Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-01-06

territory, under military authority
emanating from the President as
the head of the army, was the first
question that presented itself for
decision.
Now, military governments es-
tablished for an Indefinite period,
would have offered no security for
the early suppression of discomfort;
would have divided the people into
tho vanquishers and the vanquishod
and would have envenomed hatred,
rather than have restored affection.
Once established, no precise limit to
their continuance was conceivable.
They would have occasioned an in
calculable and cxhausting expense.
Peaceful emigration to and from
that portion Of the country is Que of
the best means that con be thought
of for the restoration Of harmony;
and that emigration would have
been prevented; for what emigrant
from abroad, what industrious citi-
zen at home, would place himself
willingly under military rule? The
chief persons who would have fol-
lowed in the train of the army would
have been dependants on the Gene
raj Government, or mon who OK
pected profit from the miseries of
their orring fellow-citizen. The
powers ofpatronage and rule which
would have been exercised, under
the President over q vast, and pop
ulous, and natural y wealthy region,
are greater than, unless under ex-
tremc necessity, | should be willing
to intrust to any man; they are such
as for myself, | could never, unless
on occasions of great emergency,
consent to exercise. The wilfull
use of such powers, if continued
through period Of years, would
have endangered the purity Of the
general administration and the lib
critics of the States which remained
loyal.
Besides, tho policy Of military
rule over conquered tcrritorywould
have implied that the States whose
inhabitants may have taken part in
the rebellion had, by the act ofthoso
inhabitants, ceased to exist, But
the true theory is, that all pretend
ed acts secession were, from the
beginning, null and void. The
States cannot commit treason, nor
screen the individual citizens vino
may have committed treason, any
more than they can make valid treat
les or engage in lawful commerce
with any foreign power. The States
attempting to secede placed them
selves in a condition where their vi
tality was impaired, but not exiting
uished-their functions suspended,
but not destroyed.
But if any State neglects or re-
fuses to perform it's offices, there is
the more need that the General Gov
ernment should maintain all its au-
thority, and as soon as practicable,
resume the exercise Of all it's func-
tions. On this principle l have ac-
ted, and have gradually and quietly
and by almost imperceptible steps,
sought to restore the rightful ener-
gy of the General Government and
Of the States. TO that end Provis-
ional Governors have been appoint
ed for the States, Conventions called
Governors elected, Legislatures as
sembled and Senators and Repre-
chosen to the Congress
of the United States. At the same
time the Courts Of the United States
as far as could bo done, have been
re-opened, SO that the laws Of the
United States may be enforced
through their agency. The block
ade has been removed and the GUS
tom houses re-established in ports
of entry, so that the revenue of the
United States may be collected. The
Post Office Department renews its
ceaseless activity, and the General
Government is thereby enabled to
communicate promptly with its Off
GERS and agents. The courts bring
security to persons and property;
the opening of the ports invites the
restoration of industry and com-
merce; the post Office renews the ia
cilities of social intercourse and of
business. And is it not happy for
us all, that the restoration of each
one of these functions of the Gene
raj Government brings with it a
to the States over which
they are extended? Is it not a sure
promise of harmony and renewed
to the Union that, after
all that has happened, the return of
the General Government is known
only as benificencc?
| know very well that this policy
is attended with some risk; that for
its success it requires at least the
of the States which it
that it implies an invita-
ton to those States by renewing
their allegiance to the United States,
toresume their functions as States
Of the Union. But it is risk that |
must be taken; in the choice of diff
o,,lt;oe - ;s 4ba ou,ollact risk. and /