Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-12-11
Annual Message Of
a ANDREW JoHNSoN5 ,
Delivered December Sd. 1867.

FelLo,c- Citizens of the Sendte ana House
of Representatives !.
The continued disorganization of the u
Mon TO which the President has so often
,,.alled the attention of Congress, is yet a
'subiect of profound and patriotic concern.
We NAV, however, find some relief from
that anxiety in the reflection that the pain
ful poltical situation, although before un-
tried by ourselves, is not new IN the expe-
Renee of nations Political science, per-
haps as highly perfected In our own time
and country as in any other, has not yet dis
closed any means by which civil wars can be
absolutely prevented An enlightened ma
tion, however, with a wise and benehcent
Constitution of free government, may dl-
minish their frequency and mitigate their
severity by directing all its proceedings in
accordance with its fundamental law.
When civil war has been brought to a
close, it is manifestly the first interest and
duty of the State to repLir the injuries which
the war has infiictt d, and to secure the ben
eft of the lessons it teaches as fully and as
speedily as possible This duty was, upon
the termination of the rebellion, promptly
accepted, not only by the Executive De
partment, but by the lnsurrectlonary States
themselves, and restoration. in the first mo
nent OF peace, was believed to be as easy
aud certain as it was Indispensable The
expectations, however, then so reasonably
ami confidently entertained, were disap-
pointed y legislation froll which | felt con
strained, py my obligations to the Constitu
;lUn, TO withhold my assent.
1t Is therefore )urce of profouni regret
that, III complying with the obligation lm
posed upon the President by the Constitu-
ton, to give to Congress from time to time
information of the state of the Union, | am
unable to communicate any dehnltlve ad-
justment, satisfactory to the American peo-
pie, of the questions which, since the close
of the rebellion, have agltated the public
mind. On the contrary, candor compels
ne to declare that at this time there is no
Union as our Fathers understood the term,
and as they meant it to be understood by
US The Union which they established can
exist only where ali the States are repre-
scented in both Henses Of Congress; where
one State is as free ss sfether to regulate
Its internal cetUerhS sDcOi Ding &c It's own
will and where the laws Of the central
Government, strictly contne to matters of
national jurisdiction, apply with equal
force to all the people of every section.
That such Is not the present state OF the
Union is melancholy fact; anu we all
must acknowledge that the restoration OF
the States to their proper legal relations
with the Federal Government and with one
Rrother, according to the terms of the origi-
nal compact, would be the greatest tempo
ral blessing which God. in his kindest prov
ldence, would bcstow upon this nation. 1t
becomes our imperative duty to consider
whether or not it is impossible to effect this
most desirable consummatlon.
The Union and the Constitution are in
Separable As long as one is obeyed by all
parties, the other will be preserved, and if
one IS destroyed both must perish together.
The destruction of the Constitution will be
followed by other and still greater calami-
ties. |. was ordained not oniy to form a
more perfect union between the States, but
To establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide tor the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselvs and Our pos
leriJy. Nothing but implicit obedience to
its requirements III all parts of the country
viii accomplish these great ends Without
that obedience, we can look forward only to
continual outrages upon individual rights,
incessant breaches of the public peace, ma
tional weakness, financial dishonor, the to-
tai loss of our prosperity, the general cor
rupton of morals, and the final extinction
popular to freedom Tosave our country from
evils 50 appalling as these, we should renew
cur efforts again and again.
To me the process of restoration seems
perfectly plain and simple. 1t consists mere
y in faithful application OF the Constltu-
ton and laws. The executlonof the laws IS
not now obstructed or opposed by physical
force. There is no military or other neces-
slty, real or pretended, which can prevent O.
bedlence to che Constitution, either North
pr South. All the rights and all the obh-
cations ofStates and individuals can be pro-
tected and enforced by means perfectly con-
slSent with the fundamental law. The
courts may be everywhere open, their pro-
cess would be unimpeded. Crimes against
the United States can be prevented or pun
ished by the propef judicial authority, IN
hammer entirely practicable and legal.
here is, therefore, no reason why the Con
>ututlOn should not be obeyed, unless those
VINO exercise its powers have deternilned
mat 1t shall be disregarded and violated.
The mere naked will of this Government,
q OF some one or more OF It's branches, Is
lie Onl ly obstacle that can exist to perfect
4nlon Of all the States.
On this momentous question, anG some
81 the measures growing out OF 1t. nave
mad the misfortune to differ from Congress,
and have expressed my convictions without
reserve, though with becoming Difference to
The IN opinion Of the Legislative Department.
nose convictions are not only unchanged;
out strengthened by subsequent events and
.uFther reflection. The transcendent I'M
pOrtance of the subject will be a sufficient
y siAcuSe for calling your attention to some OF
Uie reasons which have so strongly inhuenc-
"a my own judgment. The hope that we
alay all finally concur in mode of settle
aeht, consistent at once with our true inter
ests and with our sworn duties to the Con
ntgtlon, is TOO natural and too just to be