The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-07
JACKSON, MISS, SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER g. 1866

the On1eO StaIeS may De enforced
through their agency; the blockade has
been removed, and the Custom houses
reinstated in ports of entry, so that the
revenues of the United States may be
collected the post Office Department re
news its ceaseless activity and the Genes
raj Government is thereby enabled 10
communicate promtly with its officers
and agents. The courts brings securely
to persons and property, the opening OF
ports invite restoration of industry and
commerce, the posoffice renews the facili
ties of social intercourse and of business,
and is it not happy for all that the resto-
ration of each one of these functions OF
the General Government brings with it
blessing to the States over which they
are extended? Is it not a sure promise
of harmony and renewed attachment to
the Uniou that after all that has hap~
pened the returns of the General Gov
eminent is known only as benifcience
| know very we'll that this policy is
attended with some risk; that for its
success it requires at least the acquies-
ence 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
of the Union but it is risk that must
be taken 10 the choice of dlttic dlties. 1t
is the smallest risk and to diminish, and,
if possible, to remove all danger. l have
felt it incumbent on me to assert one or
other power of the General Government
the power of parden-as no State can
throw defense over the crime of treason.
The power of pardon is exclusively
vested in the Executive Government of
the United States. In exercising that
l. L.
connect it with the clearest recognition
OF the binding force of the laws OF the
United States, and unqualified acknowl~
edgment of the great social change of
condition in regard TO slavery. which has
grown out of the war.
The next step which I have taken to
restore the Constitutional relations of
the States, has been an invitation to
them to participate in the high Office of
amendment to the Constitution. Every
patriot must wish for general amnesty
at the earliest epoch consistent with pub
lie safety. For this great end, there is
need of concurrence of all opinions
and the spirit of mutual Cancellation in
harmony. 1t is not too much to ask, in
the name of the whole people, that, on
the one side, the plan OF restoration shall
pIOCcO0 III Will
to cast the di order OF the past into OBJ
ivion, and that, on the other, evidence
OF sincerity in the future main tonance OF
the Union shall be pur hey III Douot,
10y The satisfaction OF the propose amend
ment to the Constitution, which pro-
vides for the abolition of slavery forever
within the limits OF our country. So
long as the adoption of this amendment
is delayed, so long will doubt and Jeal-
ousy and uncertainty prevail. This is
the measure which will ettace the sad
memory of the past. This is the meas
ure which will most certainly call popu-
lation and capital and security to those
parts of the Union that needs the N most.
Indeed, it is not too much to ask of the
States which are now Iesumlng their
places in the family of the Union, to
give this pledge of perpetual loyalty and
peace. Until it is done, the past, how
ever much we may desire it, will not be
be forgotten. The adoption of the
amendment reunites US beyond all pow>
er of disruption. 1t heals the wound
that is imperfec ly closed. 1t removes
slavery, which has SO long perplexed and
divided the country. 1t makes of us,
once more, reunited people-renewed
and strengthened, and bound more than
ever to mutual affection and support.
The amendment to the Constitution be-
ing adopted, it would remain forever in
the States whose powers have been so
long in allegiance, to resume their place
| in the two branches OF the National Leg
I islature, and thereby complete the work
of restoI alton. Here it is for you, fellow
citizens of the Senate, and for you, fell
| low citizens OF the House OF Represents
tives, to judge, each of you for your
selves, of the election returns and quail
J fcations of your own members.
! The full assertion of the powers of the
( General Government requires the hold
| ing OF Circuit Courts of the United
| States within the Districts where their
authority has been interrupted. In the
present posture of our public affairs,
strong objections has been urged to holds
ing these courts in any OF the States
where the rebellion has existed, and II
was ascertained by inquiry that the Cir
cult Court of the United States would moi
be held within the district OF Virginia
during the autumn or carly winter, nol
until Congress should have an opportu
nifty to consider and act on the whole
subject. To your deliberations the resto
/ ration of this branch of the civil author
necessarily referred, with the hope tina
early provision will be made for resump
ton of all its functions. 1t is nantes
that treason most fragrant in character
has been committed. Persons who arr
. charged with its commission should have
, fair and impartial trials in the high ant
; civil tribunals of the country in orde
that the Constitution and the laws ma.
, be fully vin1icated, the truth clearly es
tablished and affirmed that treason is
crime, that traitors should be punished
and the offense made infamous, and a
, the same time that the question may b
judiciously settled finally and foreve
. that no State OF its own will has the RICH
| to renounce its place in the Union.
r The relation of the General Govern
: ment towards the four million OF inhab
{ tants whom the war has called into free
r dom, have engaged our most serious con
. sideration. On the propriety oil attempt
| ing to make the freedmen voters by tn
. proclamation of the Executive, took to
. nv counsel the Constitution itself, tn
!. interpretation of that instrument by II
4 authors and their contemporaries. and II
o cent legislation by Congress. When 8
!. the first movement toward independence
o the Congress Of the United States IL
a structed the several States to institu,
3 governments of their own, they left eac
) State to d. ode for itself the conditions {
y the employment of the elective franchise
4 n,,-;rr- Aha r,eriod of the COnfedefac,