Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-12-04
The PRESIDENTS Message.
FeR0e CazeRso Of As Senate
and Ronse of ReDresentatioss

Union, to which the PRESIDENT mas so OFTEN
called the attention of Congress, is yet a
subject of profound and patriotic concern.
We may, however, find some relief from
that anxiety in the reflection that the pain
full political situation, although before un-
tried by ourselves, Is not new in the eXpe-
rience of nations. Political science, per-
fected in our own time and country as in
any other, has not yet disclosed any means
by which civil wa can be absolutely pre-
vented. An enlightened nation, however,
with a wise and benefcent CONSTITUTIONS OF
free Government, may diminish their fire.
ouency and mitigate their severity by di-
recting all its proceedings in accordance
with its fundamental law. When a civil
war has been brought TO a close, it is man
ifestly the first interest and duty of the
State to repair injuries which war has
inflicted and to secure the benefit of the
lessons it teaches as fully and speedily as
possible. This duty was, upon the termi-
nation of the rebellion, promptly accepted,
not only by the Executive Department,
but by the msurrectionary States them
selves, and restoration in the first moment
Of peace was believed to be as easy and
certain as it was indispensable. Expecta-
tons, however, then so reasonably and
lOuAlUtLAlf GuNClN dAAALus hNIE lCABDOAhlIu
BY legislation from which | felt cOnstrain-
ed by my obligations TO the Constitution
TO withdraw my assent.
II IS therefore a source of profound re-
gret that, in complying with the obligation
imposed upon the President by the Con-
stitution TO give to Congress from time to
time information of the state of the Union,
I am unable TO communicate any definite
adiustmentment, satisfactory to the Amer
.can people, ofthe questions which since
the close OF the rebellion have agiated
the public mind. 0nthe contrary, candor
compels me to declare that at this time
there is no Union as our fathers under
stood the term, and as they meant it to be
understood by us. The Union which they
established can exist only where all states
are represented inboth HOUSES ofCOngress,
where one state is as free as another to
regulate It's internal Concerns oceJfdiuE
TO its own will, and where the laws
which control the Government are strict
" confined TO matters Of national juris-
dicton, ana apply with equal force to ali
people of every section. That such iSnOt
the present state Of the Union Is n melan-
cboly fact. andw all must acknowledge
that the restoration of the States to their
DlOlCl anu ACEul lCAIliOuN Mitu Ii Z
eral Government, and with one another,
according TO the terms of the original COM
pact, would be the greatest temporal bles-
sing which God in his providence could
bestOw upon this nation. 1t becomes our
imperative duty 10 consider whether or
motif is impossible 70 effect this most de
sirable cOnsummatiOn. The Union and
Constitution are inseperable, for as long as
one is obeyedby all parties the other viii be
preserved, and if one is DESTROYED both
must perish together. The destruction or
the Constitution will be followed by 9th
er and still greater calamities. 1t was or
dained not only TO form a more perfect
union between the States, but tO estab-
fish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for common defense, promote gen
eral welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty TO ourselves and our posterity.
Nothing but implicit obedience to its re-
quiremenisi in all parts of the country viii
accomplish these great ends. Without
obedience, we can look forward only to
continued OutTages upon individual rights,
incesSant breaches of the public peace, ma
tional weakness, financial dishonor, total
loss of our property, general corruption,
and moral and final extinction of pOpu-
lar freedom. To save our country from
evils so appalling as these we should re-
new u efforts again and again.
To me the process of restoration
seems perfectly plain and simple 1t con-
slsts merely in a faithful application of
the Constitution and laws. The execu-
ton OF the laws is not now DISTRACTED or
opposed by physical force. There is no
military or other necessity, real or pre-
tended, which can prevent obedience to
The COnSututlOn, either NORM or South.
Ait right ana All obf3gattons or States and
individuals can be protected and enforced
by means perfectly consistent with the
fundamental law. Courts may be eYery-
where opened, and, if open, their process
would be unimpeded. Grimes against the
United States can be prevented or pun-
ished by the properjudicial authorities in
a manner entirely practicable and legal,
There is, therefore no reason why the
constitution should not be obeyed, unless
those who exercise its powers have deter
mined that it shall be ~disregarded and
violated. The mere naked will of this
government, or OF some one or more of its
branches. Is an obstacle that can exist, to
perfect a union of all the States. On this
mOmentous question, and some of the
measures growing out oft l had the mis-
fortune to differ with Congress. and | have
expressed my convictions withoutreserve,
though with becoming Difference to the
opinion of the Legislative Department
Those convictions were not only unchsng-
ed but strengthened by subsequent events
and further reflection. The transcendent
importance ofthe subject will be a sufici-
ent excuse for calling your attention 10
some of the reasons which have so strong
ly influenced my own judgment. 1 hope
thatsWe may all finally concur in a mode
oil settlement consistent at once with our
true Interests and our sworn duties to the
Constitution. 1t is too natural and too
justtO be easily relinquished.
1t is clear to my apprehension that the
States lately in rebellion are still members
OF the National Union. When did thew
cease TO b ESQ! The ordinances OF seces-
sion adopted by a portion OF their citizens
were mere utilities. five admitnoW that
they were valid and efficient for the pur-
pose intended by their authors, we sweep
from under our feet the whole ground upon
which we justified the war. Were those
States afterwards expelled from the Union
by the war? The direct contrary was
ayerred by this government to be its pur-
pose, and it was so understood by all those
who gave their blood and treasure to aid in
its prosecution. 1t cannot be that a sue |
cessful 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 ofse-
ccssion on the battlefield was not a tn
umph over its lawless principles: mol
could Congress, with or without the con-
sent OF the Executive, do anything which
would have tine effect. directly or indirect
", of separating States from each other /
To dissolve the Union is to repeal the
Constitution which holds it together, and
that is a power which does not belong to
any department of this government. or to
allofthem united. This is so plain that
it has been acknowledged by all branches
of the Federal Government. My prede- |
cessor, as well as myself and the heads Of
all departments, have uniformly acted up
on the principle that the Union is not only
undissolYed, but i~ndissoluble. Congress
submitted an amendment to the ConStitu- |
ton 10 be ratified by the Southern States,
and accepted their acts of ratification as a
necessary and lawful exercise of their
highest function II they were not States, |
or States out of the Union, their consent
to a change in the fundamental law of the
Union would have been nugatory, and
Congress, in asking it, has committed a
political absurdity. The judiciary also
gave the solemn sanction of its authority |
TO the same view Of the case. Judges of
the Supreme Court have included the |
Southern States in their circuits, and they |