White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1865-12-14

enabled TO communicate promptly with
its officers and agents. The Courts bring
security TO persons and property; the
opening of-tbe ports invites the restora.
tion Of ministry and commerce; the post
office renews the fscilifies Of social inter-
course and business. And is itsnot hap
py for Us oil that the restoration Of each
one Of these functions Of the Gene, sl
Governmspt brings with il a blessing to
the States over which they are extended
Is it not o sure promise Of harmony and
renewed attachment to the Union that.
after all tha. has happened. the return oil
the General Government is known only
as bere6cence
/ know very well that this policy is at
tended with some risk; that for its sue.
cess il requires at lenst the acqniescenes
of the States which it concerns that il
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 a risk that must
be taken; in the choice of difficulties. j,
is the smallest risk; aud to todiminish. and
il possible to remove all danger. have
felt it incumb bent on me to assert one 9th
er power of the General Government
the power of pardon. As no State can
throw defense over the crime OF treason,
tbs power of pardon is exclusively vested
in the Executive Government Of the Uni
ted States. In exercising that power,
have taken every precaution to connect i,
with the clearest recognition of the bind,
ing force OF the laws of the United States,
and an unqualified acknowledgment Of
the great social change Of condition in
regsrd to slavery, which has grown out
of the war. 1 -
The next step which l 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 patriot must
wish for general amnesty at the earliest
epoch consistent with public safety. For
this great end there is need of concur
renee of all opinions. and the spirit OF
mutnal conciliation. All parties in the
late terrible conflict must work together
in harmony. It,is not too much to ask.
in the name of the whole people, thst. on
the one side, the plan of restoration shall
proceed in conformity with Willingness
to cast thn disorders of the past into OBJ
livion: and that. on the other, the evi.
dencs of sincerity in the future maiute-
nance of tbs Union shslt be pnt beyond
any doubt by the ratification Of the pro.
posed amendment to the Constitution,
which provides for the abalition OF slave
ry forever within the limits OF our coun-
try. So long as the adoption of this
amendment is delayed. so long will lonbt.
and jealousy, and uncertainty prevail
This is the measure which will most GER
tainly call population. ana capital. and
security to those parts of the Unien 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 and peace. Until it is done, the
past. however much we may desire it.
will not be forgotten. The adoption Of
the amendment re unites us beyond all
power Of disruption. 1t heals the wound
that is still i'm perfectly closed: it removes
slavery, the element which has so long
perplexed and divided the country; it
makes OF us once more a united people.
renewed and strength hcnel, bound more
than ever to mutual affection and sup
port. ,u"Ea
The amendment to the Constitution be-
ing adopted, it would remain for the
States whose powers have been so long
in allegiance. to resume their places in the
two branches Of the National Legislature,
and thereby complete the work of rcsto-
ration. Here it is for you. fellow citizens
Of the Senate. and for you, fellow. citizens
of The House of Representatives. to Judge,
each of you for yourselves. OF the elec-
tions. returns. and qualifications of your
ewn members.
The full assertion Of the powers of the
General Government requires the holding
OF Circuit Courts of the United Statea
within the districts where their authority
has been interrupted. In the present pos
tnre OF our public affairs. strong objec,
tions have been urged to holding ihose
Courts in any of those States where the
rebellion has existed; snd it was ascer
tanned. by inquiry, that the Circuit Court
Of the United States would not be held
within the District of Virginia during the
Autumn or early Winter. nor until Con
gress should have "an opportunity to
consider and act on the whole subject"
10 your deliberations the restoration OF
this branch OF the civil authority of the
United States is therefore necessarily re
feIred, with tae hope that early provision
will be made for the resumption of all
its functions. 1t is manifest that treason,
most fsgrant in character. has been COM
mitted. Persons who are charged with
its commission should have fair and i'm
partial trials in the highest civil tribunals
OF the country. in order thst the Consti-
'ution and the laws may be fully vindica-
tel; the truth clearly established and af-
hrmed that treason is q crime, that trait
ors shon'd he punished. and the offence
made Infamous; and. at the same time,
that the question may be judicially set
tied. finally and forever. that no State of
its own will has ii. right to renouncs its
place in the Union
The relations of the General Govern.
ment towards the fonr millions Of inbab-
i'ants whom the war has called into free.
ioIm. have engaged my most serious con-
'ideration. On the propriety of attempt
np to make the freod m on alacto,S hv ,ha