The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1865-12-06

anu 70 " tNvry p.-t. wv.
limitation spreads through every form u admins
the treat dI.tingushipe principle o. the recognition
q the rrnts Of man The ancient republics absorbed
and controlled hts seiiyty The american system
rest or the assertion Of the eus right OF every man
70 e berty, and the pursuit OF happiness 10 free
dom d conscience, 10 the culture and erercse Of all
hnhCuiiio.. As consequence, the Stat Govern
tht limited M to the General Gov eminent Ia the
interest Of eodutn,
ststc, with proper limitations Of power are essen
VA 70 the existence Of the Constitution Of the United
N'ste. Al tue very commencement, when
,umtd place among the powers Of the earth, the
declaration Of Independence adopted by State.
20 also wore the Articles Of Confederation; and vhen
''tle Peope Of the United ststes" ordained and
established the Consii iUn, II the assen; OF the
s,ates ono BY one, which gave 1t vitality. In tnc
event. too, Of any smenament 70 the Constitution,
he popyst on VI Congfese needs the conrmat on u
: aies. WI bout statts, one great branch of the
les,saive government would be venting. And, IT
VI ioOk beyond the letter OF the Conn,uton 10 the
character Of our country, lie capacity tor compre-
bending within iu Jurisdiction a vast continental
empire is due TO the system Of States. The best
security for the perpcu, existence Of the States is
the '.upfome authority" Of the Consttution Of tho
lniod states. The perpstuity Of the Constitution
brings With il the perpetuity OF the states; their
mutual relation makes ui what we are, and in our
political system their connection IL indissoluble The
whole cannot exist without the parts nor the parts
rihQut the whole. SO long a. the Constitution OF
the destucton Of the one 10 the destruction Of tho
oher the preservation Of Tie one Is the preservation
have thus explained my views Of the mutual re-
aiions Of the Consti tuition aud tho Statos because
they unfold the principles on which have sought TO
,oiNo the momentOus questions and overcome the
apialiing difficulties that met me at the very COM
Indictment Of my administration. IL has been my
seadiAst object TO escape from the sway Of inonen-
tary passions, and 10 derive . healing policy from
tho fundamental and unchangng principles Of the
l found the state. suffering from the effect. Of
civil war. kesistenoo to the General Government
Epeaied TO hAvo exhausted itself The United
Etass had recovered possession OF their forts and
ttnss and their aruea we're IN occupation OF every
sac shich had attempted 70 socode. Whether the
territory within the limits Of those states should be
hold a. eonquered errtOry, under military authori
y enAnating from the President the head Of the
decision.
Now, military governments, established for an in
dehniio period, would have offered no security for
tho early surpression Of discomfort would have
DIVIDED tho people into the vanquish.r and the
rather than have restored affection once ertabsh'
cd no precise limit 70 their continuance was conceiv-
.ne; nsy HSuia have oce.,ioncd an incsculate
IRON that PORTION OF tue country IL tie best
cans that can he thought of TOR the re'tora-
ton Of harmony hnds that emigration would have
been prevented for what emigration from ehro-d,
| vhst Industrious citizen ~ home, would place him
| sons who vould have follow ed in the train OF the
| ,rny would have been dependents the General
niasriss Of their eTrng isigS -citzens The powers
Q, patfonage and rule shieh would have been eIer-
ched under the Ire 'tdent, over vat, and popuous
and naturally wealthy reRion, arc greater then
uness under extreme Necessity. should be willing
1 w tAlhusN W ouH hlill Nney such Ia. for
| uysen, could never, unltss on oceasious
| u great emergency confeut 10 exercise. The
through a period OF year,, would have endangered
the purity o. the general admin rtration and lber-
tie, OF the states which remained LOYAL.
Besdes, the policy VI military rule over coupuer-
| ed territory would have implied that the state.
whose ,nhapltAnts may have taken part in the re-
beton hhd, by the act OF those inhsbitsnts ceased
to exist But the true theory IL, Nat all pretended
acts OF secession we're, from the be innins null and
void. The states cannot commit t. esson, nor screen
| the individual citizens who NAV have conlmitted
treason any more than they valid treaties
| Power. Tho States attempting 10 secede plsced
themselves IN condition where their vitality was
impaired, but not eitnguiahed-thsfr functions
But If any state negIsc or refuses to perform II.
Government should maintain all It's authority ard
a. soon "a practicable, resume the exercise OF ali III
| functions On this principle nave srted and b,ye
GRADUALLY and quietly, AM by almost impeTceptibe
steps sought to restore the rightful energy OF the
General government and OF tbs States. To that end
| Provisional Governors have been appointed Tor the
states Conventions called, Gov, more eec ted .gi.
latufes assembled and Senators and Representative
chosen 10 the Congress Of the nitod states Al tina
same time, the Courts OF the United States a. lar "a
could be done, have been reopened, mat the laws
OF the Jnied states may le enforced through thor
| sgOncy. The blockade has been removed and The
eustoln-houses r,-estabs ed al ports Of entry, 40
| that the revenue OF the United States may be col
| loctod. Tho Post once Department reusws lie
ce1eless activity and the General Government Ia
| thereby enabled 70 communicate promptly with N,
| officers aud agents. Tho courts brins security To
persons and poperty; the opening OF tho ports in.
| req tHa
pos, office the iaeiutes OF socs inte course
aud OF business. And 10 1t not happy for us all that
ho restoration OF eSch one OF these functions Of tue
General Government brings with ~ blessing 10 The
| states over which they are exteudedY IL II not A
sure promise Of harmony anu renewed attachment TO
TIE Union that ator all that has hsppon I'd, the
return OF the General Government 10 known only a.
benctcencor
know yery well that thi, policy Is attended with
como risk that for its sus,r,, Il roqutes al iea,t
the acluesccnce OF the state, which 1; concerns !.
that y implies an lnyilst.on TO thofo stale. BY
| nlleliunfa IN
resume their functions as states Of Tic Union But
MS ilhA hat must be taken Ia tue choice Of din
u pVsoe, 70 remove all danger, have felt Il incum,
p.it On me TO assert other power VI the General
ormiiont-tho power of pardon AZ no state can
| 81 PARDON 10 eAcluavoy vested In tho Executive
uoNerhhent OF the United states In sxeiciang that
p9Wet, have taken every precsu,ion to connect It
Win the coaresI recognition Of tho binding force Of
the laws Of the United states and unqualified
diuon IN regard TO slavery which has gown OUT Of
the war.
The next step which have taken to restore con.
stutiona Rotations OF the states has been an iny-
tation TO them TO partiC pats In the high Office of
amending the Constitution. Every patriot must
wish for general Amncsty at the earliest epoch con
sstent with public safety. For this great end there
lie need Of concurrence Of ali opinions and the .pirt
OF mutual Cancellation. All pari.es In tho late Ter
| bic conflict must WORK together la harmony IA a.
not much 10 ask, in tho name Of the whole peope
that on me one side, The plan Of restoration shall
disorders OF the past into oblivion and That on Tho
other, tho eyidonce OF sincerity III the future man
tenance OF the Unon shall he put beyond any Tonbt
by the ratification Of the proposed amendment 10 the
Constitution, which provides for tho abolition OF
slavery ever within the limits Of our country 80
| long u, the adoption VI thus amendment i, dcisved
90 long viii doubt Jealousy and uncertainty peyail'
ory Of the past this 10 the measure which Will mo-,
certainly call population, and capital and securty
Indeed, IL Is not too much to aak of lie stSfe.
which are resuming their place. in the iamiiv
OF tho nion TO s's tniI nSd3e OF perpetual loyalty