Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-12-09
rHr PARpoNrxe POWER.

" requires Nv ttutt Tue hcQutosCtuco " tuo
State which I, concerns that II implies an
Invitation 10 those States. by renewing
their allegiance to the United States, to
resume their functions as States OF the
Union. Bot Il Is risk that must be taken;
in the choice Of difficulties, itis the smallest
risk and to diminish. and. II possible, to
remove oil danger, have felt II incumbent
on me 10 assert one otb0r power Of the
General Government--the power OF par
don. As no State can throw defence
over the crime OF treason, the power Of
pardon Is exclusively vested 10 the Eyecu
tive Government Of the United States. In
exer cisiog that power, have taken every
precsution TO connect II with the dearest
recognition Of the binding force Of the laws
OF the United States, aud on unqualified
scknow Judgement Of the great social change
Of condition In regard TO slavery which has
grown out Of the war. "' /
THE CONSTITUTIONAL ANESDNsNr
The next step which / have taken to
restore the constitutional relations Of the
States, has been an invitation 10 them TO
participate 10 the high ,ffice of amending
the Constitution. Every patriot must wish
for Q general amnesty at the earliest epoch
consistent with public safety. For this
great end there is need Of concurrence Of
all opinions, and the spirit Of mutual con.
ciliation. All parties in the late terrible
coDfict must work together in harmony
1t is not too much to ask, in the name Of
the whole people, that, on the one side. the
plan of restoration shall proceed in con.
formity with will Dgness 10 cast the dis.
orders Of the past into oblivion and that,
on the other, the evidence of sincerity in
the future maintenance Of the Union shall
be put beyond any doubt by the ratification
of the proposed amendment to the CoDsti-
tuition, which provides for the abolition, of
slavery forever within the limits of our
country. So long. as the adoption Of this
ameodmeD, is delayed, SO long will doubt
and Jealousy aud uncertainty prevail. This
is the measure, which will eiface the sad
memory Of the past this is the measure
which will most certainly call population
and capital, and security TO those parts OF
the Union that need them most. Indeed,
il is not too much TO AK Of the States
which are now resumng their places in the
family of the Uuion to give this pledge Of
perpetual loyalty and peace. Until il is
done, the past, however much we may de.
sire it, will not be forgotten. The adoption
of the amendment reunites Us beyond all
power OF disruption. 1t heals the wouud
that is still imperfec,ly closed il removes
slavery, the element which has so loug
perple xed and divided the country il
makes Of US once more q uuited people.
renewed and s,reng thened. bound more
than ever TO mutual affection aud support.
. THE REBEL REPRE,ESTATIvEs. la.
The amendment to The Constitution be.
ing adopted. it would remain for the States
whose powers have been so long 10 abey
snce, to resume their places IN the two
branches Of the National Legislature, and
thereby complete the work Of restoration
Here it is for you, fellow.ci,iz,Ds Of the
Senate, aud for you, fellow. ci,izeus Of the
House Of Representatives, to judge, each
of you for yourselves. Of the elections, re-
tprns, and qualifications Of your own
members. r@a b.
THE c. uRrs--JETT. DAVIS TO BE TRIED.
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 been interrupted. 10 the present pos.
ture Of our public affairs. s'rong objections
have been urged to holding those courts in
any of tho States where the rebellion has
existed and it was ascertained 10y inquir y
that the Circuit Court Of The United States
would not be held within the District oi
Virginia during the autumn or early winter,
nor until Congress should have ian 0ppor.
tuni,y to consider and act on the whole
subject" To your deliberations the resto.
ration Of this branch Of the civil authority
of the Uuited States is therefore necessarily
referred. with the hope that early provision
will be made for the resumption Of all ils
functions. 1t is manifest that treason,
mos; fragrant in character, has been com
mitied. Persons vho are charged with its
commission should have fair and impartial
trials 10 the highest civil tribunals Of The
country in order that the Constitution snG
the laws may be fully virdicated tn,
truth clearly established and affirmed tba
treason is crime, that traitors should b.
punished and the offense made infamous
and, at the same time, that the queriio
may be judicially settled, finally and for
ever, that no State OF It's own will has tb
right 10 renounce It's place in the Uuion.
| NEGRO SUFFRAGE. s
The relations of the General Govsrnmen
towards the four millions Of inha bilsnt
whom the war has called into fieedom
have engaged my most serions consideration
On the pIoprie,y Of attempting to max
the freedmen electors by the proclamation
of the Executive, took for my coanse
the Constitution itself, the Interpretation
of that iustrument by its authors and thei
contemporaries, and recent legisla len b
Congress. When, at the 6rst mosemen
towards Independence. the Congress Of th
United States instructed the several State
10 institute governments OF their owu, the
left each State to decide for itself th
conditions for the enjoy ment Of the electiv
franchise. Daring The period OF the Con
federacy, there continued to exis' yer
great diversity 10 the qualifications G
electors IN tSe several StA,e.; and eve
within Q state . DISTINCTION Of qualities
lions prevailed with regard TO the officer
i who we're to be chosen. The Constitutio
Of the United States recognizes these d
II varsitiss vxhan II a,f, ,,ina that in tha ehair