American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-08-11


the objects Of the war, and they can be
preserved only by having republican
governments organized in harmony with
the Constitution, and such governments
can be organized only by the people Of
those States, then. manifeslly, it is not
only the right, but the constitutional du>
ty Of the people Of those States to organ.
ze such governments, and the govern
Of the United States can have no right
full authority to prohibit their organiza
lion. But this right and duty of the PEG.
pie of the several States can only begin
when war has ceased, and the authority
of the Constitution and laws of the Unit
ed States has been restored and estab.
listed and from the nature of the case
The Government of the United States
must determine when that time has come
at is question Of great interest, GER
tainly. but not, think, of great difficulty,
how and BY whom the Government of
the United States should determine VI hen
that time has come. The question wheth-
er de Iaclo governments and hostile pop
uIations have been completely subdued
by arms, and the lawful authority of the
United States restored and established, is
a military and executive question. 1t
does not require legislative action 10 as
certain the necessary facts, and from the
nature Of the case, legislative action can
not change or materially affect them. As
/ Commander,in Chief of the army and
navy, and as the Chief Executive officer
whose constitutional duty ii is to see thal
. the laws are faithfully executed, it is the
official duty OF the President to know
whether u rebellion has been suppressed,
and whether the authority Of the cons'i
tuition and laws Of the United States has
been completely restored and firmly es.
tablished. The mere organization of a
republican government in harmony with
The Union, by the people Of one Of the
existing States Of the United States, re
qures no enabling act Of Congress, and |
can find no authority in the Constitute
for any interference by Congress to pro
hibt or regulate the organization Of such
\ government by the people Of an exist
ing State Oft Union.
"On the other hand, it is clearly ncces-
sary that the President should act, SO
far, At least, rs to remove out of the way
military restrictions on the power Of the
people to assemble and TO do those acts
which are necessary TO reorganizs their
government. This think he was bound
10 do as soon as he became satisfied that
the right time had come After much
reflection, and with no such Partially for
executive power as would be likely to
lead me astray, | have formed the opin
ion that the Southern States are now as
/ rightlully, and should be as eFectually,
in tie Union as tLey were before the
madness of their people attempted to
carry them out Of it, and in this opinion
l believe majority Of the people OF the
Northern States agree. The work the
people ale waiting to Lave done, this
Convention may greatly help. if it will
elevate itself above sectional passions. To-.
more oil party schemes, despse the sor>
dId and petty scramJles for Offices, and
Ialriyrepresen the national instinct. Its
action cannot fail TO be beneficial TO our
country. Tie passions generated in
great and divided people by long and
bloody civil war rre deep and formida
bic. They are not confined to one sees
ton the yictors as well as the vanquish.
ed are swayed by them. They connect
themselves with the purest and tenderest
sensibiIites of our nature, with our love
Of country, with our love of those who
have laid down their lives in the contest,
with the suiIerings which war in multi .
piled forms always brings TO the homes
Of women, end which civil war, most Of
all, brings to the homes Of all an! these
passions, and The sharp and ready tools
Of party spirit, of self interest perycrsi,y,
and, most Of all, Of that fierce infaDuarion
which finds its best satisfaction in hatred
and its enIy enjoyment in revenge.
"No statesman who is acquainted with
the nature of man and the necessities of
civil government, can contemplate such
passions Without tbe deepest concern, or
fail to do what he FLY may TO allay
them. Hard enough will the work prove
to be at the best, but scrupulous re.
gard for the rights of all, and magnan.
imeus clemency are twice blessed they
both elevate and soften the powerful, and
they reach and subdue what law and
bay cannot control | believe there
is now general conviction among the
tho poopln m At tLis ur.ot ,pJ Jn,I,