The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-03
M Z S S A Q E
OF THE a
PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
SPECIAL JflfeaAa 70 the HERALD.

Tha following Is the Presidents Message In full
which will DO laid before Congress tom srow:-
zLLos CrraESs OF THE SENATE AND Housg or RErRE-
ssSrArxs:-
The Continued Reorganization OF the Union. TO which
tbs President has 30 often called the attention Of Con-
gress, yet subject Of profound and patriotic con-
We nay, however, ind soma relief from that
snarty m the reflection that the painful political siua-
ton although before unsred BY ourselves. 10 not new
10 the experience OF nations Political science per-
haps as highly perfected in time and country
as in any other. has not Jet disclosed
any by which civil wars can be absolutely pre-
vented. An enlightened nation, however, with wise
and beneGcent constitution Of free government may
diminish their frequency and mitigate their severity BY
directing all its proceedings In accordance with It's
fundamental law. When civil has been
brought 10 close II 10 manifestly the
first interest and duty Of State TO
repair the injuries which has inflicted and to secure
the benefit Of the lessons u teaches a. fully and
speedily as possible This duty was upon the tsrmina
rebellion promptly accepted, not only by tho
Executive Department, but by tho insuErectio9ary
States themselves and restoration In the rst moment
OF peace was believed TO be easy and certain Is Il
indispensable. These expectations, however, then
reasonably and confidently entertained, disap
pon by legislation from which felt constrained by
my obligations to the constitution, 10 withhold my
assent IL is therefore, Of profound regret
that In complying with the obligation mposedr upon
the President by the constitution TO give Congress
from time to time information OF tho stat .
Of tho Union, that ! am unable to commune ate
any definite adjustment satisfactory to the American
people questions which since the close Of the rebellion
have agtatsd the public mind On the contrary candor
compels to declare that At this time there s NO
Union fathers understood the tcrn and as they
meant u TO be underslood by the Union which they
established can exist only whore all States are
represented In both houses or Congress;
where State is as free al another to
regulate its internal according to its own will
and whore the laws Of central strictly
fned to matters Of national jurisdiction apply with
equal force to all the people of every section That such
IS not the present state OF tho Union melancholy
facl and we all must acknowledge that tho restoration
OF tho Satos their proper legal relations with the
federal government and with another, according
TO tho terms Of the original compact, would be the
greatest temporal blessing which God in his kindest
Providence could bestow upon this nation II becomes
imperative duty consider whether not it 10 i'm
possible to effect this most desirable The
Union and constitution inseparable; long
= obeycd by all parties tho other will be pre-
served, and ono ia destroyed both must
perish together. Tho destruction OF the consultation
will be followed by other and still greater caamtes It
ordained not only form perfect union be-
tween tho States but 10 "establish justice insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general welfare and secure
tho blessings OF liberty to ourselves and our
prosperity Nothing but implicit obedience TO its re-
qurcmsnts In all parts Of the country will accomplish
these great ends. without that obedience can look
forward only to continual oursgss upon individual
rights incessaut breaches OF public peace, national
weakness, financial dshcnor the total loss OF our
prosperity, general corruption Of morals and the
anal extinction Of popular freedom. To
try from evils so appalling these should renew
our efforts again and again. TO mo the process Of
restoration seems perfectly plain and simple It con-
sisA merely in faithful application Of the constitution
and the laws The execution Of the laws IL
not obstructed opposed by physical force;
there military other necessity. real pretended,
which can prevent obedience to the constitution, either
North or South. All rights and all obligations Of the
and individuals be protected and enforced by
means perfectly consistent with the fundamental law.
Tho courts may be everywhere opsn and II open then
their process would be unimpeded, and crimes
against tho United States can be prevented
or punished by proper judicial authorities in manner
entirely practicable and legal There L. therefore, no
reason why the constitution should be dsregarded and
violated the naked will Of this government or
OF some one or more Of It's branches. Is there any
all the States on this mcmentous question: and
somc OF the measures growing out Of ~ have had
the misfortune diror with Congress, and have
pressed my conviction without reserve though with be-
coming Difference TO the opinion Of tho legislative
department.. Those convictions are not only un-
changed, but strengthened by subsequent events
and further reflection The transccndant importance
OF the subject will be sufficient for calling your
attention Of the reasons which have 90 strongly
Influenced my own Judgment hope that may all
finally in mode OF settlement, consistent at once
with true interests and with duty TO the
con. tiluon which is natural and too just to be
easily relinquished. II is clear to my apprehension
that he States lately rebellion are ssIil members OF
the national Union. When did they cease 10 be 80
The ordinances OF secession adopted by por-
ton 10 most OF them . very small por-
ton--of their citizens uultisa II
We admit now that they valid and eecsual for the
purpose intended By 'hslr authors, We sweep from
uader feet the whole ground upon which Ne jus-
ned the war. Were those States afterwards expelled
from tho Union by wars The direct contrary was
averrsd by this government to Be ~ purpose and was
% understood BY ali those who gave their blood and
treasure to aid In it, prosecution. II cannos
b that successful wassd for The preservation Of
the Union bad the legal eject Of dssoving IL The
victory Of the nations the disgrace o. her
policy; the defeat Of secession The battle nsd vas
triumph Of lie lawless principle; could Congress,
with without the consent OF the Executive DO any
thing which would have the eject directly Indirectly,
OF separating the States from each other To dissolve
she Unon 10 10 repeal the constitution which holds
gsthsr, and that s power which does not belong 70
any department Of this government TO all Of them
united This IL so plain that u has bscn acknowledged
by oil branches Of the federal government The Exscu-
live lmy predecessor welt myssip and heads Of oil
the departments bavo unaformy acted upon shs prin-
cpls Union NO, ouIy uniissolvsd but ndia-
soluble.
Congress submitted an amendment. Of the constitution
20 DO ratified by The southern sa,ss and accepted their
acts OF ratification necessary aud lawful exercise Of
thor highest functions. n Trey not States,
we're States out OF the Usion their consent 10 change
n tho fundamental law Of tue Union would have bssn
nugatory, aud Congress- in asking 1T committed