The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-12-13
CHARLESTON KANAwHA COUNTY, WEST VA WEDNESDAY, DECENB

enforced through their agency. The blockade
has been removed and the custom houses re-
established 10 ports Of entry, 80 that the rev.
euuc Of the United States mny be collected.
The Post-ofice Department reaews its cease
less 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 restoration OF industry
and commerce; the post.othcc rcnews the IN.
cilities Of socinl intercourse md OF business.
And is it not happy for US oil, that the restor'
ntion Of each one Of these functions OF the
General Government brings with il blessing
TO the States over which they ore extcndedT
Is it not sure promise Of harmony and re.
newed attachment to tho Union that, after all
that has happened the return OF the Gcneral
Government is known only MS benetcenee'
know very well TIM, this policy is attend.
ell with some risk that for its success 1t re-
quireg q, least the 0cquiescencc Of tho States
which it concerns; that it implies an invita-.
ton 10 those States, by renewing their allesl'
ancc 10 the United States, TO resume their
functions rs States OF the Union. But 1t is
risk that must DC taken; in the choice Of diff
fculties, it is the smallest risk; and 10 di-
minish, and, if possible, to remove all danger,
| have felt it incumbent on me to assert one
other power ofthc General Govcrnment-thc
power Of pardon. AS no State can throw de-
fence over the crime Of treason, the power OF
pardon is exclusively vested in the Executive
Government Of the United States. In cxer-
cisug that power, have taken every precau'
tion TO connect it with the clcarest recogni-
! ,ion Of the binding force Of the laws OF the
United States, and m unqualified acSno~i'
edgement Of the great social change OF eond'-
ton in regard TO slavery, which has grown
out Of the war.
! The next step which have taken 10 restore
: the constitutional relation of the States has
been an invitation to them 10 participate in
the high office Of amending the Constitution.
Every pntriu, must wish for general amnesty,
at the carlies, epoch consistent with public
safety For this great end there is need OF
concurrence Of ali opinions, and the spirit OF
mutual Cancellation. All parties in the late
terrible conflict must work together in har-
mony. 1t is not too much to ask, in the name
Of the whole people, that, on the one side, the
plan o: restoration shall proceed in conform.
ity with n willingness TO cast the disorders OIL
the past into oblivion and that, on the other,
the evidence Of sincerity in the future main-
tenance of the Union, shall be put beyond any
doubt by the ratification Of the proposed amend
mcnt Of the Constitution, which provides
for the abolition Of slavery, forever, within
tho limits Of our country. So long ms the
adoption Of this amendment is delayed, sc
long will doubt and jealousy, and uncertain.
ty prevail. THIS is the measure which Will
etEace the sad memory Of the pnst; this ls the
measure which will most certainly call popu
ation, and capital, and security to those part,
of the Union that need them most. Indeed, Il
is not too much to ask Of the States whici
are now resuming their places in thc family
the Union to give this pledge Of pcrpetua
loyalty and peace. Until it is done, the past
however much we may desire it, will not b'
forgotten. The adoption Of the amcndmcn
rcunitcs us beyond MI power Of disruption
1t heals The wound that is still imperfect,
closed; it removes slavery, the element whici
has 50 long perplexcd aul divided the conn
try: il makes 0: us once more united people
renewed and strengthened, hound more thnr
ever TO mutual affection and support.
The amcndmen, 10 the Constitution being
adopted, it would remain for the States, whose
powers have been so long in abeyancc, to re
sumo their places in the Two branches Of th,
National Legislature, aud thereby complete
the work Of restoration. Here it is for you
fellow -cilizcns of the Senate and House o
REPRESENTATIVES, to judge, each Of you FOL
yourselves, Of the elections, returns and quail
hcations Of your own members.
The full assertion Of the powers Of the Cen
eral Government requires the holding Of Cir
cuit Courts of The United States within tht
districts where their authority has been inter
rupted. In the present posture Of our public
affairs, strong objections have been urged tc
holding those courts in any Of the State:
where the rebellion has e1isted; and it VA!
ascertaincd, by inquiry, that the Circuit Conr
of the United States would not be held within
the District Of Virginia during the Autumn OF
carly Winter, nor until Congress should have
tan opportunity TO consider and act on the
whole subject" To your deliberations the
restoration of this branch Of tho civil author
ity of the United States is therefore necessarily
referred, with the hope that early provision
will he made for the resumption ot al! ts
functions. 1t is manifest that treason, most
lagrant in character, has been committed
Persons who are charged with i's commission
should have fair and impartial trials in the
highest civil tribunals Of the country, in or
der tina, the Constitution and the laws may
be fully vindicated; the truth clearly cstab'
lished and affirmed TINT treason is crime
that traitors should be punished and the
ofTen.c made infamous; md, at the same
time, TINT the question may be judicially SET
tied, finally and forever, TINT 10 State OF us
own will has the right TO renouncc its place IN
the Union.
The relations Of the General Government
toward the four million Of Inhabitants whom
the war has called into freedom, have engnSed
nv most serious consideration. On the pro-
priety of attempting to make the freedmen
electors by the Proclamation Of the Executive
| took for my counsel the Constitution itself
the interpreiations Of that instrument by Its
authors and their cotcmporaries, and recent
LEGISLATION by Congress. When. Mt the frs
movement toward independence, the Congress:
of the United States instructed the several
S,atcs to institute governments OF their own
ibcv left cach State to decide for itself the
conditions for the enjoyment oil the eiecuVe
franchise. During the period OF the Eonied'
crncy, there continued to exist very great
diversity in the qualifications OF electors IN
| The several States; and even within StH'e o
distinction Of qualifications prevailed Win
recard 10 the officers who were TO be chosen
, The Constitution Of the United States ree"s'
n;z.s these diversi,ies when it cnjoins that
! in the choice Of members Of the House OIL KEEP
roocnt.tiycs Of the United States, "the elec.