The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-12-12

pTScdull0l LC COuuSCb VIII tue ClcdESSt
!, recognition of the binding force of the
laws of the United States, and az unqual-
fled Acknowledgements Of the great social
= change of condition in regard to slavery
which has grown out of The war.
The next step which 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 a 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 mu-
tual Cancellation. 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, that, on the ore side.
plan of restoration shall proceed in con-
formity with willingness to cast the dis,
orders Of the past into oblivion and that,
on the other, the evidence of sincerity in
the future maintenance of the Union shall
be put beyond any doubt. By the ratifca-
ton of the proposed amendment to the
Constitution, which provides for the abol.
iton of slavery forever within the limits
of our country. So long as the adoption
of this amendment Is delayed,so long will
doubt, and Jealousy, and uncertainty pre-
vail. This is the measure which vii eface
the SAD memory of the past; this is the
measure which will most certainly call
population and capital and security to
those parts Of the Uuion 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
l.. We may desire it, will not be forgotten.-
The adoption Of the amendment reunites
T US beyond a power of disruption. It
heals the wound that is still imperfectly
closed it removes slavery, the element
which has SO long perphxed aud divided
, the country it makes Of Us once more a
united people, renewed and strengthened,
bouad more than ever to mutual affection
, and support.
, The amendment Of the Constitution be-
/ ing adopted, it would remain for the
, States, whose powers have been SO long
, in allegiance, to resame their places in The
two branches eff the Nation Legislature,
and thereby complete the work of resto-
ration. Here it is for you, fellow citizens
Of the Senate, and for, fellow-citizens Of
the House Of Representatives, to Judge,
each of you for yourselves, ,ofthe elections,
4, 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 interrupted. In the present
posture Of our public affairs, strong objec-
tons have been urged to holding those
courts in any of the States where the Re
, beI.ion has existed and it was ascertain
ed, 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
Congress should have can opportunity to
consider and act on the whole subject"
To your deliberations the restoration
: Of this branch of the civil authority of the
United States is therefore necessarily
{ referred, with the hope that early pro7i-
siou viii be made for the resumption Of
all It's functions. It is manifest that srea,
son, most fragrant in character, has been
{ committed. Persons who are charged
: with its commission should have fair and
: impartial trials in the highest civil tribu-
|. mails Of the country, in order that the Con-
stitution and the laws may be fully vim
: dicated; the truth clearly established and
; affirmed that treason is a crime, that
traitors should be punished and the oc-
: fence made Infamous; aud, at the same
time, that the question may be jujicially
settled fnally and forever, that no State
: Of its own will has the right to renounce
It's place in the Union.
The relations of the General Govern
ment towards the four millions of iuhab.
itants whom the war has called into free
dom has engaged my most serious con
: siderati0H. Ga the proprety of attempt
ing to make the freedmen electors by the
proclamation Of the Executive, I took for
: my counsel the Constitution itself, the
interpretations of that instrument by its
authors and their cotemporaries, and re-
cent legislation by Congress. When, at
: the first movement towards independence,
the Congress of the United States in
structed the several States to institute
? governments of their own, they left each
, State 70 decide for itself the conditions
, for the enjoyment ofthe elective franchise
During the period of the Confederacy
r there continued to exist a very great d.