Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-12-13

the General Government should maintain all
lts authority, and, as soon as practicable, re-
hsume the exercise of all its functions On
tins principal L have acted, and have gradu-
ally and quietly. and by almost impercepti-
bic steps. sought to restore the rightfnl en-
ergy of the General Government aud of the
States. lie that end, Provisional Govern
ors have beenappointed for the States, Con
ventlons called. Governors elected, Legisla-
t lures assembled, and Senators and Repre-
| sentatlyes chosen to the Congress of the I'm
tied States. At the same time, the Courts
OF the United States, as far as could be done,
have been re-opened, SO that the laws of the
/ United States may be enforced through
| their agency. The blockade has been re-
moved and the custom houses re-estalished
| In ports of entry, so that the revenue of the
| United States may be collected The Post
| Office Departmentrenewsi its ceaselesS activ-
| ity, and the General Government is thereby
enabled TO communicate promptly with Its
officers aud agents. The courts bring secu-
rity to persons and property the opening
OF the ports invites the restoration OF indus
| try aud commerce the poStoffice renewS the
! facilities OF social intercourse and business.
! And is it not happy for US all that the resto-
ration of each one CT thes functions of the
! General Government brings with it a bles-
| sing to the States over which they are ex-
tended? Is it not a sure promise OF har-
mony and renewed attachment TO the Union
that, after all that has happened, the return
of the General Government is known only
as "a benefcence?
1 know very well that this policy is atten-
ded with some risk; that for its success it
requires at least the acquescense of the
States which it concerns; that it implies an
invitation to those States. by renewing their
allegiance to the United States. to resume
their functions as States to the Union. But
it is a risk that must be taken; in the choice
OF difficulties, it Is the smallest risk aud to
diminish and, if possible, to remove all
danger, have felt il incumbent on me to
assert one other power of the General Gov
eTi ment-the power OF pardon. As no
i State can throw defence over the crime OF
treason. the power OF pardon is exclusively
| vested in the Executive Government of the
United States. La exercising that power, |
haze taken every precautIou to connect 1t
| with the clearest recognition of the binding
force of the laws Of the United States, and
an unqualified Acknowledgements Of the great
social change OF condition in regard to sa-
very which has grown out OF the war.
he next step which | have taken to re.
store the constitutional relations of the States
has been an invitation to them to partici-
pate in the high Office of amending the Con-
stitution. Every patriot must wish for a
general amnesty at the earliest epoch con-
| sistent with public safety. For this great
end there is need OF concurrence of all
opinions, and the spirit of mutual concilia-
ton. All parties in the late terrible con-
flict must work together in harmony. 1t is
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
| Il Willingness to cast the disorders of the
past into oblivion and that, on the other,
the evidence Of sincerity in the future main
tenance of the Union shall be put beyond
any doubt by the ratification Of the propos
ed amendment to the Constitution, which
provides for the abolition of slavery torey-
er within the limits OF our country. So long
as the adoption of this amendment is delay
cd, so long viii doubt and jea'ously, and
which win efface 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 Union that
need them most Indeed, it is not too much
to ask of the States which are now resuning
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 We may desire it, will not be forgot
ten The adoption of the amendment reu-
mites us beyond all power of disruption. lie
heals the wound that is still imperfectly
closed; it removes slavery, the element
which has so long perplexed and divided
4 the country it makes OF us once more uni
ted people, renewed and strengthened,
bound more than ever to mutual affection
and support.
The amendment to the constitution being
adopted it would remain for the States,
whose powers have been so long In abey-
ance, to resume their plans in the two bran
ches of the National Legislature, and there
by complete the work of restoration Here
it is for you, fellow citizens OF the Senate,
and for you, fellow-citizens of the House of
Representatives. to Judge, each of you for
yourselves, of the elections, 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 with
| In the districts where their authority has
been interrupted. In the present posture
of our public affairs, strong objections have
urged to holding those courts In any OF the
States where the rebellion has existed and
| it was ascertained by inquiry, that the Cir
cult Court of the United States would not
be held within the District of Virginia dur
ing the autumn or early winter, nor until
Congress should have ''an opportunity to
consider an act on the whole subject. 70
your deliberations the restoration of this
branch of the civil authority of the United
States Is threfore necessarily referred, with
the hope that early provision will be made
for the resumption of all its functions II
Is manifest that treason, most hagrant ~
character. has been committed. PERSONS
who are charged with Its commission sh9, ID
have fair and impartial trials in the highest