Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-12-16

period OF years, would have endangered
the purity of the general administration
and the liberties of the States which re-
mained 10y al.
Besides, the policy of military rule over
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
ginning, null and void. The States can.
not 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 extipguished ed-their
functions suspended, but not destroyed.
. But If any State negecls or refuses to
perform its Offices, there is the more need
that the General Government should
maintain all its authority, and, as soon as
practicable, resume the exercie of all its
functions. On this principle l have acted,
and have gradually aud quietly, aud by
almost imerceptible steps sought to restore
the rightiul energy of the General Gov
erDment and of the States. To that end,
Provisional Governors have been appoint
ed for the States, Convention, called,
Governors elected, Legislatures assembled,
and Senators and Representatives chosen
10 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-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 establish
ed in ports oil entry, so that the
revenue OF the United States may be col
lected. The Post Office Department re-
news its ceaselcss activity, and the Gen =
eral Government is thereby enabled to
communicate promptly with its officers
and agents. The courts bring security to
persons and property; the opening of the
ports invites the restoration Of industry
and commerce the post Office renews tho
facilities Of social Intercourse and Of busi~
ues5.
And is it not happy for us all, that the
restoration of each one Of these function.
OF the General Government brings with il
+ blessing to the States over which they
are extended 1t is not sure a promise ol
e harmony and renewed attachment to the
Union that, after all that has happened
c the return of the General Government i
: known only as q beneticonce
= I know very well that this policy i
. attended with somc risk ; that for its sue
c cess it requires at least the acquiesceuc
II of the States which it concerns, that i
# implies an invitation to those States, b.
- renewing their allegiance to the Unite'
> Safes 10 resume their functions as State
r of the ,Tniou. Bat it is a risk that mus
;, be taken in choice Of difficulties it Is til
= smallest risk; and 10 diminish and, II pos
Il slble, to remove all dangers, have Eel
8 it ipcubent on me to assert oDe other pow
- er of the General G Goverament->the powe
= Of pardon.
c As no State can throw defence owe
= the crime of treason the power OF pardo
If is exclusively vested in the Execuav
Government of the United States. In eS
e ercislng that, power have taken ever
d precaution to connect it with the cleare'
i. recognition Of the binding force of the Law
lc of the United States and au unqualihe
lie acknowle dgemeDt of the great soei
lie change of condition in regard to SLAYER
n. which has grown oat OF the war
pc The next step which | have etaken to rt
id store the constitutional relations of II
l. States has been an inv, alton 10 them
le participate 10 the high Office of amendr
the Constitution. Every patriot must via
he for a general amnesty at the earliest epo'
be consistent with public safety. For I'll
We great end there is need Of a concurrence q
ad all opinions and the spirit oil mutual cor
r. cilatiop. All parties in the late terril
c. conflict must work together in harmony.
ot- 1t is not too much to ask in the name
h the whole people that on the one side, &
be plan of restoration shalt proceed IN COZ
a iormity with a willingness to cast the di
mt orders of the past iuto oblivlon; aud ii
rst Oh the other the evidence of c'ncerity
On. the future maiutenance OF the Union sh
for be put beyond any doubt by the ratlhcat
ed of the proposed amendment of tho Cons
of triton winch provides Tor the abolition
o. slavery forever within the limits OF
lu- country So long as the adoption OF
la- amendments delayed SO long will dou
nee aud jealousy and uncertainty prev
on. This is the measure which will efface
ud sad momory OF the past, this is the me
ex. ure which will most certainly call popu
lion ton and capital and security to those p
? is of the Union that need them most
ght Indeed it is not too much to ask OF
that States which are now resumiug their pi'
ed in the family of the Union to give
in. pledge of perpetual loyalty and pc
ace Until it is done the past however m
we may desire it will not be forgot
fol- The adoption of the amendment reuE
ave US beyond all power OF disruption.
,rn- heals the wound that is still impsrle
from closed it removes slavery the ele'
.eus. which has so long perplexed and div
hich the country it makes OF us once mo
Pres united people, renewed and strengthe
nat bound mare than ever to mutual atfe(
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