The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1867-12-11
THE MESSAGE
-OF THE
President Of the United states.

FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND
House OF REPREsENIATl vEs-The continu.
ed dis-arganizationo OF the Union, Ito which the
President has so often called the attention
of Congress, is yet a subject of profound
and patriotic concern. We may, however,
find some reliet from that anxiety in the
reflection that so painful a political situa-
ton, although before untried by ourselves,
is not new in the experience Of nations.
| Political science, perhaps as highly per,
| feet incur time and country as in any other,
has not yet disclosed any means by which
civil wars can be absolutely prevented.
An enlightened nation, however, with a
wise and benefcent constitution of free gov
ernment, may diminish their frequency and
mitigate their severity by directing all its
proceedings in accordance with its funda-
mental law When civil war has been
| brought to q close, it is manifestIy the first
interest and duty Of the State to repair the
injuries which the war has inflicted; and to
secure the benefit of the lessons it teaches,
A. fully and speedily as possible This duty
was, upon the termination of the rebellion,
promptly accepted, not only by the Execu-
tive Department, but by the insurrectionary
States themselves, and restoration in the
first moment of peace was believed to be as
easy and certain as it was indispensable.
Expectations, however, then so reasonably
and confidently entertained, were disap>
pointed by legislation from which felt con-
strained, by my obligations to the Constitu>
ton, to withhold my assert.
THE STATE OF THE UNION.
| 1t is, therefore. a source of profound re-
gret that, in cor plying with the obligation
imposed upon the President by the Consti-
tuition to give to Congress, from time to
time, information of the state of the Union,
am unable to communicate any definite
Adjustment satisfactory to the American
people, Of questions which, since the close
Of the rebellion, have agitated the public
mind Of the country. Candcr compels me
to declare that all this time there is no Un>
ion az our fathers understood the term, and
as they meant it to be understood by u.s.
The Union which they established can exist
only where all the States are represented In
both Houses of Congress. where one State
is as free as another to regulate its Internal
concerns according to its own will, and where
the laws of the central government are
strictly confined to matters of national jure
isdiction, and which apply with equal force
to all the people of every section. That
such is not the present state Of the Union
is melancholy tact, and we all must ac.
knowledge that the restoration of the States
to their proper legal relations with the Fed
eral Government, and with one another, ac
cording to +he terms of the original com
pact, would be the greatest temporal bless
ing which God in his kindest Providence
could brstOW upon this nation.
1t becomes our imperative duty to consid-
er whether or not it is impossible to effect
this most desirable contamination. The
Union and the Constitution are insclalable.
As long as one is obeyed by all parties, the
other will be preserved; and if one is dc
stroyed, both must perish together. The
destruction of the Constitution will be to.lN
lowed by other and still greater calamitles.
1t was ordaired not only to form Il more
perfect Union between the States, but ITO
establish justice, insure domestic tranquil
ty, provide for the common defense, pro
mote the general welfare, and to secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and cur
pnsterity" Nothing but implicit obedi
encc to its requirements in all parts of conn
try will accomplish these great ends.-
Without that obedience we can look forward
only to continual outrages upon individual
rights, incessant breaches Of the public
peace, national weakness, financial dlshonOr,
total loss OF our property, general corrup>
ton Of morals, and final extinction of pop
uar freedom TO save our country from
| evils so appalling as these we should renew
| our efforts again and again.
The PROCESS OF RESTORATION
To me the process Of restoration seems
perfectly plain and simple 1t consists main
ly faithful application of the Constitution
and laws. The execution Of the laws is not
now obstructed or opposedby physlcisl force,
| There is no military or other necessity, real
or pretended, which can prevent obedience
to the Constitution. Either North or South,
| all rights and all obligations of States ard
individuals, can be protected and enforced
by means perfectly consistent with the
fundamental law. The courts may be every
where open, and If open, their process
would be unimpedcd. Grimes against the
United States can he prevented or punished
by the proper judicial authorities in man,
ner entirely practicable and legal There is,
therefore, no reason why the Constitution
should not be obeyed, unless those who ex~
ercisc it's powers have determined that it
should be disregarded and violated. The
mere naked will of this Government, or Of
some one or more Of its branches, is the
| Only UDsl llllU Cdll CAlSL W pGlltCh thC
union Of all the States
On this momentous question, and on some
of the measures growing out of it, | had
the misfortune to differ from Congress, and
have expressed my conviction without re-
serve, though with becoming Difference to
the opinion of the legislative department.
Those convictions were not only unchanged,
but strengthened, by subsequent events and
No A,f
portance of the subject will be a sufficient
excuse tor calling your attention to some OF
the reasons which have strongly Influenced
my own judgment. The hope that We may
all finally concur in q mode of settlement
consistent at once with our sworn duties to
the Constitution, is too natural ard too just
to be easily reliDquished.
AN OLD ARGUMENT
1t is clear to my apprehension that the
States lately in rebellion are still members
cease to be so2 Ordinances of secession,
adopted by a portion OF their citizens were
mere nullities. Ii VIC admit now that they
were valid and etfectual for the purpose in.
tended by their authors, we sweep from un-
der our feet the whole gronnd uron which
we justified the war. Were those States
afterward expelled from the Union by the
war? Directly the contrary was averred by
this Government to be its purpose, and was
so understood by all those who gave their
blood and treasure to aid in its prosccuticn
1t can not be that successful war waged
for the preservation of the Union had the
legal effect Of dissolving it. The victory of
the nations arms was not the disgrace Of
her policy. The defeat of secession on the
battle. field was not the triumph or its law
less principle. Nor could Congress, with
or without the consent of the Executive. do