North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-12-13

may be enforced through their agency
The blockade has been removed and the
custom houses re-established in ports OF en-
try, SO that the revenue of the United
States may be collected. The Post Ofi1ce
Department renews its ceaseless activity,
and the General Government is thereby
enabled to communicate promptly with its
officers and agents. The Courts bring Sc
curity to persons and property the open.
ing of the ports invites the restoration OF
industry and commerce the post office re-
news the facilities of social intercourse and
of business. And is it not happy for US
all, that. the restoration of each one of
these functions of the General Government
brings with it blessing to the States over
which they are extended! Is it not
sure promise of harmony and renewed at
tachment to the Union that, after all that
has happened, the return of the General
Government is known only as benefac-
tor?
know very we'll that this policy is at
tended with some risk; that for its sue
cess it requires at least the acquiescence OF
the States which it concerns that implies
an invitation to those States, by renewing
their allegiance to the United States, to re-
sumo their functions as States Of the Union.
But it is 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 power of the Govern
m ment-the power of pardon. As no State
can throw defense over the crime of trea-
son, the power of pardon is exclusively
vested in the Executive Government OF
the United States. In exercising that pow
er, have taken every precaution to con
meet it with the elearest recognition OF the
binding force of the laws of the United
States, and an unqualified acknowledgement
ofthe great social change of condition in
regard to slavery which has grown out of
| the war.
The next which I have taken to restore
the constitutional relations of the States,
has been an invitation to them to particl-
pate in the high Office of amending the
Constitution. Every patriot must wish for
a general amnesty at the earliest epoch con-
sistent with public safety. For this, the
great end there is need of concurrence OF
all opinions and the spirit of mutual concil-
alton. All parties in the late terrible con-
fict, must work together in harmony. 1t
is not to much to ask in the name Of the
whole people, that, on the one side, the
plan of restoration STALL proceed in con-
| formity with willingness to cast the dis
orders of the past into oblivion; and that,
on the other the evidence Of sincerity in
the future maintainance of the Union shall
be put beyond doubt by the ratification of
the proposed amendment to the Constitu-
ton, which provides for the abolition of
Slavery forever within the limits of our
country. SO long as the adoption of this
amendment 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-
ton, and capitol and security to those parts
ofthe Union that need them NEST. In
deed. it is not to much to ask of the States
that are now resuming their places in the
family of the Union to give this pledge
of perpetual loyalty and peace. Until it
is done,the past, however much we may de-
sire it, will not be forgotten. The adoption
of the amendment reunites lis beyond all
power of disruption. 1t heals the wound
that is still imperfectly closed; it removes
slavery, the element which has so long per-
picked and divided the country, it makes of
US once more united people, renewed and
strengthened, bound more than ever to mutu-
al affection and support.
The amendment to the Constitution be-
ing adopted, it would remain for the States,
whose powers have been so long in obey
bnce. to resume their places in the two
rar ches of the National Legislature, and
thereby complete the work of restoration.
Here it is for you, felow-citizens of the
House of Representatives, to Judge each
of for yourselves, of the elections, returns
and qualifications of your own members.
The full assertion of the powers of the
General Government requires the holding
of Circuit Courts of the United States with
in the districts where their authority has
been interrupted. In the present posture
of our pub blc affairs, strong objection shave
been urged to holding those Courts in any
of the States where the rebellion has exist
ed /; and it was ascertained, by inquiry,
that the Circuit Court oft United States
would not be held within the District of
Virginia during the autumn or early win
ter, nor until Congress should have San op-
portunity to consider and act on the whole
subject" To your deliberations the res
toration of this branch of the civil author ity
of the United States is therefore necessari-
ly referred, with the hope that early pro-
vision will be made for the resumption
of all its functions. 1t manifest that
treason, most fragrant in character, has been
committed. Persons who are charged with
its commission should havs fair and impair
tlal trials in the highest civil tribunals of
the country, in order that the Constitution
and the laws may be fully vindcated; the
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