The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-12-14

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ABoLIsnINa SLAVERY
The next step which havo taken TO
restore 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 q general amnesty at tho earliest
epoch consistent with public safety. For
this great end there is need of concur
renee of all opinions, and the spirit of
mutual Cancellation. All parties in the
late terrible conflict must work together
in harmony. 1t is not too much to ask,
in the namc of the whole people, that, on
the one side, tho plan Of restoration shall
proceed in conformity with Willingness
to cast the disorders of tho past into OBJ
livion; and that, on tho other, the evil
dencc of sincerity in tho future maintcn-
anco of the Union shall bo put beyond
any doubt by the ratification Of tho pro-
posed amendment to the constitution,
which provides for the abolif; n of slavery
forever within the limits OF our country.
So long as the adoption Of this amend
ment is delayed SO long will doubt,
and jealousy and uncertainty prevail
This is the measure which will efface the
sad memory of the past; this is the meas
ure which will most certainly call popula-
tion, and capital, and security to those
parts of the Union that need them most.
Indeed, it is not too mnch to ask of the
States which are now rcsuming their
places in the family of the Union to give
this pledge of perpetual loyalty and
peace. Uutil it is done, the past, howev-
cr much we may desire it, will not be for
gotten. The adoption of the amendment
reunitcs us beyond all power of disrup-
ton. 1t heals the wound that is still i'm
perfectly closed it removes slavery, the
element which has so long pcrplc1ed and
divided the country; it makes us once
moro united people, renewed and
strengthened, bound more than over to
mutual affection and support.
The amendment to the constitution be-
ing adopted, it would remain for tho
States, whose powers have been SO long
in allegiance, to resume their places in the
two branches Of the national Legislature,
and thereby complete the work of restora-
tion. Hero it is for you, fellow citizens
of the Senate, and for you, felIow-citizona
of the House of Representatives, to judge,
each of you for yourselves, of the cleo
tions, returns and qualifications of your
own members.
TIE UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURTS IN TIE
Seeded STATES.
The full assertion Of the powers of the
general government requires the holding
of circuit courts of the United States
within the districts where their authority
has boen interrupted In the present
posture of our public affairs strong OBJ
iections have been urged to holding those
courts in any of the States where the re-
bellion has existed, and it was asccrtaincd
by inquiry that the Circuit Court Of the
United States would not be held within
the District of Virginia during the au-
tumn or early winter, nor until Congress
should have san opportunity to consider
and act on tho whole subject" TO your
deliberations the restoration Of this branch
Of the civil authority of the United States
is therefore necessarily referred, with the
hopo that early provision will be made
for the resumption Of all its functions.-
It is manifest that treason, most fragrant
in character, has bcen committed. Per-
sons who arc charged with its commits
sion should have fair and impartial trials
in the hi CHEST civil tribunals of the coun-
try, in order that the constitution and the
laws may be fully vindicated; the truth
clearly established and affirmed that trca-
son is a crimo, that traitors should be
punished and the offence mado Infamous;
and, at tho same time, that tho question
may be judicially settled, finally and for
ever, that no State Of its own will has
the right to rcnounce its place in tho
Union.
THE RELATIONS OF TIE GOVERNMENT TO
THE FREEDMEN.
The relations Of the general govern
ment towards the four millions of inhabi-
tants whom the war has called into free
dom havo engaged my most serious con-
sideration. On tho propriety of attempt
ing to make the freedmen electors by the
proclamation of tho Executive, I took for