The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-04-05
The Presidents Message.

on NfpRh kNTA1lNh5
The continued Reorganization Of the
Union. TO which the President has 50 Of. ten
called the attention of Congress, is yet
sulicct OF profound and patriotic concern.
Wcmay however, find some relief from that
anxiety in the reflection that the painful
politi al situation, although before untnod
by ourselves, is not new in the experience Of
the nations. Political science. perhaps as
highly perfected in our own time and coun-
try as in any other, has not yet disclosed any
means by which civil wars can be absolutely
nrcvented. An enlightened nation, how
over. with wise and beuefcent Constitu-
ton of free government, may diminish their
frequency and mitigate their severity by d.
recting all its proceedings in accordance with
It's Fundamental law. When a civil war has
been brought to q close it is maniiestly the
first interest and duty Of the State to repair
the injuries which the war has inflicted and
IN secure the benefit Of the lessons 1t teach
es as fully and speedily as possible. This
duty was up0n the termination oi the rebel |
lion promptly accepted, not only by the Ex- |
eeutive Department but 10y the lnsurrtction /
ary States themselves and restoration in the |
first moment ol peace was believed 20 be as
easy and certain as It was indispensable
REoRErs.
The exrectations, however, then SO rcasoua-
blvend confidently entertained were disap-
nointed by legislation from which felt con-
strained bv nv obligations % the COnstitu-
tion 70 withhold my assent IL is, therefore,
a source of profound regret that M COM
plyipg with the obligation imposed upon the
President by the Constitution 20 give to
Compress from time 90 time information of
the State OF the Union. ! am unable 20 com
municate any definite adjustment satisact0-
nv to the American people, ,oi The questions
which since the cl0sC OF The rebellion have
aeitatod the public mind On the contrary,
candor compcls me 70 declare that at this
time there Is no Union AS our fathers under
stood the term, and AS they meant Il to be- un-
derstood by us The Union which they esiab-
lsbed can only exist where all the States are
represented in both Houses Of Congress. where
one State il as free as another to regulate its
internal concerns according to It's own will,
and where the laws of the Central Govern
ment strictly confined TO matters of Nauon-
al jurisdiction, apply with equal force 90 all
the people OF every section. That such IL
not the present state OF Toe Union is a mel
ancholy fact and we all must acknowledge
that the restoration OF the States to their
proper legal relations with the Federal Cow
ernmeut, and with one another, according
to the terms OF the original compact, would
be the greatest temporal blessing which God
in His kindest Providence could best0w upon
the Nation. II becomes our imperative duty
to consider whether Or not 1t is impossible TO
effect tins most desirable contamination
FEARS.
The Mon and the Constitution are inse.
parable AS long az one Is obeyed by all
parties the other will be preserved and il
one is destroyed, both must perish together
The destruction OF the Constitution will be
followed by other and still greater calami
ties Ii was ordained not only to form
more perfect union between the State. bu'
to " establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common defence, pro
mote the general welfare, and secure th,
blessings OF liberty to ourselves anG oui
posterity." Nothing but implicit obedlenc,
to its requirements. In all parts OF the coun
try, will accomplish these great ends. With
out that obedience we can look forward only
to continual outragcs upon individual rights
incessant Breaches Vi the public peace, ma
touai weakness, financial dishOnor, the tota
loss OF our prosperity, the general corrup
ton OF morals, ana the final extinction o
popular freedom 70 save orr country from
evils SO appalling as these, we should renew
our efforts again and again. 10 me th
process of restoration seems PERFECTLY Man
and simple it consists merely in faitbfu
application of the Constitution and laws
NOTHING PREVENTS RESTORATION, But Cos
GREss.
The execution Of the laws is not now oh
structed or opposed by physical force
There is no military or other necessity. rem
or pretended. which can prcvent obedienc
to the Constitution either North or South
All the rigbts and an the OBLIGATIONS d
States and individuals can he PROTECTED an,
tbe f,rd,y 49, '''iJ 1n,.s'en' VIZ
everywhere omen. and If oren. their nrcoes
would he unimnoded crimes aerinst m
United States can be prevented or nunishc
by the proper iudjclal authorities m man
ner entirely practicable and legd There is
therefore. no reason why the Consbtnti,,
should not Doe obeved ur'less tbose ,,,l'. ,,,,r
else its powers have determined tbat II shoJ
be disregarded and yioltted The moro ne
ked will Of this Government. or of some On
or more Of its branches. il the only obe,acl
that can exist to perfect union of ali m
States On this mouerious question an
! some OF the measures growing ont ri II
have had the misfortune 10 d,iI,r from (lon
gross, and have EXPRESSED NV co,yiotio,,
without reserve. thon.b win 6eco,oin,, AL
erence to the Legislative DEPARTMENT M
convictions are nor oulv unrbo,,,oa b.,
strengthened by SUBSEQUENT events and IN,
Their reflection. The tror.cen5er,t ;,,r,,
lance of the subject will he n sufficient ~
cuse for calling your atten, ion 10 SOM of m
reasons which have SO strongly influence