The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Eezzoac- Citizens of The Senate


called the attention of Congress, is yet a
subject of profound and patriotic concern
We NAV, however, find some relief from that
anxiety in the reflection that the painful po-
litical situation, although before untried by
ourselves, is not new in the experience of
nations Political science, perhaps as high
" perfected in our own time and country as
in anv other. has not vet disclosed any
means by which civil wars can he absolutely
prevented An enlightened nation, however,
with wise and beneicent Constitution OF
free government, may diminish their ire
uuencv and mitigate their severity by direct
ING all its proceedings in accordance with
its fundamental law.
When a civil war has been brought to Il
close, it is manifestlv the first interest and
duty of the State to repair the injuries which
the war has inflicted, and to secure the ben
eft of the lessons it teaches as fully and
speedily rs possible. This duty was, upon
the termination of the rebellion, promptly
accepted, not only by the Executive Depart
ment, but by the insurrectionary States
themselves, and restoration, in the first mo-
ment of peace, was believed to be rs easy
and certain as it was indispensable. The
expectations, however, then so reasonably
and confidently entertained, were disappoin-
ted by legislation from which | felt con-
strained, by my obligations to the Constitu
ton to withhold my assent
1t is therefore a source of profound regret
that in complying with the obligation i'm
posed upon the President by the COnstitu-
ton. to give to Congress from time to time
information of the state of the Union. am
unable to communicate any definite adjust
ment, satisfactory to the American people,
,aI, oftI
rebellion, have agitated the public mind
On the contrary. caudOr cOmpels me to lie
clare that at this time there is no Union as
our Fathers understood the term, and as they
meant it to be understood by us. 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 ac-
cording to its own will and where the laws
of the central government, strictly confined
to matters Of national Jurisdiction, apply
with equal force to all the people of every
section. That such is not the present estate
of the Union is Il melancholy fact; and we
all must acknowledge that the restoration of
the States TO their proper legal relations
with the Federal government and with one
another, according to the terms of the ORR
ginal compact, would he the greatest tenn
poral blessing which God. in his klndest
providence, could bestow upon this nation.
1t becomes our imperative duty to consider
whether or not it is possible to effect this
most desirable consummation.
The Union and the Constitution are in
separabe. As long us one is obeyed by all
parties, the other will be preserved, and if
one is destroyed both must perish together.
The destruction Of the Constitution will be
1,v nth ctiI IL,
1t was ordained not only to form a more
perfect union between the States but to ''es-
tablish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare, and secure the blessings
OF liberty to ourselves and our posterity"
Nothing but implicit obedience to its re-
quirements in all parts of the country will
accomplish these great ends. Without that
obedience, we can look forward only to con-
tinual outrages upon individual rights, in
cessant breaches of the public peace, nation
al 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
appalling as these, we should renew our eff |
forts again and again.
10 ME the process OF restoration seems
perfectly plain and simple. 1t consists mere
ly in faithful application Of the Constitu-
ton and laws. The execution of the laws !
Is not now INSTRUCTED or opposed by physi-
cal force. There is no military or other ne
cessity, real or pretended, which can prevent |
obedience to the Constitution, either North !
or South. All the rights and all the oblioa-
lions OF States and individuals can be pro |
tected and enforced by means perfectly con-
slstent with the fundamental law The |
courts may be everywhere open, and, if open |
their process would be unimpeded. Grimes |
against the United States can be prevented |
or punished by the proper judicial authori
ties, IN a manner entirely practicable and le-
gal There is, therefore, no reason why the |
Constitution should not be obeyed. unless
nose who exercise its powers have determin-
ed that 1T shall be dlSreGarded and violated.
The mere naked will of this Government, or
OF some one or more of its branches, is the
only obstacle that can exist to perfect IN
ion OF all the States.
On this momentous question, and some of
the measures growing out of it. I have had
the misfortune to differ from Congress and
have expressed my convictions without re-
serve, though with becoming Difference TO
the opinion of the Legislative Department
Ihose convictions are not only unchanged.
put strengthened by subsequent events and
urther reflection. The transcendert imror-
lance OF the subject will be sufficient eycuse
tor Calling your attention to some of tho
'easons which have so strongly influenced
ny own Judgment. The hope that we NAV
I'll hnally concur in a mode of settlement
at once with our true interests and
With our sworn duties to the Constitution
too natural and too just to be easily re,
lnquished
1t is clear to my apprehension that the
states lately In rebellion are still members of
he National Union. When did they cease
be so? The " ordinances of secession -
dopted by a portion Gin most of them
cry small portion) of their citizens were
1ere utilities. If we admit now that thew
1ere valid and effectual for the purpose in,
ended by their authors, we sweep from nm IT.,
er our our feet the whole ground upon
'hich weiustfed the war. Were those States
iterwards expelled from the Union bv tho
'arE The direct contrary was averred by
ne government to be its purpose, and was
understood by all those who gave tbeir
lood and treasure to aid in its prosecution
cannot be that successful war waged for
lie preservation of the Union, had the Ice,aI
tect OF dissolving it. The victory Of fha
ations arms was not the disgrace of her
Ollcy the defeat of secession on +bo -