Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-12-20

! taken every precaution to connect it with til
clearest recognition of the binding force G
the laws of The United States, and an unqual
| lied Acknowledgement of the, great socia
change of condition inregard 10 slavery whicl
has grown out Of the,war. :
TbeSnext step which [ have taken to re
store the constitutional relations ofthe States
has been an invitation to them to participat,
in the high Office of amending the Constitu
tion. Every patriot must wish for genera
amnesty at.the earliest epoch consistent will
public safety. For this great end there j.
I need of concurrence of all opinions, anc
the spirit of mutual Cancellation. All partie:
in the late terrible conflict must work togeth
erin harmony. It's not too much to ask in
the name of the whole people, that on the
one side, the plan of restoration shall pro-
ceed in conformity with willingness to cast
the disorders of the past into oblivion ;sand
that on the other, the evidence Of sincerity
in the future maintenance ofthe Union shall
be put beyond any doubt by the ratification
of the proposed amendment to the Constitu-
ton, which provides for the abolition of sla-
very forever within the limits Of cur country.
So long as the adoption of this amendment
lis delayed; so long will doubt and Jealousy,
and uncertainty prevail. This is the meas
ure which will efiace 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, tbs not too much
10 ask the States which are new resuming
their places in the family CT 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 forgotten.
The adoption Of the amendment re-unltes US
beyond all Ipoweref disruption. 1t heals the
wound that is still imperfectly closed it re-
moves slavery, the clement which has SO long
perplexed and divided the country;'it makes
Of us once more united people, renewed
aud strengthened, bound more than ever to
mutual affection ard support
The amendment to the Constitution being
adopted. it would remain for the. States, whose
powers have been so long in allegiance, to re-
So me their places in the two branches Of tile
National Legislature, and thereby complete
the work of restoration. Here it is for you,
fellow citizens of the Senate, and for you,
of the House of Representa-.
tires to judge, each cf you for yourselves, of
the elections, returns, and notifications of
ycnr 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.
In the present posture of our
public affairs. strong objections have been
urged to holding those courts in any of tic
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 during
the autumn or early winter, nor until Con-
gress should have San opportunity to consid-
or aud act on the whole subject" To your
deliberations the restoration of this branch
Of the civil authority of the United States is
therefore mace ssari rr.af.as,al,
that early provision will be.Inade. for the rc- 1
Cf all its functions. 1t is manifest
that treason, most fragrant in character, has
been committed. Persons who are charged
with this commission should have fair and
Impartial trials in tue highest civil tribunals
of the country, in order that tue Constltu-
tion and the laws may be fully vindicated
the truth clearly established and atSrred
thst treason is'a crime, that traitors should
Bc punished and the offence made Infamous,
and, at the same time, that the question may
be juiicially set led, finally and forever that
no State OF its own will has the right to re.
nounce its place in the Union.
The relations of the General Government
towards the four millions Of inhabitanis'whom
the war has called into freedom, have cngas-
ed my most serious Consideration. On the
propriety Of attempting to make the freed
men electors by the proclamation of the Ex
ecutiVe, ] took for my counsel the Con$titu-
tioniitself, the interpretations Of that instru
meat by its authors and their contempora
ries, and recent legislation By Congress.
When, at the first movement towards inde-
pendence. the Congress of the United States
Instructed the several States to institute gov
ernments of their own, they left csch State
to decide for itself the conditions for the en-
ioynent of the elective franchise: During the
period of the Confederacy, there continued TO
exist very great diversity in the qualilica
tions of electors in the several States; and
even within o State a distinction ofqualifica-
tons prevailed with regard to the officers
who were to be chosen. The Constitution Of
the United States recognizes these diversities
when it enioins that, in the choice Of meal.
bers of the House of Representatives Of the
United States, "the electors in each State
shall have thequali6catious requisite for cleo
tors of the most numerous branch Of the
State Legislature" After the formation of
the Constitution, itremained, it as before, the
uni.orn usage for each State TO enlarge the
bodY Of its electors, according to its own
and under this system, one State
alter another has. proceeded to increase the
number OF its electors, until now universal
suffrage, or something very near it, is the
general rule. So fixed was this reservation.
OF power in the habits ofthe people, and so
uuouestioned has been the Interpretation Of
the Constitution, that during the civil war
tue late President never harborcd the. pur-
pose-certainly never avowed the purpose
Of fdisregardingit; and in the acts. Of Con.
gress, during That PERIOD. nothing can be
found which, during the continuance Of hos:
tiTities,. much less after their close, would
have sactioned any departure By the Execu-
tive from policy which has so uniformly OBJ
tanned. Moreover, o concession Of the cleo