Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsllop. Citizeas Of TIE Senate and House
Of Represeafdfires

~ Oiltu Nuiltu Aht oNNNhNfNh vi NtH-
gress, is yet a subject of profound and
patriotic concern. We may, however,
lind some relief from that anxiety in
the reflection that the painful political
situation, although untricd by our
selves, is not new in the experience of
nations.
Political science, perhaps as highly
perfected in our own time and coun-
try as in any other, has not yet dis.
closed any means by which civil wars
can be absolutely prevented an en-
lightened nation, however, with a
wise and benefcent Constitution of
free government, may diminish their
frequency and mitigate their severity,
by directing all its proceedings in
accordance with its fundamental law
When civil war has been brought to
n close, it is manifestly the first inter-
est and duty of the State to repair the
injuries which the war has inflicted,
and tosecure the benefit 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
Department, but by the insurrection-
airy States themselves, and restoration
In the first moment Of peace, was be.
lieved to be as easy and certain as il
was indispensable.
The expectations, however, then SC
reasonably ard confidently entertain
ed, were disappointed by legislation
from which l felt constrained, by my
obligations to the Constitution, to
withhold my assent. 1t is, therefore
a source of profound regret that in
complying with the obligation imposed
upon the President by the Constitu.
ton, to give to Congress from time to
time information of tho state of the
Union, am unable to communicate
any definite adjustment satisfactory
to the American people, of the ques.
tions which, since the close of the
rebellion, have agitated the public
mind. On the contrary, eandor CON.
pels me to declare that at this time
there is no Union as our fathers un-
derstood the torn, and as they meant
1t 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 reg.
ulate its internal concerns according
TO its will, and where the laws of the
central government, strictly confined
10 matters of national jurisdiction,
apply with equal force to all the peo-
pie of every section.
That such is not the present estate
of the Union" is a melancholy fact,
and oil must acknowledge that the
restoration Of the States to their prop.
er legal relations with the Federal
Government, and with one another,
according to the terms of the original
compact, would be the greatest tenn.
poral blessing which God, in his kind.
est providence could bestow upon this
nation.
1t becomes our imperative duty to
consider whether or not it is impossi.
BILE to effect this most desirable con.
summation. The Union and the Con.
stitution are inscparable. 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 followed by other and still
greater calamities.
1t was ordained not only TO form a
more perfect Union between the States,
but TO establish justice, insure do.
mestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings OF
liberty to ourselves and our posteri.
w." Nothing but implicit obedience
70 its requirements, in all parts of the
country, will accomplish those great
ends. Without that obedience we can
look forward only to the continual
outrages upon individual rights, in.
cessant 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 appall.
ing as these, VIC should renew our ef
forts against and again.
To me the process of restoration
soems perfectly plain and simple. 1t
consist merely in faithful applica.
tion Of the Constitution and the laws
The execution of the laws is not now
obstructed or opposed by physical
force; there is no military or othe,
necessity, real or pretended, which
can prevent obedience to the Consti.
tuition either North or South. All the
rights and all the obligations of State
and individuals can be protected and
enforced by means perfectly consist
ent with the fundamental law. The
courts may be everywhere open, and
If open, their process would be unim
peded. Crimes against the United
States can be prevented or punished
by the proper Judicial authorities in Q
manner entirely practicable and legal
There is, therefore, no reason why
the Constitution should not be obeyed
unless those who exercise its power.
have determined that il shall be dis
regarded and violated. The mere ma
ked will Of this Government, or O.
some or more of its branches, is tho
only obstacle that can exist to per
feet Union of all the States. On this
momentous question, and some of tn,
measures growing out of it, l have haC
the misfortune to differ from Congress
and have expressed my convictions
without reserve, though with becom
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