Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-12


OF Tic Constitution Of the United States. III,
Tefpsinity 0l the Constitution brings with ii th,
OF the States their mutual relation
iDakes US what we are, and in our political sys
TEN their connection is indipo!uble. The Who'll,
cannot exist without the parts, nor the part
without the &hoIo. So long as the Constitution
OF tie United States endurcs, the States will
endure The destruction of the one is the de-
uucti0u ot the ether the preservation OF the
oae 10 tho preservation of the other.
have thus explained my views OF The mutua
relations Of the Constitution ard the States
because they unfold The principles on which
have sought to solve the momentus questions
and overcome the appalling difficulties that met
mt at The very commencement of my admins-
tIon. IL has been my steadiast object to escape
IRON tho sway OF momentary passions, and u
deute healing policy from the Fundamental
and unchaneing principles Of the Constitution
found the States suffering from the effects Of
civil war. Resistance to the General Govern
meut appeared to have exhausted itself. The
Unit. States bad recovered possession of their
forts and arsenals and their armies wero 10 he
occupation Of every State which had attempted
to secede. Wheeler the territory within the
limit OF those States should bo held as con-
quer,d territory, under military authority ema.
mating from the President as the head of the
army, was the first question that presented il.
set lJr decision.
NOW, military governments, established for
an indefinite period would have offered DO &C.
cuny for the carly suppression Of discomfort
would have divided tho people INTO tie van
qui.her' and the yanquiahed and would have
enyeuomed hatred, rather than have restored
aH elton. Once established, no pre- clse limit To
Their continuance Was conceivable hey would
Aaye oCcasioned an lncalcuaLle and exhaustnr
I0eusa. Peaceful emigration to ana ffonl that
p.rtDn Ut lhe country Is one Of the best means
that can bc thought Of for the restoration Of
haimony and that emigration would have
been prevented; for what emlgrant from abroad
What industrious citizen at home, would place
himself Willingly under military 1ule2 The
gLei pers0ns WHO would have followed IN the
train ol the army would have been dependents
on The General Government, or men who ex-
pected profit from the miseries OF their erring
ie,low-cluzers. The powers Of patronage and
rule Eblou would have been exercised, under
tl3 ffesideut, over o yast, and populous, and
naturally wealthy region, are greater than,
unless under extreme necessity, | should be
willing TO eutrCst to any one man they are
.uch as iJr myself, | could never, unless on
occasions OF great emergency, consent to exer-
iis3. The wi!llul use OF such powers, if con-
ilnued through period OF years, would have
the puuty OF the general admins
.Iauon and the Liberties Of the States which
remained loyal.
Besld.-, tie policy Of military rule over
territory would have implied that
.he States whose Inhabitants may have taken
pant in the rebellion had, by the act Of those
ceased to exist But the true
he1ry IL, that oil pretended acts Of secession
we're from the beginning, null and void. The
states cannot commit treason, nor screen the
citizens who may have committed
reason, any more than they can make valid
treaties or engage IN lawful commerce with any
oTelgn power. Ine Ss.es attempting to secede
.laced themselves IN q condition where their
'lality was impaired, but not extinguished-
heir functions suspended but not destroyed
Bat # eny sta neglecis VI refuses to perform
Is Offices, thore Is the more need that tho Gene
'a Government should matain all it's authority.
.ud, as soon as practicable, resume the exercise
If all its functions. Ga ibis principle | hay.
.c,et, and have gradually and quietly, and by
Almost impercepiible steps sought to restore
he rightiul energy Of the General Government
nd OF the states To that end, Provisional
Governors have been appointed Tor the states,
Conventions called, Governors elected, Lsgisla-
ures assembled and Senators and Representa-
ives chosen 10 the Congress OF the United States
it ihe same tine, the courts of The United
'.4t e., us far asc0uld be done, have been re-
.Ieiti, - that lbo laws Of the United States
nay be enforced through their agency The
lyckade has bcen removed and the custom
iouscs re-establshed 10 ports Of cnry, 50 that
be revenue Of the United Stats may be colec-
ei The Post Office Department renews It's
tlsclsss activity and the General Government
thereby eiaoled 10 communicate promptly
rith ne officers ami agents. The courts bring
,'srity tj lctsjn. and property the opening
6 the pors invites the restoration Of industry
nd commerce the post office renews the iac /.
.lls Oi social intercourse aud of business. AMI
il not happy T.. us all, that the restoration |
{ each one ID these functions OF the General
ioyernmeut brings with 1t a blessing TO the |
taJes over which they are exter ded Is it not
sure promise Of harmony and renewed attach |
icnt to the Union that, after all that has hap
cned, the return II the Genera Government, IS |
uown only as beniieence
know very well that tins policy is attended |
,ith somo risk that for It's success il requires
t least the acquieseeneo Of the states which it .
'ncorus that It implies ON invitation to those
ats, bY ronewing their allegiance to the Unit /
4 States, to resume their functions Is states OF .
be Union. But tits arisk that must be taken /;
D The choice ot difficulties II is the smallest
sk and Z, tlmnlsh aud, if possible, to re- |
loye al, nger, have ielt 1t incumbent on /
le 81 assert one other power OF the General /
oycrnment-lhe power Of pardon. As no
ate can throw defense over the ctimo Of irea-
ln, The power of pardon is exclusively vested .
! ihe Executive Government of the United
tatts. la exercising that power, have taken
very Pre- .uu,0n To connect 1t with the clcarest
,eugnluon Of the binding force OF the laws o.
lo United States, aud an unqualified acknow!.
igment OF the great social change OF condition
regard TO slavery which has grown out Of the
ar.
The next step which have taken to restore
le constitutional relations OF the states has been
a invitation to them to participate in the high
hce OF amending the Constitution. Every
Atriot mus, wish Tor general amnesty at tue
Ihiest epoch conslstsn, with public safety. For
lis great end there is need OF concurrence OF
I opinions, and the spirit OF mutual conciia-
On. All parties 10 the late terrible cor HE;
ust work together in harmony. ltls not too
Iuth to ak, IN the name OF the whole people,
lRt, on the one side, tho plan of restoration
lail proceed in conformity with a willingness
cast the disorders Ol the past into obliyioR
ID that, On the other, lhe evidence Of sincerity
tho future maintenance OF the Union shall be
at beyond any doubt by the ratihcauon OF the
roposed amendment to the Constitution, which
fovides Tor the abolition of slavery forever
thin the limits OF our ountry. So long as
le adoption of this amendment is delayed, SO
NO will dOuht aud ian alnnav and unrartatttv /