Year: 1865

/ otates, 10 resume tnelr functions as 6tate


of the Union. But it is a risk that mus


be taken in the choice of difficulties, i


is the smallest risk and to diminish


and, if possible, to remove all danger,


have felt it incumbent on me to asser


one other power of the General Govern


ment-the power of pardon. As no STATE


can throw defense over the crime o


treason, the power of pardon is exclusive
Ily vested in the Executive Government


of the United States. In exercising tha


power, l have taken every precaution tC


connect it with the clearest recognition o


the binding force of the laws of the


United States, and an unqualified &C


knowledgement of the great social change


of condition in regard to slavery which


has grown out of the war.


The next step which / have taken tC


restore the constitutional relations of the


States has been an invitation to them tc


participate in the high office of amending


the Constitution. Every patriot mus


wish for general amnesty at the


earliest epoch consistent with the pub


lie safety. For this great end there


is need of concurrence of all opinions


and the spirit of mutual conciliation.--
All parties in the late terrible conflict


must work together in harmony. 1t is


not too much to ask, 10 the name of the


whole people, that, on the one side, the


plan of restoration shall proceed in con-


formity with a willingness to cast the dis
orders of the past into oblivion and that
on the other, the evidence of sincerity in
the future maintenance of the Union shall
be put beyond any doubt by the ratifica-
ton of the proposed amendment to the
Constitution, which provides for the
abolition of slavery forever within the
limits of our country. So long as the
adoption of this amendment is delayed,
go long will doubt and Jealousy, and uu-
certainty prevail. This is the measure
which will efface the sad memory of the
past; this is The measure which will
most certainly call population, and capi-
tai, and security to those parts of the
Union that need them most. Indeed, it
is not too much to ask of the States
which are now resuuing their places in
the family Of the Union to give this
pledge of perpetual loyalty and peace
Until it is done, the past, however much
we may desire it, will not be forgotten.
The adoption of the amendment reuni:es
us beyond all power of disruption. 1t
heals the wound that is still lmperfectly
closed it removes slavery, the element
which has so long perplexed aud divided
the country; it makes of US once more
a united people, renewed and strength
eued, bound more than ever to mutual
affection and support.


The amendment to the Constitution
being adopted, it would remain for the
States, whose powers have been SO long
in allegiance, to resume their places in
the two branches of the National Legis-
lature, and thereby complete the work
of restoration. Here it is for you, fellow
citizens of t b Senate, and for you,
fellow citizens of the House Of Rep
to judge, each of you for
of the election, returns, and
qualifications OF your own members.


The full assertion of the powers Of the
General Government requires the hold
ing of Circuit Courts of the United States
within the districts where their authori-
ty has been interrupted. In the present
posture of our public affairs, strong OBJ
iections have been urged to holding those
courts in any of the States where the re-
bellion has existed and it was sscer-
tained, by inquiry, that the Circuit Court
Of the United States would not be held
within the limits of Virginia in autumn or
early winter, nor until Congress should
have ian opportunity to consider and act
IN the whole subject" To your deliber-
atoms the restoration Of this branch of the
,ivil authority of the United States is
necessarily referred, with the hope that
,arly provision will be made for the re-
sumption of al! its functions. 1t is mani
est that treason most fagrant in charae>
er has been committed. Persons who
ire charged with its commission should
rave fair and impartial trials in the high
,st civil tribunals of the country, in or
Ter that the Constitution and the laws
nay be fully vindicated the truth clear
v established asd affirmed that treason
$ a crime, that traitors should be pun
shed and the offense made infamous
md, at the same time, that the question
nay be judiciously settled, finally and
oreyer, that no State of its own will has