Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-12-06

the OLaLeS, because tney unfold the pr1nci-
pies on which 1 have sought to solve the
momentous questions and overcome the
appalling difficulties that met me at the
very commencement of my administra-
ton. 1t has been my steadfast object to
escape from the sway of momentary pas
sions, and to derive a healing policy from
the fundamental and u~nchanging princi-
Piles of the Constitution.
THE ALTERNATIVE PRESENTED FOR DE-
CIsIoN.
I found the States suffering from the
effects of a civil war. Resistance to the
General Government appeared to have ex-
hausted itself. The United States had
recovered possession of their forts and
arsenals; and their armies were in the
occupation of every State which had at
tempted to secede. Whether the terri
tory within the limits ofthose States should
be held as conquered territory, under mil
itary authority emanating from the Presi-
dent as the head of the army, was the first
question that presented itself for decision.
THE EVILS OF MILITARY GOVERNMENT.
Now, military governments, established
for an indefinite period, would have offered
no security for the early suppression of
discomfort; would have divided the peo-
pie into the vanquishers and the van
quished; and would have envenomed
hatred, rather than have restored affection.
Once established, no precise limit to their
was conceivable. They
would have occasioned an i~ncalculable
and exhausting expense. Peaceful emil
grafton to and from that portion of the
country is one of the best means that can
be thought of for the restoration of har-
mony; and that emigration would have
been prevented for what emigrant from
abroad, what Industrious citizen at home,
would place himself willingly under mill
tary rule? The chief persons who would
have followed in the train of the army
would have been dependents on the GEN
eral Government, or men who expected
profit from the miseries of their erring
fellow-citizens. The powers of patronage
and rule which would have been exercised,
under the President, over a vast, and
populous. and naturally wealthy region,
are greater than, unless under extreme ne
cessity, L should be willing to entrust to
any n man they are such as, for my
self, L could never, unless on occasions of
great emergency, consent to exercise. The
wilful use of such powers, if continued
through a period of years, would have en-
dangered the purity of the general adj
ministration and the liberties of the States
which remained loyal.
THE STATES STILL IN THE UNION.
Besides, the policy of military rule over
a conquered territory would have implied
that the States whose inhabitants may
have taken part in the rebellion had, by
the act of those inhabitants, ceased to ex-
ist. But the true theory is, that all pre-
tended acts of secession were, from the be-
null and void. The States can
commit treason, nor screen the indi-
vidual citizens who may have committed
treason, any more than they can make
valid treaties or engage in lawful COM
merce with any foreign power. The
States attempting to secede placed them
selves in a condition where their vitality
was impaired, but not extinguished-their
functions suspended, but not destroyed.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
But if any State neglects or refuses to
perform its offices, there is the more reed
the General Government should
maintain all its authority, and, as soon as
practicable, resume the exercise of all its
functions. On this principle l have acted,
and have gradually and quietly, and by
almost imperceptible steps sought to re-
store the rightful energy of the General
Government and of the States. To that
end, Provisional Governors have been
appointed for the States, conventions call
ed, Governors elected, Legislatures assem-
bled, 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 reOpened, so that the laws of
United States may be enforced through
agency. The blockade has been re-
moved and the custom-houses re-estab-
lished in ports Of entry, 20 that the rev.
enue of the United States may be collect
ed. The Post Office Department renews
its ceaseless activity, and the General
Government is thereby enabled to COM
municate promptly with its officers and
The courts bring security to per-
sons and property; the opening of the
ports invites the restoration of industry
and commerce; the post Office renews the
facilities of social intercourse and of BUSH
ness. And is it not happy for us all, that
the restoration of each one of these func-
lions of the General Government brings
with it a blessing to the States over which
are extended? Is it not a sure prom
SO of harmony and renewed attachment
% the Union that, after all that has hap
1ened, the return ofthe General Govern
nent is known only as a beneieence2
THE PARDoNING POWER.
I know very well that this policy is at
ended with some risk; that for its sue
it requires at least the acquiescence of
he State which it concerns; that it i'm
lilies an invitation to those States, by re-
their allegiance to the United
'tates, to resume their functions as States
f the Union. But it is a risk that must
e taken; in the choice of difficulties, it is
he smallest risk and to diminish, and, if
.ossible, to remove all danger, l have felt
incumbent on me to assert one other
over of the General Government-the
over of pardon. As no State can throw
defence over the crime of treason, the
over of pardon is exclusively vested in
Executive Government of the United
In exercising that power, 1 have
AIKEN every preeaution to connect it with
be c~learest recognition of the binding
orce of the laws of the United States, and
n unqualified acknowledgment of the
reat social change of condition in regard
, slavery which has grown out of the
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
The next step which 1 have taken to
the constitutional relations of the
tates, has been an invitation to them to
Anticipate in the high office of amending
re Constitution. Every patriot
lust wish for q general amnesty at the
lrliest epoch consistent with public safe
=. For this great end there is need of a
occurrence of all opinions, and the
brit of mutual Cancellation. All parties
the late terrible conflict must work to-
ether in harmony. 1t is not too much to
tx, in the name of the whole people,
on the one side, the plan of restora-
on shall proceed in conformity with a
illingness to cast the disorders of l
le past into oblivion; and that, on the |
her, the evidence of sincerity in the I
Iture maintenance of the Union shall {
, put beyond any doubt by the ratifca-
on of the proposed amendment to the 8
constitution, which provides for the abo- i,
ton of slavery forever within the limits
our country. So long as the adoption G
this amendment is delayed, SO long {
illdoubt and jealousy and uncertaintypre-
Ill. This is the measure which will eff |
ce the sad memory of the past this is J
e measure which will most certainly !
IL population, and capital, and security i