The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-12-12

| L tJuud the States suffering from the
effects of civil war. Resistance TO the
General Government appeared to have ex-
bausted itself The United States had
recovered possession of their forts and ar
senals ; and their armies were in the oc-
upation Of every State which had attempt
ed to seceie. Whether the territory
within the limits of those states should be
held as conquered territory, under militia
~ authority emanatIng from the President
as the head of the army, was the first
question that presented Itself for decision
Now, military governments, established
for az indefinite period would have offered
no security for the early suppression Of
discomfort would have divided the peo-
pie into the vanquishers and theVanQuish-
ed aud would have enyen0med hatred.
rather than have restored affection. Once
established, no precise limit to their con-
tinuance was conceivable They would
have occasioned an incalculabls and ex-
haustiug expense. Peaceful emigration
to and from that portion of the country is
one OF the best means that ccn be thought
Of for the restoration Of harmony ana that
emigration would have been prevented :;
for what emigTant from abroad, what In.
dustrious citizen at home, would place
himself willingly under military rule?
The chief persons who would have fol-
lowed in the train Of the army would have
been dependent Of the General Govern
ment, or men who expected profit from
/ the mIseries Of their erring fellow citizens.
The powers of patronage and rule which
would have been exercised under the
President over vast and popuIous, and
wealthy region, are greater than, unless
under e4teei1e necessity, | should be
wiling to entrust to any Que man; they
are such as, for myself, | could never, ,uu-
/ less on occasions of great emergency, cor
| sent to exercise. The wiIful use of such
powers, if continued through a period of
years, would have endangered the parity
Of the general administration and the lib
critics Of the States which remained loval.
Besides, the policy of military rule over
a conquered territory would have implied
that the States whose inhabitants may
have taken part in the Rebellion had by
the act Of those inhapitants, ceased to
exist. But the true theory is that all
pretended acts of secession were from the
beginning, null aud goid. The States
cannot commit treason, nor serene the
individual citizens who may have com.
United treason, any more than they can
make valid treaties or engage in lawful
commerce with any f0reiz Power. The
States attempting to sece % ..aced them
selves in a condition where their vitality
was impaired but not eztiaguishcd-thoir
functions suspended, but not DESTROYED.
But if any State neglects or refuses TO
perform It's Offices. there is the more need
that the General Governments should main.
tain all Its authority and, as soon as prac-
/ tlcable. resume the exercise of all its
functions On this principle have act
/ ed, and have gradually and quietly, and
by almost imperceptible steps sought to
restore the rightful energy of the Gener.
al GOyernmen and Of the States. To that
end, Provisional Governors have been ap-
pointed for the States, Conventions called
/ Governors elected, 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 re-opened 90 that the laws of
the United States may be enforced thro'
their agency. The blockade has been re
moved and the custom houses established
IN ports of entry, so that the revenue OF
the United States may be collected The
Post Office Department renews its cease
less activity, and the General Government
/ is thereby enabled to communicate prompt.
y with its officers and agents. The courts
bring security to persons aud property
/ the opening of the ports invites the re.
storaIion of industry and commerce the
! post Office renews the facilities Of social
Intercourse and business.
/ And is it not happy for US all, that the
/ restoration Of each one Of these functions
/ of the General Government brings With
1t blessing to the States over which they
are extended? Is it not a sure promise
Of harmony and renewed attachment to
the Uuion that, after all that has happen
/ ed, the return Of the General Government
/ Is known only as benefcence?
/ / 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 1t 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 a risk that must be
taken; in the choice of difficulties, it Is
the smallest risk; and to diminish, and
/ if possible, to remove all danger, have
/ felt it incumbent on me to assert one other