Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsllow Citizens ofthe Senate and House
of RepreSentafiues

Germ. We may, however, find some re-
lief from tina, anxiety in the reflection
tha, the painful political situation, although
before unlried by ourselves, is no, new in
the experience of nations. Political SCI
ence. perhaps, SIS highly perfected in our
own times and country as in any other,
has not yet discovered any means by
which civil wars can be absolutely pre-
vented. An enlightened nation. howev-
er, with a wise and benefceni ConstlIu-
ton. Of free government, may diminish
their frequency and mitigate their severity
by directing all lis proceedings in accord
snce with its Fundamental law.
REcoNsTRuCTIoN.
When civil war has been brough, 10
a close, i, is mani(eslIy The first interest
and duty Of the Stale 10 repair The inJu-
ries which the war hac inflicted and 10
secure the benefit Of the lessons it teaches
as fully and as speedily as possible. This
duty was upon the termination of the re-
belIon promptly accepted. not only by
the Executive Department, but by The IN
surrecionary States themselves; and res
ioralion in The frs, moment Of peace was
believed to be as easy and certain as /!
was indispensable. The expectations
however, then so reasonably and conn
IDENTIFY entertained. were disappointed by
legislation from which fell constrained,
by my obligations TO the Constitution to
withhold my assent. 1t is therefore a
source Of profound regret that IN comply :
ing with The obligations imposed upon the
President by the Constitution, TO give TO
Congress from time 10 time information
Of The state Of The Union, am unable 10
communicate any defnilive adjustment
satisfactory TO the American people OF the
questions which, aimee the close OF the re-
beIlion. have sgita,ed the public mind.
On the contrary. candor compels me to
declare that al This time there is no Union
as our fathers understood the term, and as
they mean. il to be understood by US.
The Union which they established can
exis, only where all the States are repre-
scented in both Houses OF Congress,
"where one State is as free as another 10
regulate i,s internal concerns according TO
lis own will" and where The laws OF the
Central Government. strictly confined TO
matters of national jurisdiclion,a apply with
equal force TO all the people of every sec.
ton. That such is not the present Estate
OF the Union is melancholy fact; and
we all must acknowledge that The reslora-
ton of the States 10 their proper legal re-
latons with the Federal Government, and
with one another, according TO the terms
Of the original compact, would be the
greatest temporal blessing which God in
his kindesl Providence could bestow upon
this nation. Ii becomes our imperative
duty 10 consider whether or no, il is i'm
possible 10 effect this most desirable con-
summation. The Union and The Consli-
tuition are inseperable. As long as one
is obeyed by all parties, the other Will be
and if one is destroyed both
must perish together. The destruction
of the Constitution will be followed by
other and still greater calsmi,ie:. 1t was
ordained not only TO form more perfect
Union between the States, butte "eslab.
lish Justice. insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare and secure the bIes-
sings OF liberty to ourselves and our pos
,eriry." Nothing but implicit obedience
to its requirements in all parts OF The
country will accomplish these great ends
Without ,hst obedience. We can look for
ward only TO continual outrsges upon in
dividual rights, incesssni breaches Of the
public peace, national weakness, financial
dishonor, the total loss of our prosperity,
the general corruption of morals and The
final extinction OF popular freedom. To
save our country from evils so appalling
as iba, We should renew our efforts again
and again. To me The process Of resIo-
ration seems perfectly plain and simple,
1t consists merely in faithful application
OF The Constitution and laws. The exc
cu,ion Of the laws is not now obslructed
or opposed by physical force. There is
10 military or other necessity, real or pre-
tenueU, NUlCh Cdh P'N''"' w
the Constitution If either North OF South.
All The rights and all the obligations OF
States and individuals can uc protected
and enforced by means perfectly consist
en-, with the fundamental law. The
Courts may be everywhere open, and if
open, their process would be unimpeded.
Crimes agains, the United States can be
prevented or punished by the proper ju.
dcisl authorities in manner entirely
practicable and legal. There is, there
fore. no reason why The Constitution
should not be obeyed, unless those who
exercise its powers. have determined that
i, shall be dsregarded and violated. The
mere naked will Of this Government, or Of
some one or more Of lis branches, is the
only obstacle that can exist 10 perfect
union of all the States on this momen.ous
question. On come Of the measures grow
ing out Of it | have had the misfortune 10
differ from Congress. and have expressed
my convictions wilhou, reserve, though
with becoming Difference to the opinion
Of the Legislative Department. Those
convictions are not on Y unchanged, tut