The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-12-15

| TlSh uHQ w O,uiiiiihich5 "hNt "a poS"io'oi
to remove all danger, l have felt its
incumbent on me to assert one other
power of the Gcncrnl Government
the power Of pardon. AS no States
can throw q defence over the crime
of tretson, the power of pardon is ex-
clusively vested in the Executive Gov
ernment of the United States. In ex-
ercising that power, / have taken ev-
cry precaution to connect it with the
clearest recognition of the binding
force of tho laws of the United
States, and an unqualified acknowl-
edgement of the great socia! change
of condition in regard to slavery
which has grown out of the war.
The next step which | have taken
to restore the constitutional relations
of the States, has been an invitation
to them to participate in the high Of
fee Of amending the Constitution
Every patriot must wish for q general
amnesty at the earliest epoch consis-
tent with public safety. For this great
end there is need Of a concurrence OF
all opinions, and the spirit of mutual
Cancellation. All parties in the late
terrible conflict 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 res.
toration shall proceed in conformity
with q willingness to cast the disorders
of the past into oblivion; and that,
on the other, thoovidence of sincerity
in the future maintenance of the Union
shall be put beyond any doubt by the
ratification of the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution, which pro-
vides for the abolition Of slavery for
ever within the limits Of our country.
So long as The adoption of this amend.
ment is delayed, so long will doubt,
and jealousy, and uncertainty prevail.
This is the measure which will cfface
the sad memory of the past; this is
the measure which will most certain
ly call population, and capital, and Sc
curity to those parts of the Union
that need them most. Indeed, 1T Is
not too much to ask Of the States
which are now .resuming their places
in the family Of the Union to give
this pledge of perpetual loyalty and
peace. Until this is done, the past
however much we may desire it, will
not be forgotten. The adoption of
the amendment reunites us beyond all
power of disruption, 1t heals the
wound that's still imperfectly closed /;
it removes slavery, the element which
has so long porplexed and divided the
country; it makes Of us once more n
united people, renewed and strength
ened, bound more than ever to mutual
affection and support.
The amendment TO the Constitution
bomg adopted, it would remain for
the States, whose powers have been
50 long in abeyance, to resume their
places in tho National Legislature,
and thereby complete the work OF
restoration. Hence it is for You fol-
low citizens ofthe Senate, and for you
felow-c citizens of the House Of Rep:
resentatives, TO Judge, each of you
for yourselves, Of the elections, re-
turns, and qualifications of your own
members.
The full assertion of the powers ol
the General Government requires the
holding of circuit Courts Of the United
States within the districts where their
authority has been interrupted. In
the present posture of our public If
fairs, strong objections have been urg'
ed to holding those courts in any ol
the States whore tho rebellion has ex'
listed and it was ascertained, by in
quiry, that the Circuit Court of the
United States would not be held with
in the District of Virginia during the
autumn or early winter, nor unit
Congress should have an "opportuni
ty to consider and act on tho whole
subject" TO your deliberations this
branch of the civil authority Of The
United Statos is therefore necessari
" referred, with tho hope that carly
provision will be made for thercsump
ton of all its functions. It's mani
fest that treason, most ilagrant II
character, has boon committed. Per
sons who are charged with its com
mission should have fair and impair
tial trials in the highest civil tribunal
of tho country, in order that the Con
stitution and the laws may be fully
vindicated the truth clearly estab
lished and affirmed that treason is
crime, that traitors should bo punish
cd and tho ohenso made infamous
and, at the same time, that the ques
ton may be judicialIy settled, finall.
and forever, that no State Of It's owl
, will has the right to renouneo IL
, place in the Union
Tho relations of the General Gov
ernmort towards tho four millions Q
, inhabitants whom the war has callo
. into freedom, has engaged my mos
f serious consideration On the propr
f city of Attempting TO mako the freed
men electors by tho proclamation Q
/. the Executive, / took for my couusC
tho Constitution itself, tho interprc
tation of that instrument by its nu
3 thors and thoir cotemporarios, and re
4 cent legislation by Congress. Whoi
/. at the first movement towards indt
; pendence the Congress Of the Unite
y ltotoa instrnotnd thn aevpral SIntoa 1