Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-12-16

tired, rather than restored affection. Once
established, no precise limit to their con-
tinuancs WAS conceivable. They would
have occasioned an incalculable and ex-
hausting expense. Peaceful emigration
to and from that portion OF the country
10 one Of the best means that can DO
thought Of for tho restoration of harmo-
ny; and that emigration would have been
prevented; for what emigrn.ant from
abroad, what industrious citizen at home,
would place hiusslf w;ll:os|y u1der mill
tary rule Tho chief persons who would
have followed IN the train Of the army
would have been dependents on the gen.
ersl government, Or men who sxpeeted
profit from the uiseriss of their erring
fsllow-ci.izens. The powers Of patronage
and rule which would have been exercised,
under the President, over . vast and popu-
lous and naturally wealthy region, are
greater than, unless under extreme nsces.
sity, should be willing to trust to any
one man ; they are such as, for myself, l
could never, unless on occasions of great
emergency, consent to exercise. The
wilful use Of such powers, if continued
through a-period Of years, would have en-
dspgered the purity Of the general ad-
ministration and the liberties Of tho States
which remained loyal
ITS IMPOLICY.
Besides, the policy Of military rule over
a conquered territory would have implied
that the States whose Inhabitants NAV
have taken part in the rebellion had, BY
tho act Of those inhabitants, ceased to ex-
list. But the true theory is, that oil pre-
tended acts of secession we're, from the
eginning, null and void. The States
canno: commit treason, nor scree n the 10
dividual citizens who may have commit
ted treason, Any moro than they can make
valid treaties or engage ia lawful COM
merce with any foreign power. The States
attempting to secsde placed themseive
10 condition wheri their vitality was i'm
pnred, but not extinguished- func-
tons suspended, bu. not destroyed.
PROGRESS OF RESTORATION.
But il Any State neslec,s or refuses to
perform its Offices, there il the more need
that the general government should main.
tain oil its authority, and, as soon as prac
ticsble. resume The exercise Of oil its
functions. O" this principle have act
ed, aud have gradually and quietly, and
BY almost impsrcep.ible steps, sough, to
restore the righ,ful energy Of the general
government and Of the States. To ,ha.
end. provisional Governors have been Cd.
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 rs could be done, have been
reopened, so that the laws Of the United
States may be enforced through their
agency. The blockade has been removed
and the custom houses reestabli shed in
ports Of entry, so that tbs revenue Of the
United Safes may be collected. The
postofice department renews its ceuse'ess
activity, and the general government is
thereby enabled to communicate prompt
ly with its officers and agents. Tho courts
bring security to persons and property;
the opening of the ports and invites the
restoration Of industry and commerce;
the postoffics renews the facilities Of So
cial intercourse and of business And is
it::not happy for US all, that the restora-
ton of each one Of these functions of the
general government brings with it a bles.
sing to the States over which they are OK
tendsd1 IL i. no. . sure promise OF har-
mony and renewed attachment to the Un-
MON that, after all that has happened, the
return ofthe general government is known
only ~ = beneficence
RISKS AND ADVANTAGES OF TIE PREsI-
DENTS POLICY.
l know very we'll that this policy is At
tended with some risk; that for its sue
cess it requires At Ieas. the scqu iescence
Of the States which i. concerns shat i.
implics 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 risk that nust
be taken in the choice of difficulties i,
is the smallest risk and to diminish,
and, If possible, to remove all danger, l
have felt it incumbent on mo to assert
one other power Of the general govern
ment-,he power of pardon. As no State
can throw defense over the crime Of
treason. the power of pardon is exclusive
" vested in the executive government of
the United Safes. In exercising that
power, have taken every precau.ion to
connect II with the cleares, recoe milton of
the binding force of the laws of the Uni.