The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-09

J.rI9uct,on, vast continental empire is
due to the system of States. The best
security for the perpetual existence of the
States Is the supreme authority of the
Constitution of the United States The
Perpetuty of the Constitution brings with
it the perpctuity of the States; their mu-
tual relation makes US what we are, and in
Our poiitica! system their connexion is in
dlssoluble. The whole cannot exist with
out the parts. nor the parts without the
whole: SO long as the Constit ution of the
United States endurcs, the States will en-
dure; the destruction of the one is the
destruction of the othcr-thc preservation
OF the one is the preservation of the other.
lave thus explained my views of the
mutual relations of the Constitution and
the States, because they unfold the princi-
pies on which l have sought to solve the
momentous questions and overcome the
appalling difficulties that met me at the
very commencement of my administration.
1t has been my steadfast object to escape
from the sway of momentarv passions. and
to derive healing policy from the funda-
mental and unchanging principles of the
Constitution
| found the States suffering from the
effects of q civil war. Resistance to the
General Government appeared to have
exhausted itself. The United States had
recovered possession of their forts and
arsenals; and their armies were in the
occupation of every State which had
attempted to secede. Whether the terri
tory within the limits of those States should
be held as conquered territory, under mill
tary authority, emanating from the Presi-
dent as the head of the army, was the
first question that presented itself for de-
clSlOn.
Now, military governments, established
for an indefinite period, would have offered
no security for the early suppression of dis
content; would have divided the people into
the vanquishers and the vanquished, and
would have envenomed hatred rather than
have restored affection. Once established,
no precise limit to their continuance was
conceivable. They would have occasioned
an lncalculable and eXhausting expense.
peacetul emigration to and from that por-
ton OF the country is one of the best means
that can be thought of for the restoration
OF harmony. and that emigration would
nave been prevented; for what emigrant
from abroad, what industrious citizen at
home, would place himself willingly under
military rule? The chief persons who
would have followed in the train of the
army would have been dependent on the
General government, or men who expected
profit from the miserics of their crring
fellow-citizcns. The powers of patronage
and rule which would have been exercised,
under the President, over vast, and
populous, and naturally wealthy region,
are greater than, unless extreme necessitv.
L should be willing to entrust to any one
man. They are such as, for myself, I
ooa!c never unless on occasions of great
emergency, consent to exercise. The
Wliful use OF such powers, if continued
through period of years, would have en-
dangered the purity of the general admi-
nlstration and the liberties of the States
which remained loyal.
Besides, the policy of military rule over
conquered territory would have implied
that the States whose inhabitants may
have taken part in the rebellion had, by
the act of those inhabitants, ceased to
exist. But the true theory is, that all pre-
tended acts Of secession were, from the
beginning, null and void. The States
cannot commit treason, nor screen the in
treason, any more than they can make
valid treaties or engage in lawful commerce
with any foreign power. The States at
tempting to aecede, placed themselves in
a condition where their vitality was i'm
paired, but not extinguished-thei func-
tlons suspended, but not destroyed.
But If any State neglects or refuses to
perform its Offices, there is the moro need
that the General Government should main
tam all Its authority, and, as soon as prac-
ticable, resume the exercise of ali it's
functions. On this principle have acted,
and have gradually and quietly, and by
almost ,mperceptible steps, sought to
ASoVCAS IiS AiS,iitAol CllCl VI Vic ScllcTdl
Government and of the States. To that
end, Provisional Governors have been ap-
pointed for the States, Conventions called,
Governors elected, LeSislatu es assembled,
and Senator'S and Representatives chosen
to the Congress of the United States. At
the same time, the Courts of the United,
States, as far "a could be done, have been
re-opencd, so that the laws of the United
States may be enforced through their
agency. The blockade has been removed,
and the custom-houses rc-establishcd in
ports Of entry, so that the revenue Of the
United States may be collected. The Post
Office Department rcnews it's ccaseless
activity, and the General Government is
thereby enabled to communicate promptly
with its officers and agents. The courts
bring security to persons and property:
the opening of the ports invites the resto-
ration OF industry and commerce; the post
office renews the facilities of social inter