Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-07

on, nor screen the individual citizens who
may have committed treason, any more than
they can make valid treaties, or engage III
lawful commerce with any foreign power.
The States attempting to secede placed
themselves in a condition where their vital
ity was impaired, but not extinguished-
their functions suspended but not destoy-
ed
But if any STATE negects OF refuses to
perform its offices, there is the more need
that the General Government should main
tain all its authority, and, as soon as prac-
ticable, resume the exercise Of all its tunct-
ions. On this pruciple | have acted, and
have gradually and quietly, and by almost
imperceptible steps, sought to restore the
rghtful energy Of the 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 reopcncd, SO that
the laws of the United States may be Ell
forced through their agency. The blockade
has been removed and the custOm-houses
re-established in ports of entry, 80 that the
revenue of the United States may be col
lected The Post-of1icc Department rencws
it's ceaseless activity, and the General Gov
ernment is thereby enabled to communicate
promptly with its officers and agents. The
courts bring security To persons and prop
erty the opening of the ports invites the
restoration of industry and commerce ; the
post-office renews the facilities of social i'll
tercourse and of business. And is it not
happy for us all, that the restoration Of
each one of these functions Of the General
Government brings with it a blessing to
the States over which they are extended !?
it is not a snre promise of harmony and re-
newed attachment to the Union that, after
all that has happened, the return of the
General Government is known only as a
| benefcencc?
know very well that this policy is at
tended with some risk that for its success
it requires at least the acquiescence OF the
States which it concerns that ii implies
an invitation to those States, by renewing
their allegiance to the United States, to re-
sumo their functions rs States of the Union.
But it is risk that must be taken ; III the
choice Of difficulties, it is the smallest risk !;
and to diminish, and, if possible, to remove
all danger | have felt ii incumbent OH me
| to assert one other power of the General
/ Government-the power Of pardon AS 10
State can throw a defence over the crime
of treason, the power of pardon is eXcIn-
! siyely vested in the Executive Government
of the United States. In exercising that
power, have taken every precaution to
connect it with the clearest recognition Of
the binding force of the laws Of the United
States, and an unqualified acknowledgment
of the great social change Of condition in
regard to slavery which has grown out Of
the war.
THE NEED OF MUTUAL ESSIONS-MEAS SURES
FOR RECONSTRUCTION.
The next step which | have taken to re-
store the constitutional relations Of the
States, has been an invitation to them to
participate in the high Office of amending
the constitution. Every patriot must wish
| for a general amnesty at the earliest epoch
consistent with public safety. For this
great end there is need Of a concurrence of
all opinions, and the spirit Of mutual con
| ciliaton. All parties IN the late terrible
conflict must work together in harmony.
! Is it not too much to ask, i'll the name Of
! the whole people that, on the one side, the
! plan of restoration shall proceed in contor-
nifty with a Willingness to cast the disor-
! ders Of the past into oblivion and that, on
! the other the evidence of sincerity in the
! future maintenance of the Union shall be
put beyond any doubt by the ratification OF
| the proposed amendment to the constitu-
ton, which provided tor the abolition OF
| slavery forever within the limits of our
country. So long as the adoption Of this
amendment is delayed, 50 long will doubt,
and, jealousy, and uncertainty prevail,
! This is the measure which will ci1acc the
sad memory Of the past this is the meas
ure which will most certainly call pOpuia-
tion, and capital, and security, to those
! parts of the Union that need them most.
! Indeed it is not too much 10 ask the States
which are now respming their places in the
! family of the Union to give this pledge OF
perpetual loyalty and peace. Until ii Is
! done, the past, however much we may de-
sire it, will not be forgotten The adop-
| tiOn of the amendment reunites us beyond
all power of disruption 1t heals the wound
that is still imperfectly closed ; it removes
! slavery, the element which has SO long per
picked and divided the country il makes
| Ol us OHCc more d hHlLGu people, itHCWSu
and strengthened bound more than ever to
mutual affection and support
The amendment to the constitution being
adopted it would remain for the States,
whose powers have been so long in abcy-
ance, to resume their places in the two
branches Of the National Legislature, and
thereby complete the work of restoration
! Here it is for you, fellow citizens of the
Senate and for yon, fellow-citizens of the
| House of Representatives,, to Judge each Of
! you for yourselves, of the elections, re-
turns, and qualification of your own mem
! bCrs.
The full assertion of the powers of the
| General Government requires the holding
of Circuit Courts of the United States with
! in the districts where their authority has
been interrupted. In the present posture
OF Opr public affairs, strong objections have
| been urged to holding these courts in any
of the States whej4 tbs rebellion has exis-
ted and it was s>Gertaiaed by inquiry,
that the CircU. Courts of the Uni. ed States
would not be held within the District of
| Virginia during the Autumn or early Win
ter, nor until Congress should have an
opportunity to consider and act on the
whole subject" To your deliberations the
restoration Of this branch OF the civil au-
Al. Z Il ..