation nf thu unitod