Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-07

C0ustltut0n, tke proposition OF Congress
peeds the contirmatiop of States. With
out States, one great branch of the legis.
lative government would be wanting. And,
1T We look beyond the letter of the Con-
stitution to the character Of our country, its
capacity for comprehending within its juris.
diction a vast continental empire ia due to
the system of States. The best security for
the perpetual existence of the States is the
supreme authority Of the Consultation of
the United States. The perpetuity OF the
Constitution brings with it the perpetuity
OF the States; their mutual relation makes
US what We are, and in our political system
their connection is indissolube The whole
cannot exist without the parts, nor the
PARTS without the whole. So long as the
Constitution Of the United States enduros,
the States will endure; the destruction of the
one is the destruction OF the other; the
preservation Of the one is the preservation
of the other.
have thus explained my views of the
mutual relations of the Constitution and the
States. because they unfold the principles on
which have sought to solve the moment.
ous questions and overcome the appalling
difficulties that met me at the very com
mencement of my administration. II has
been my steadfast object to escape from the
sway of momentary, passions, and to derive
healing policy from tho fundamental and
unchanRing principles of the Constitution.
L found the States suffering from the eff
| fect3 of civil war. Resistance to the Cen
eral Government appeared to have exhaust
ed itself The United States had recovered
possession of their forts and arsenals and
their armies were in the occupation Of every
State which had attempted to secede
Whether the territory within the limits Of
those States should be held as conquered
territory. under military authority emana-
ting fiom the President at the head of the
army. was the first question that presented
itself for decision.
Now, military governments, established
for an indefinite period, would have afforded
no security for the early suppression of
discomfort; would have divided the people
into the vanqnishers and the vanquished !;
and would have envpnomed hate, rather
than have restored affection. Once estab-
lshed, no precise limit to their continuance
| is conceivable. They would have occasoned
en- incalcuable and exhausting expense.
! Peaceful emigration to and from that por-
tion Of the country is one Of the best
means that can be thought of for the restor.
alton of harmony; and that emigration
wonld have been prevented; for what emf.
grant from abroad, what industrious citizen
al Eome, would willingly place himself un-
der military rule? The chief persons who
would have followed in the train of the army
would have been dependents on the Gener.
al Government, or men who expected profit
from the miserics of their erring fellow citi-
z}ns. The powers of patronage and rule
which would have been exercised. under the
President, over vast and populous, and
naturally wealthy region. are greater than,
unless under extreme necessity, would he
willing to entrust to one man; they are such
as for myself, could never, unless on occa-
sions of great emergency, consent to exercise
The wiIlful use Of such powers, if continued
through period of years, would have en-
dangered the purity of the general admins
tration and tho liberties of the States which
remained loyal.
Besides, the policy of military rule over
a conquered territory would have impled
that the States whose inhabitants NAV have
taken part in tho rebellion, had, by the act
of those inhabitants, ceased to exist But
the true theory is. that all pretended acts
OF secession were, from the beginning. null
and void. The States cannot commit trea-
son, nor screen the individual citizens who
have committed treason, any more than
| 'hNN thh "dhC VT CUEhHt III
lawful commerce with any foreign Power
The States attempting to secede placed
| themselves in condition where their vital
ity was IMPAIRED. but not extinQuished-
their functions suspended, but not destroy
ed.
But IT any State neglects or refuses to
perform its offices, there Ia the more need
that the General Government should main.
tain all it's authority, and ns soon as practi-
clble, resume the.exe O sc Of all its functions
On this principle | have acted and have
gradually and quietly. and by almost i'm
perceptible steps. sought to restore the
rightful energy of Il . General Government
and Of the States, TO that end, Provision.
al Governors have been appointed for the
States, Conventions called, Governors elect
ed. Legislatures assembled, and Senators
and Representatives chosen to the Congress
OF the United States At the same time,
the Courts of the United States, as far as
could be done. have been re-op"ned, 80 that
the laws of the United States may be en-.
forced through their agency. The block
ade has been removed. and the Custom
Houses re-establishod in norts of entry, so
that the revenue of the United States may
be collected The Pestoffice Department
renews its csaseless activity and the Gen.
eral Government is thereby enabled to com
municate promptly with its officers and
agents. The Courts bring security to per
sons and property; the opening Of the ports
invites the restoration of industry and com
merce the Postoffice rcnewS the facilities
OF socia, intercourse and Of business. And
is it not happy for us ALL that the restora.
ton OF each one Of these functions of the
Gensral Government brings with it bles.
sing to the States over which they are ex-
tended? Is it not sure promise Of har.
mony and renewed attachment to the Union
that, after all that has happened, the re-
turn of the General Government is known
only as a beneficence
know very we'll that this policy is at.
tended with some risk; that for its success
i requires at: least the acquiesccnce of the
States which II concerns thu it implies an
invitation to those States. nv renewing
their allegiance to the United States, to re-
sumo their functions AZ States ofthe Union.
But 1t is risk that must be taken in the
choice OF diih aulties, it Is the smallest risk;
and to diminish, and, if possible, to remove
ali danger have felt it incumbent ON me
TO assert one other power of tho General
Government-the power of pardon. Asno
State can throw defense over the crime of
treason, the power Of pardon is exclusively
Vested in tho Executive Government of the
United States. la exercising that power,
have taken every precaution TO connect il
with the CleaFesL recnpnition of tho h;nd;o,.