The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-12-08
RECONSTRUCTION

hffSXNeAHSNAAk-s
found the States suffering from the effects @
civil war. Resistance to the General Govern
ment appeared to have exhausted ITSELF IN
United States had recovered possession of thei
forts and arsenals; and their armies were In IN
occupation Of every State which had attempted I
secede. Whether the territory within the limit
OF those States should be held as conquered ter
ritory, under military authority emanating trui
the President as the head of the army, was III
FIRST question that presented itself for decision.
NOW military governments established for n
indefinite period, would have offered no securt
fbr the early suppression VI discontent; woul
have divided the people into the vanQ aishcrs an
the yanquishel; aud would have, enyeDouic
hatred, rather than have restored affection. One
established. no precise limit 10 their continuapc
was concei,able- They would have occasione
an incalculable anu exhaustiDg expense. Peae,
q fll emigratiun 90 and from that portion of III
country Is one of the best means that can )
thought Of for the restoration OF harmony; an
| THAT emigration would have been prevented; IL
what emicrant abroad, what industrious ctize
at home, would place himself willingly under mil
iary rulei The chief persons who would har
followed In the train Of the army would have bee
dependents on the General Government, or me
who expected profit from the mserics of thei
crring fellow -citiIens. The powers OF patronas
and rule which would have been exercised, uude
the President, over vast and populpus, an
, naturally wealthy region, are greater than, un
less under extreme necessity, should be willni
10 cntrust to any one man; they are such rs, To
myself, | could never, unless ON OCCASIONS OF grei
emergency, consent to exercise. The willfui US
Of such powers, IL continued through period .
years, would have endangered the purity oi tn
general administration and the liberties oi TN
State, which remained loyal.
Besides, the policy OF military rule over n con
auerel territory would have implied that tn
States whose inhabitants may have taken part 10
the rebellion had, by the act OF those inhabitants
ceased To exist. But the true theory Is, that al
pretended acts of secession were, from the begin
ming. null and void. The States cannot commit
treason, nor screen the Individual 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 at
tempting to secede placed themselves In a comb.
ton where their vitality was impaired, but not
extinguished- their functions suspended, but mol
destroyed. ....t o.
But IL any State negleots or refuses to perform
its Offices there is the more need that the General
Government should maintain all its authority,
and, as soon a, practicable, resume the exercise
of all its functions. On this principle | have
acted, and have gradually and quietly, aud by
almost imperceptible steps, sought to restore the
rightful energy of the General Government and
Of the States. To that end, Provisional Govern
ors have been appointed for the States, Conyen.
tons called, Governors elected, Legislatures as
sembled. 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 re opened, so that
the laws Of the Unitad States may be enforced
through their agency. The blockade has been
removed and the custom.houses re-established in
ports Of entry, so that the revenue of the United
States may be collected. The Post Office Depart
H., al aefivitv anl tha Cana.
raj Government is thereby enabled to communi.
cate promptly with its officers and agents. The
courts bring security to persons and property
the opening Of the ports invites the restoration o
industry and commerce; the post office renews
the facilities OF social Intercourse aud OF business
And is IL not happy for Us all, that the restora-
ton Of each one OF these functions Of the Gener al
Government brings with il a blessing to the States
over which they are extended 7 Is II not q sure
promise of harmony aud renewed attachment
10 the Union that, after all that has happened,
the return of the General Government Is known
only as benehcencei .ste ;
know very well that this policy is attended
with some risk; that for IFS success II requires Mt
least the acluescence of the States which IL con-
Germs; and Il implies an invitation ~, those States
by renewing their allegiance To the United States,
TO resume their functions States Of the Union.
But il is risk that must be taken; in the choice
Of difficulties, il is the smallest risk; and To di
minish, anil If possible. to remove all danger, l
have ielt II incumoenton me W assert one other
power ot the General Goycrnment-the power of
pardon As no State oih throw Audience DYER
the crime of treasop, the power of pardon Is ex.
vested in the Executive Government of
the Unitcd States. In exercising that power.
have taken every precantion tn connect 1t with
the clsarest recognition Of the binding force of
the laws OF the United States, and an unqualified
knowedgement OF the great social change OF
condition IN regard to slavery which has grown
out of the war.
The next step whi,h have taken to restore the
constitutional relations of the States, has been On
invitation to themto participate in the high Office
OF amending the, Constitution Every patriot
must wish for n genstal amnesty at the earliest
epoch consistent with public safety. For this
great end there Is need OF a concurrence OF all
All parties in the late terrible conflict must work
together in harmony: II Is not too much to ask,
in the name OF the whole people, that, On the one
side. the plan OF restoration shall procee1in con-
f0rnty with willingness>to cast the disorders OF
the past into oblivion; AMI that, on the other,
the evidence OF sincerity In the future ma'nten-
anee Of the Union shall be put beyond any doubt
by the ratification OF the proposed amendment
to the Constitution, which provides for the nboli
ton Of slavery forever within the limits OF our
country. So long rs the adoption OF this amend
meat is delayed, SO long will doubt, and Jealousy,
aud uncertainty prevail. This is the measure
which will etficc the sad memory Of the past;
this is the measure which will most certainly
call population aud capital. and security to those
parts OF the Union that need them most. lndeei,
tits not too much to ask Ut the States which are
now resuming their places in the family OF the
Union, to give this pledge OF perpetual loyalty
much we may desire it,,uili not be forgotten
The adoption OF me amendment rs-unitss US ne
You'd oil power OF disruption. ~ Meals inc WOUND
that Is SILL imperieatiy closed ~ removes slave,
~, the element which mas 50 long perplexed ana
divided the eountryi u makes OF us once more q
united people, reneweu anu suergthehed, oound
more than ever " mu'ua, anscuon anu support
Inc amenument 10 me Oons',sIion Deihy
adoptcn, wouiu remain Ior 'ne suites WHOSE
powers nave oeeh so longin aoeysnce,to resume