The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-12-08

laCtS oil secession were, from Jne Dc-
ginning, null and void The States
cannot commit treason, any more
than they can make valid treaties or
engage in lawful commerce with any
foreign power. The States attempt
ing to secede, placed themselves in
condition where their vitality was
impaired, but not extinguished; their
functions suspended, but not destroy.
led.
But if any State neglccts or refuses
to perform its offices, there is the
more need that the General Govern.
ment should maintain all its authority
and, as soon as practicable, resume
the exercise of all its functions. On
this principle / have acted, and have
gradually and quietly, and by almost
,imperceptible steps, sought to res
tore the rightful energy of the Gen
'eral Government and OF the States.
To that end, Provisional Governors
have been appointed for the States,
Conventions called, Governors elect
ed, Legislatures assembled, and Sen
ators and Representatives chosen to
the Congress of the United States
At the same time, the Courts Of the
United States, as far rs could be
done, have been re opened, so that
the laws of the United States may he
enforced through their agency. The
blockade has been removed and the
custom houses re. established in ports
Of entry, so that the revenue o" the
United States may DC collected. The
postofllcc Department renews its
ceaselcss activity, and the General
Government is thereby enabled to
communicate promptly with its oill.
GERS and agents. The courts bring
security to persons and property I;
the opening of the ports invites the
restol alton of industry and com.
merce; the postoillce renews the fa-
cilities of social intercourse aud OF
business. And is it not happy for
us all, that the restoration of these
functions of the General Government
brings with it blessing to the States
over which they are extended? Is
it not a sure promise of harmony and
renewed attachment to the Union,
that after all that has happened,t the re.
turn of the general Government is
known only as bcncGcence?
know very well that this policy
is attended with some risk; that for
its success it requires at least the ac
quiesccnce of the States which it
concerns; that it implies an invita-
tion 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
t must be taken; in the choice of dill
( cultics, it is the smallest risk; and to
! diminish, and, ii possible, to remove
} all danger, have felt it incumbent
l on me to assert one other power OF
| the general Government-the power
!. of pardon. AS no State can throw ;
i defense over the crime of treason
!. the power of pardon is exclusively
IL vested in the Executive Govcrnmcn
V o; the United States. In cxercisin.
g that pow'r, have taken eve'yprecau
Il ton to connect it with the clcares
II recognition of the binding force O
II the laws of the United States, and a
1t unqualified acknowledgment of th
IS great social change of condition /
&C regard to slavery which has grow
, nc "S..cSstp "",e" "",, O.n,,
n to restore the constitutional relation
c Of the States, has been an Invitation
to them to participate in the hig
IF Office of amending the Constitution
/ Every patriot must wish for n genci
!. al amnesty at'the earliest epoch con
c sistcnt with public safety. For thi
). great end, there is need of concur
g renee Of all opinions, and the spiri
y of mutual conciliation. All partie
D. IN the late terrible conflict must wor
% together III harmony. 1t is not to
" much 10 ask, in the name of til
& whole people, that on one side, til
ID plan OF restoration shall proceed i
L. conformity with n willingness to CO,
the disorders of the past into ohliv
m on, and that, on the other, the ev
&c dence Of sincerity in the futul
,d maintenance of the Union shall |
I'd put beyond any doubt by the ratiilc
of ton OF the proposed amendment
ir the Constitution, which provides fC
- the abolition of slavery forever witt
& in the limits of this country.
in long as the adoption of this ament
PC ment is delayed, so long will doul
cr and jealousy, and uncertainty pr,
m vail. This is the measure which wi
he cilace the sad memory of the pas
at this is the measure which will mo.
certainly call population and capita
s. and security to those parts of I'll
I, Union which need them the most -
,r Indeed, it is not too much to ask tll
t; States which are now resuming the
- places in the family of the Union, t
1; give this pledge of perpetual loyalt
!, and peace. Until it is done, the pas
a. however much we may desire it, wi
% not be forgotten. The adoption {
- the amendment reunites us beyon
l. all power of disruption. 1t heal
= the wound that is still imperfect
1t closed; II removes slavery, the clC
&c ment which has so long perplexe
IF and divided the country; it make
d OF us once more a united people, rC
3 newed and strengthened, boun
n more than ever to mutual alfectio
1t and support,
y The amendment to the Constitu
: ton bcing'adopted, it would renal
e for the States whose powers hav
n been so long in allegiance, to resum