The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-12-15

liy,and the General Government Is thereby
enabled to communicate promptly with ia
officers and agenis. Tho courts bring sccu.
ri,y to persons and property; tho opening
of tho ports invites tho restoration OF indus.
try aud commerce; the post.offico reDews
tho facilities Of social intercourse and OF bus.
incss. Aud is 1t not happy for us all, that
the restoration of each one of these func.
tiops Of tho General Government brings
with IL blessing to tho States over which
they are extended: Is il not a suro prom.
iso of harmony and removed attachment to
the Union that, after all that has happened
tho return Of the General Government Ia
known only as bcneGcenoe:
know very we'll that this policy is attend.
cd with some risk; that for its success II 70.
quires at least tho acquioseDce of the States
which II concerns; that Il implies an invita-
ton to those States, by removing their oil.
legisnce to tho United States, to resume
thoir functions as States of tho Union. Blu,
ID is q risk that must be taken; in the choice
OF difficulties IL is tho smallest risk; and to
diminish, aud, if possible, to remoye oil
danger, havo felt il incumbent on mo to as.
cert ono other power of the General Gov
ernment-tho power OF pardon. As nc
State can throw defense over the crime OF
treason, the power Of pardon is exclusively
vested in the Executive Government of the
United States, Iu exercising that power,
have taken prccautioh to connect il with
tho cearest recognition Of tho binding force
of tho laws of tho United States, and an un.
qualified acknowledgement of tho great co.
cal change of condition in regard to slavery
which has grown out Of tho war.
The next step which have takon TO te
store the constitutional relations of tn,
States, has been an Invitation to thom &c
participate iu tho bigh cflieo Of amending
tho Constitution. Every patriot must wish
for general amnesty at the earliest epoch
consistent with public safety. For this
great end there is need of concurrence ol
all opinions, and tho spirit Of mutual conciIi
alton. All parties in the late terrible con.
fiict must work together in harmony. Iii,
not too much to ask, in the namo of the
whole people, that on tho one side the plan
of restoration shall proceed in conformity
with n willingness to cast tho disorders oi
the past into oblivion; and that, on the
other, the evidence of sincerity in the future
maintenance of tho Union shall DO put be
yond any doubt by the ratification of the
proposed amcndmcnt to tho Constitution
which provides for tho abolition of slavery
forever within the limits of our country. Sc
long ns the adoption of this amendment il
delayed, 30 long will doubt aud jealousy aud
uncertainty prevail. This is the measure
which will cffacc tho sod memory of the
past; this is tho measure which win mos
certainly call population and capital, ens
security to those parts of tho Union tha'
need them most. Indeod,it is not too mucl
to ask OF the States which are now resumipe
their places in the family of the Union so
giyo this pledge of perpetual loyalty aud
peace. Until it is dono, the past, however
much VIC may desiro il, will not be forgotten
Tho adoption Of the amendment reuntes
us beyond all power of disruption. 1t heals
the wound that is still imperfectly closed
il removes slavery, the element which has
30 long perplexed and divided tho country
it mnkes of us once moro united people
renewed and strengthened, bound more
than ovor to mutual affection and support
Tho pmendment to the Constitution being
adopted, it would remain for the States
whose powers have been 90 long in allegiance
to resume their places in tho two branches
of the National Legislature and thereby
complete tho work of restoration. Here il
is for you, follow citizens of the Senate, and
for you, fellow. citizens of the House of Rep.
resontatives, to judge, each of you for your.
solves of tho elections, returns, and qualif.
cations CT your own members.
The full assertion of tho powers OF the
Gonoral Government requires tho holding
of Circuit Courts OF tho United States with.
in the districts where thoir authority has
beon Interrupted. In the present posture
of our public affairs, strong objections have
been urged to holding those Courts in any
of the States where tho rebellion has exist
cd; and it was nscertained by inquiry tha,
the Circuit Court of the Unitod States
would not be hold within tho District oi
Virginia during tho autumn or early winter
nor until Congress should have "an oppor.
tunity to consider and act on tho whole
subject" To your deliberations tho restor
alton of this branch of tho civil authority oi
the United States is therefore necessarily
referred, with the hope that carly provision
will bo made for the resumption of all its
functions. 1t is manifest that treason, mos
fragrant in character, has been committed
Persons who arc charged with it's commits
tho highest civil tribunals of tho country, in
order that tho Constitution and tho laws
may be fully vindicated; the truth clearly
established and affirmed that treason is q
crime. that traitors shonld be punished, and
the offeuBe made Infamous; and at tho same
time, that the question may bo judicially
settled, finally and forever. that no State Of
its own will has the right to renounce iti
place in the Union.
The relations of tho General GoverDmen,
toward the four millions of inhabitants
whom the war has called into freedom, have
engaged my most serious consideration.
On the propriety of attempting to make The
freedmen electors by the proclamation Of
the Executive, l took for my counsel the
Constitution itself, the interpretations Of
that instrument by its authors and thoii