The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-06

whole cannot exist without the parts, nor the
parts without the whole. So long - the
Constitution of the United States endures, thu
States will endure the destruction Of the one
is the destruction Of the other; the preseFva-
ton of the one is the preservation of the
other. ~
have thus explained my views of the mu.
tual relations of the Constitution and the
States, because they unfold the principles on
which have sought to solve the momentous
questions and overcome the appalling diff
calties that met me at the very commence
ment of my administration. 1t has been my
steadfast object to escape from the sway OF
neutrality-suspicious., and to derive healing
policy from the fundamental and unchanging
principles of the Constitution. found the
States suffering from the effects Of a civil war.
Resistance to the General Government APP
peared TO have exhausted itself. The United
States have recovered possession of their forts
and arsenals, and their armies were in the
occupation of every State which had attemp-
ted to secede. Whether the territory within
the limits of those States should be held as
conquered territory, under military authority
emanating from the President as the head OF
the army, was the first question that presen'
ted itself for decision. Now a military Govern
ment established for an indefinite period,
would have offered no security for the early
suppression of discomfort, would have divided
the people into the vanquishers and the van.
uuished, and would have envenomed hatred
rather than restored affection. Once establi'
shed no precise limit to their continuance,
was conceivable and they would have occa'
stoned an iucalculablc and eAhausting
expense.
Peaceful emigration to and from that por-
ton Of the country is one of the best means
that can be thought of for the restoration oil
harmony, aud that emigration would have
been prevented. for what emigrant from
abroad, what industrious citizen Mt home,
would place himself willingly under military
rule? The chief persons who would have
followed in the train of the army would have
been dependents on the General Government,
or men who expected profit from the mserie-
of their fellow citizens The powers of pat
ronage and rnle which would have been ex.
ercised under the President over vast and
populous and naturally wealthy region. are
greater than, unless under extreme necessity,
| should be willing to entrust to any one man.
They are such as, for myself, | could never,
unless on occasions OF great emergency, con
sent to exercise. The wilful use of such
powers, il continued through a period Of
years, would have endangered the purity Of
the general administration and Liberties OF the
States which remained loyal. Besides, the
policy of military rule over conquered ter
ntory would have implied that the States
whose Inhabitants may have taken part IN the
rebellion had, by the act of those inhabitants
ceased to exist; but the true theory Is, thai
all acts of secession were from the begin
ming null and void. The States cannot
commit treason or secession. The invdidua
citizens who may have committed treason,
cannot commit secession any more
than they can make valid treaties OF
engage in lawful commerce with any for
eign powers. The States attempting to seeede
placed themselves in a condition where theil
vitality was impaired, but not extinguished
their functions suspended but not destroyed,
Bat II any State neglects or refuses to perform
its offices, there is more need that the Gene
raj Government should maintain all IL
authority, and as soon a. practicable resume
the exercise of all its functions. On thsprin-
ciple have acted and have gradually and
quietly, aud by almost imperceptible step:
sought to restore the righttu! energy uf the
General Government and of the States, Io
that end provisional governors have been
appointed for the States, conventions chilled,
governors elected. legislatures assembled and
Senators and Representatives chosen 10 the
Congress OF the niied States Al the same
time the courts of the United States. as far "a.
could be done. have been re-opened 80 that
the laws of the United States may be enforced
through their agency.
The blockade has been removed, and the
custom houses re-established in ports Of en-
- .hat the revenue ~ Tho United States
may be collected.
The PoStoiiice Department resumes il,
ceaselesS activity, and the General Govern
ment is thereby enabled TO communicate
promptly with its officers and agents.
The Courts bring security to persons and
property. The opening of the Courts invite
the restoration of industry and commerce.
The Postofice restores the facilities of social
Intercourse and Of business. Is it not happy
for Us all that the restoration Of each of these
functions OF the General Government brings
with 1t a blessing to the States over which
they are extended? Is ituot a sure promise
OF harmony and renewed attachment TO the
Union, that, after all that has happened the
return 10 the General Government is only
known as a benehcence | know yery
well that this policy is attended with
some risk; that for its success it re-
qnires at least the concurrence of the States
which IT concerns that il implies an invita-.
ton to those States. by renewing their allie.
gWee to the Cnted States. to resume their
functions as States of the Union but it is a
risk that must be'taken. In the choice of diff.
hcultles, II Is the smallest risk. and to di.
minlsh. and il possible, to remove all danger
/ have feit 1t incumbent on me to assert no
other power OF the General Government than
the power OF pardon. AS no State can throw
defence over the crime of treason. the now.
er OF pardon is exclusively vested in the Elk.
ecutiye Government of the United States
In exercising that power have taken every
preeaution to connect 1t with the clearest re-
cognition of the binding force of the laws OF
the United States, and an unqualified &C.
knowledgement of the great social change oil
condition IN regard to slavery which has
grown ont of the war
The next step which | have taken 10
restore the Constitutional relations of the
States has been an invitation 10 them IN
participate in the high office of amend.
ing the Constitution. Every patriot must
wish tor general amnesty at the earliest
epoch consistent with public safety For this
great end there is need of concurrence of
all opinions, aud the spirit of mutual concili-
alton. All parties in the late terrible conflict
must work together in harmony. Ii is not
too much TO ask In the name of the whole
people that on the one side the plan OF
restoration shall proceed in conformity
with Willingness TO cast the disorders of the
past into oblivion, and that on the other the
evidence OF sincerity in the future maintain
ance OF the Union shall be put bevond any
doubt by the ratification of the nronosed
amendment to the Constitution. which nro-
vides for the abolition OF slavery forever