Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-12-08

Gsnera Cover, ment bring. wilhita bes.ipg to the
States over which they are extended 10 not sure
promise OF harmony aud rene wed attachment 10 the Un-
ION that ter all that has happened, the Of the
General Government Is known only as benehcehoef
know vry we'll that this yohoy is attended with
risk that for is succest requires at least the
acquicscenoe Of the States Oh concefns that m-
plies an Invitation 70 those states, by renewing their al
legiance TO the Units States N u fun tons
as states Of the nion But Il is risk that must be
taken In the choice Of diou ties il Ia the smallest risk
and 10 diminish, and possible, TO removea danger,
have felt IL incum other powei
| OF the General Government-the power OF pardon As
no state throw defense over the crime Of treason,
the power ofpardon Ia xcusyey vested in the Execu-
tive Government Of the United States In exercising
that power have taken every pecauon to connect 1t
with the olearest recognition Of the binding force Of the
laws Of the United States and an unqualified acknowl.
sdgment Of tie great social change don In regard
to slavery which has grown out Of the Wal.
The next ep ~hioh have taken to restore the con-
stitutonal relations Of the SAten has betn invitation
them participate In the high office u amending the
Constitution. Every patriot must wish for general
lnn esty at the earliest epoch stent with public
afety For this great end the 10 need OF a ooncur
renee Of all opinions, and the spirit Of mutua eondha-
ton. All parties in the ate terrible conflict must work
ogether in hErmony. IL Is not too much 10 ask, in & {
name Of the Whole people. that side the plan
restoration shall proceed In conformity with willing
70 cast the dsordes Of the past INTO oblivion and
that the oher the evidence Of sincerity Ia the future
maintenance Of Union shall be pat beyond any doubt
BY the ratification OF the proposed amendment TO the
Constituor which provides for the abolition u slavery
forever within The limits Of country 60 long as the
adoption Of his amendment 10 delayed so long will
doubt and jealousy, and uncertainty prevail 1nis is
the measure when will tface the sad memory OF the
past this Is the which viii most certainly call
population, capital and security to those parts Of the
Union that need them Indeed, tits nor,oo much
20 ask OF the stat which resuminy their places
the family the Union to give this pledge u perpeiu
loyalty and peace Until 1t is DONE the past however
much may desire It, will not be forgotten The adop
on Of the amendment reuuites beyond all power OF
disruption. L. heals the wound that is still imperfecty
,osed 1t removes slavery the ement which las so
long perpexed and divided the county II makes Of US
once noIe united people, renewed and strengthened.
hound md IA mn nal a1e and
The ame dment 10 the Constitution being adcped, II
would remain for he States whose posers have teen
long in allegiance, to resume Their places in the two
branches Of the Ma iona Legislature aud thereby
plete the Of restoration. HeTet is foi you fellow
eEels Of he Senate, and for you fellow citizens Of the
Houte OF Representative, TO judge each OF YOU, for
yourselves OF the elections, returns, and Publications
OF members.
The full assertion Of the pores o. the general Gov
eminent requires the holding Of Circuit Courts Of the
United states hin the districts where Their authority
has teen In erupted In the present posture OF ou'
public atfas, str ong have been urged to hold.
ing those courts In any Of the SaJes where the rebellion
has existed and II vas AsseItaned by inquiry that the
Circuit Court OF the United States would OF be held
within he Distri / Ct Virginia during the autumn or
early ain until Congress should have oppof
tunity 10 consider and act on the whole aubect TO
your deliberations the restoration Of this branch OF the
civil authority q the Uni ed States 10 therefore necessa
ry referred, With the hope that early provision will be
made for the resumption u ali its functions 1t
II 81 that treason, fragrant in character has been
committed. Per ons who are charged with its commits
sion sh ud have fair and impartial trials In the highest
and the laws may be fully indicated the truth clea
y established and affirm hat treason Is cf that
uat rs should be punshed aud the otense made infl
and, at the time, that the question may he
dcislly settled, finally and forever that no State OF
Us ,wn will has the right to renounee its place in the
Union.
The relations Of the General Gov tnment toward the
four millions Of Inhabitants whom the war has called in
TO freedom, have engaged my most serious consideration
on The propriety Of attempting 70 make the freedmen
electors by the proclamation Of the Executive, oh
for my counsel the Constitution itself the
nj hat I'M hx
aries, and recent legislation by Congress Wh,n, the
first movement toward II dependence, the Congress Of
the United States instructed the several States TO insi
iute governments Of thir own, they left each state to
decide for itself the condition for the enjoy Of the
elective Franchise Durng,he perodof the Confederacy
qualifications OF electors in the several States and
within State distinction of qualifications prevailed
Nth re, ard the Off who be chosen. The
Constitution OF the United States recogn zes these di
verses when 1t snoins that in the choice OF members
Of the House OF Representatives Of the United States
the electors in each state shall have the quail atoms
requisite for electors Of the most numerous branch Of
| the state Legislature"
After the formation Of the Constitution, 1t remained
as before, the uniform usage for each STATE TO enlarge
the body OF its electors according to its judgment
and, under this system. State after another pro
cedsd to Increase the number Of it's electors until
universal suffrage something very 1t, is the gem
eral rule So fixed this reservation of power in the
habits Il the people and unquestioned has been the
Interpretation Of the Constitution that during the civil
war the late President harboed the pufpose-ccr
tany never ayowed the purpose q dsregsrdng 1t and
be found which. during the continuance Of hostiites
much less after their Close would have sanctioned
departure by the Executive from policy which has 81
unit rmly obtained Moreover, con cesson OF the elec
tive franchise to the freedmen by act Of the President
the United States must have been extend to all color
ed men, wherever found, aud must have established
change Of ufsge in the Northern, Middle, and est
en States, not less than in the Southern and Sou'h
western Such an act would have created new class o
voters. and would have been assumption Of power
by the President which nothing in the Constitution
| laws Of the United States would have warranted.
On the other hand every danger OF conf ct is avoided
when the settlement OF the ques ion is referred TO h'
several States. They each for itself decide thu
MEASURE and wheihs 1t is TO be adopted At once aud alb
solutey, introduced gradually and with oJnditit
In my judgment, the freedmen, II they chow patienc
aud anly virtues, will obtain participation il
the et Give franchise through the States than through
the Gtnera Government, even II 1t had power inter
vtne When the umult Of emotions that have been rails
ed BY the audiences OF the social change ,hall hav
subsided 1t may prove that they will receive the kindes
usage from some OF those on whom they have eretofor
most closely depended
But white have no doubt tina, now after the close
the war il is not competent for the General Government
10 extend the elective franchise in the several States
10 equally clear thai good faith requires the security
the freedmen in their liberty ami ih,r property, thei
hight TO ator aud their light 10 claim the just
then labor cannot too strongly urge dispassiona,'
treatment OF this subject which should be carefully ep
aloof from all party strife wemust void ha,ty ssu up
u ms Of any Latura impossbilty for the two Il
live side BY side In sau Of mutual teneht and 500
Will. The experiment involves US in no Inconsistency
let u.s. then. 90 and make that expeims mt In goo,
faith, and not be too easily dishearened The eountr,
need oil LABOR. And the heeomen need OF
ployment, culture q protection. While their right o.
voluntary migration sni expaatiln Is not to be ques
toned would not advise their forced removal and col
onixaiion. Let rather encourage the to norable
and useu indus ry, where MAJ be beneficial to them
serves e"s n the county AMI instead of basty an,ici
pauons OF the certainty q tue, let there be nothing
wanti TO the fair uia OF the experiment, The chan
in their condition is the tuhst on Of labor by
for the status OF slavery The freedmen fairly b,
accused u unwilngness to work 80 long doubt
aims about his freedom Of CHI ice In hs purs us and
the certainty Of his ecoverng his stipulated wages Ii
this the interests Of the employer and the ed
eide The employer desIes in his workmen spirit and
lacrty, aud these be secured othe
way And II the one ought be able to enforce the
tract so ought the other The public iatsIest will b,
best promoted II the several States viii provide
projection aud remedies tor the freedmen Until THU
10 in some way accom- lishsd here Ia chance tn,
advantageous use 81 their lAbo and the blame VI IL
success will not thsm.
know hat sincere philanthropy is earnest for III,
immediate realization OF iva Iemotest aims but time l.
slwAys element Ia reforn. IL Is Of the creates
acts record to have brought four million, Of people
into freedom The OF free industry be fArl
open to them and then their future prosperity
condition must, after ALL rest manly on themselves
they fall and 40 peTish away, let be careful that thu
failure shall be attributable 70 NAL Il justice
In all that relates 10 the destiny Of the freedmen wene
not be too anxious TO read the future any Incidents
which rom speculative point OF view, mig h rails,
Alaim, will quietly settle tn ms,lves.
Now that tlavcfy Is at an end OF near Its end, tn,
I n Il. ~. 49, 49, n II