The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-13

lieS uECdtos AO OOuito
persons and property, the opening OF the
ports invites the restoration of industry
|and commerce; the post Office renews the
facilities of social intercourse and OF bu-
siness. And is it not happy for us all,
that the restoration of each one of these
functions of the General Government
brings with it blessing to the States
over which they are extended ? LIS 1t
not sure promise of harmony and renew
ed attachment to the Union that, after all
that has happened, the return of the
General Government is. known only as
benifcence
/ know very well that this policy is at
tended with some risk; that for its sue
cess it requires at least the acquiescence
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; in the choice of difficulties tits
the smallest risk; and to diminish, and il
possible, to remove all danger, have
felt it incumbent on me to assert one
other power of the General Government
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 Uni
ted States. In exercising that power,
thave taken every precaution to connect
1T with the clearest recognition of the
binding force Of the laws of the United
/ United States, and an unqualified acknowl
Judgement of the great social change oi
condition in regard to slavery which has
grown out of the war.
The next step which l have taken tt
} restore the Constitutional relations of tht
} States, has been an invitation to them II
} participate in the high office of amending
J the Constitution. Every patriot mus
, wish for general amnesty at the earlies
. epoch consistent with public safety. Fo
this great end there is need of concur
renee of all opinions, and the spirit o
, mutual Cancellation. All parties in tn
late terrible conflict must work togethe
in harmony. It is not too much to ask
! in the name of the whole people, that, ol
/; the one side, the plan of restoration shall
proceed in conformity with willingness
to cast the disorders of the past into OBJ
, livion; and that, on the other, the evidenc
of sincerity in the future maintenance o
the Union shall be put beyond any doub
, by the ratification of the proposed amend
, ment to the Constitution, which provide
; for the abolition Of slavery forever with
in the limits of our country. So long a
} the adoption of this amendment is de
I layed, SO long will doubt, and jealousy
! and uncertainty prevail This is tn
, measure which will eface the sad memor,
Of the past; this is the measure which vii
> most certainly call population, and capi
e tai, and security to those parts of tn
: Union that need them most. Indeed,
| is not too much to ask of the States whicl
are now resuming their places in the fam
lily of the Union to give this pledge 0
: perpetual loyalty ard peace. Until it
: done, the past, however much we may de
$ sire it, will not be forgotten. The adop
!, tion Of the amendment reunites us beyon
a all power of disruption. 1t heals tn
S wound that is still imperfectly closed,
r removes slavery, the element whichs ha
SO long perplexed and divided the cddn
] try; it makes of US once more unite
: people, renewed aud strengthened, boun
: more than ever to mutual affection an
j support.
ell The amendment to the Constitution be
j ing adopted, it would remain for tn
i. States, whose powers have been SO lon
r in obeyance, to resume their places in tn
d two branches ofsthe National Legislature
: and thereby complete the work of restc
n ration. Here it is for you, fellow cit
y zens of the Senate, and for you, fello'
o citizens of the House of Representative
: to judge, each of you for yourselves, c
q the elections, returns, and qualification
/, of your own members.
u The full assertion of the powers of th
= General Government requires the holdin
of Circuit Courts of the United State
= within the districts where their authorit
: has been interrupted. In the preser
posture of our public affairs, strong OF
g iections have been urged to holding thos
: courts in any of the States where the re
: bellion has existed; and it was ascertainet
!, by inquiry, that the Circuit Court of th
: United States would not be held with
: the district of Virginia during autumn c
o early winter, nor until Congress shoul
r have Gan opportunity to consider and az
$ on the whole subject" To your delibt
!. rations the restoration of this branch {
: the civil authority Of the United State
d is, therefore, necessarily referred, with th
: hope that early provision will be mad
e for the resumption of all its functions
1t is manifest that treason, most fagrar
e in character, has been committed. PEI
e sons who are charged with its commissio
s should have fair. and impartial trials
|, the highest. civil tribunals Of the cour
o try, in order that the Constitution an
Il the laws may be fully vindicated; th
e truth clearly established and!afirmed thi
$ treason is a crime, that traitors should /
i punished and the offense made infamou
d and, at the same time, that the questio
e may be judicially settled, finally and fol
i lever, that no State of its own will h;
e the right to renounce its place in tn
d Union.
II The relations of the General Govern
q lment toward the four millions of inhab
J tants whom the war has called into fre,
dom, have engaged my most serious col
o oisideratlon. On the propriety of attemp
d ing to make the freedmen electors by tt
i proclamation Of the Executive, I too
oi f,r - =, ao,,neal t1a cal