The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-06

II vitality In the event. Of any amendment to the
constitution the proposition Of Congress needs the con-
nrmaon OF States without States one great branch Of
the legislative government would be wanting And IL we
look beyond the letter of the constitution to the character
Of our country its capacity for comprehendng within
It's jurisdiction vast continental empire ia due to the
system Of Sates The best security for the perpetual
existence Of the States Is the supreme authority Of
the constitution OF the United States The perpetuity Of
the constitution brings with the perpetuity Of the
States; their mutual violation makes what are and
In our political system their connet.ioa IL ndissolube.
Tho whole without the parts tie parts
without the whole 20 long ~ the constitution OF the
United States end,res the States VII endure; the
destruction of the one the destruction Of the other
TIE preservation OF The is the preservation Of tho
other.
have thus explained mr. views Of Tho mutual rea-
lions Of the constitution and tho s.ates because they
unfold the principles which have sought solve the
momen.ons questions and overcome tho appalling diff.
cul'ies th't met at the very commencement OF my
administration y has been my steadfast object 70 escape
tom The sway OF mOmentary passions, and 10 derive
hearing policy from the fundamental and unchanging
principles Of the constitution.
found the States suffering nom the elects Of civil
var resistance to the general government appeared 70
have exhausted itself The United States had recovered
Of their forts and afsenals and their armies
were IN the occupation Of every State which had at
tempted 70 secede. Whether the territory within the
limits OF those States should be held conquered terri
tory under military authority enanaiing from the Pre-
s!dcnt the head OF the army was the first question
that presented itself for decision.
MILITARY GOvKRcNKrrs
Now, military governments, established FOR mn IN.
definite PERIOD would have offered security for the
early suppression Of dscop emit; would have divided the
people into the vanquishers end the vanqnished and
would have envenomed hatred rather than have restored
Affect on Once established, 10 precise limit to t."r
casioned ncalculabc ard eyhauss,nc expense
fu emigration to and from that portion Of the country
IS one OF the best means that be thought
Of for the restoration Of harmony; and that emgra-
ton would have been prevented; for what emgrant
frcn abroad, what industrious citizen ut homo,
would place himself willingly nnder military The
chief who would have followed the train
the army would have been dependents the general
government, or men who expected profit from the mis-
ronage and rule which would have been exercised under
the President, vast ard porulous and naturally
wealthy region are greater than unless under extreme
they are such as, for myself could never, unless
occasions Of great emcrgcncv consent TO exercise The
wilfn use OF such powrS " continued through ported
OF years. would have endang red the purity Of the
raj administration and The borses Of tho States viii h
remained loyal.
Besides the policy Of military rule over a conquered
territory would hav implied that tho States whose inhab
tants NAV have taken In the rebeh had by the
OF those Inhabitants ceased 10 exist But the tuc theory
a thet I'll pretended OF from the be-
ginning null and void. The States cannot commit trea-
son, tho individual cit;xcr who may have com
United treason, thar they make valid
or engage n lawful commerce" with any foreign Power
The States as'emrt'ng TO secee placed themselves
cond ton where the vitality impsred but extin
guished-ther functions suspsnded but DESTROYED
THE PTAN or RRCoxeYRUCrIOv.
h. acy 4 s ~. ~ I 20 M
should maintain all its an horv, and, prac
cable resume the exercise Of oil it, functions On this
and by almost mpercepble steps, sought restore the
rghtsui energy Of the general government and Of the
appointed fnr The states conventions called Govcrnor
elected Legislatures assembled and Senator's and Repre-
sen,aves chosen 70 the Congress Of the United States
Attho same time the OF the United States as far
Id be DONE have reOpened SO that tho laws OF
the United States may be enforced through their agency
TIE blockade has been removed and the custom houses
Of the United Statee may be- colectsd The Post Office
parmen renews its ceaseess r,vity, and the gene.
promptly with It's officers and agents Tho courts bring
security to persons and property tho opening OF the
ports invites the restoration o. industry and commerce.
the Post Office renewa tho facilities Of social
and OF business And IN not happy for all that tho
restoration Of each Of these functions Of the
government brings with blessing to the States over
which they extended Is IL II not sure promise OF
harmony and renewed attachment to the Union that
after all that has happened the return Of the general
government is known only "a bene6cence?
IT'S Diff UTTIE8 DANGER
know very well that this policy W attended with
acQuescence Of the States which Il concerns; that
implies nvi tation to hoae States by renewing their
as States Of the Union Put 1t Ia rick that must he
taken; in the choice of difficulties IL IL thu smallest risk
and to diminish, and II possible 70 remove all danger
have felt II incumbent on me to assert one other
power or tho general gov-rnment-the power Of
pardon Az no State can throw defence over the
crime Of treason the power Of pardon e exciu-
Unit statcs In exercising that power have taken
every preceutinn 70 connert with the cesres recogn
and unqualified cbporledgment Of the great socia
change Of condition IN Sard 70 slavery which has grown
rHs .xESpxKr ~ TN co~-rnu,fox AnsImmrc SLAVERY.
Tn, next step which have taken TO restore the con-
sutonai relations Of the States has an Invitation
constitution Every patriot must wish FOR general am
nesty At the earliest epoch consistent with public safety
For this great end there s need Of concurrence Of al
All parses in ne iste terrible conflict mus,
work together In harmony. Il not TOO much
The X: pa Of n
conformity With willingness 70 cast the disorders Of the
past INTO obvion and that on the othcr the svdsnee
b. pns beyond any Doubt BY the ttnoaen q che pro
posed amendment 70 the constitution which provides
20 s
Is delayed 80 long win doubt, and Jealousy and
taniy prevail This IL the MEASURE which VIII e6scs
will most certainly cali population, ana capital,
and security u those parts Of the Union thss
ask OF the States which now resumng their places IA
the family Of the linton 70 give this pledge Of perpetual
loyalty and peace. Until Ia DONE the past however
ton Of the amendment rcunts M beyond all power Of
dsrupon. II heals the wound that Il sill, impertecty
closed; Is removes slavery the element which has m
long pcrplexcd and divided tho country; Il makes us
once more united people, renewed and strengthened
DO md moro than over 70 mutual Affection and support
Tic amendment IN the constitution being adopt 3d. Il
would remain for tie Statos whose powers have
long In sbcyance. IN resume their places In Nc
branches OF the national Legislature and thereby
pctc the work Of restoration. Here II IL for you fellow
citizens OF the Senate and for you fellow citizens ~ the
Horse Of Representatives to judge each OF you for
yourselves II the eection returns and ALLEGATIONS Of
your own members.
TIE UNITED STATS T~rUrr oourTs ~ TINE sKcxDvD srAr1
The full assertion Of the powers Of tho general gov.
eminent req rcs the holding Of circuit courts OF the
United S,as within the districts where their authority
hns been rterrunted II the present posture OF our
rrht a'irs srons objections have bce urged 10 hold
ing those courts In any Of the States where the rebson
ha existed and IL sscertained bv inquiry that the
Circuit Co IT VI the United 4tates would NO, be held
within the District OF Virginia during the autumn or
early winter until Congress should have IAN ,ppor-
tunty a. consider and act the whole subiectn To
your deliberations the restoration of this bnanch OF
The civil authority Of the Unod states Ia
therefore necessarily referred, with thu hope
siai easiy provision will DO made for the
resumption Of all It's functions Il is manifest that trca-