Year: 1867

WASHINGTON Dec. 8, 1851, +.
FellolO Citizens Of the Senate and


House of Representatives.
The continued disorganizaton of the Union to
which the President has often called the attention
of Congress- s yet subject OF profound aud patriotic
concern. We may, however, find some relief from
that anxiety in the reflection that the painful poit
cal situation, although untried by ourselves Is not
new in the experience of nations.
Political science, perhaps highly perfected in
own time and country as in any other has not yet
disclosed any means by which civil wars be alb
soutely prevented an enlightened nation, however,
with wise and benehcent Constitution of free GO
vernment, may diminish their frequency and mitigate
their severity by directing all its proceedings in
cordance with its fundamental law. When civil
war has been brought to close, it is manfesty the
first interest and duty of the State to repair the in
jures which the has inflicted, and to the
benefit Of the lessons it teaches, as fully and as
speedily possible This duty was, upon the termi-
nation of the Rebellion, promptly accepted not only
by the Executive Department but by the insurrec-
tionary States themselves and restoration in the first
moment of peace, believed to be easy and GER
tain as it was Indispensable.


Disappointed Expectations.
The expectations, however, then so reasonably and
confidently entertained, disappointed by legisa-
ton from which felt constrained, by my obligations
to the Constitution, to withhold my assent 1t is
therefore, Of profound regret that in comply
ing with the obligation imposed upon the President by
the Constitution, to give to Congress from time to
time information OF the state of the Union am un-
able communicate any dennitve adjustment satisac
tory to the American people OF the questions which,
since the close of the Rebellion, have agitated the
public mind. On the contrary, candor compels me to
declare that at this time there is no Union as our
fathers understood the term and they meant it to
be understood by us. The Union which they estab-
lished exist only where all the States are repre-
sented in both Houses of Congress- "where one State
ie aa frea aa Ia itS
ing to its 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
a melancholy fact, and we all must acknowledge that
the restoration of the States to their proper legal
lations with the Federal Government and with one
another, according to the terms Of the original
pact would be the greatest temporal blessing which
God, in his kindest providence, could bestow upon
this nation.


Our Duty.


1t becomes our imperative duty to consider whether
or not 1t is impossible to effect this most desirable
consummation. The Union and the Constitution are
inseparabe. AS long is obeyed by all parties,
the other will be preserved and if is destroyed
both must perish together. The destruction of the
Constitution will be followed by other and still greater
calamites


The Constitution.


It ordained not only to form a more perfect
Union between the States, but to establish Justice
insure domestic tranquility provide for the
Defense promote the general welfare and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity"
Nothing bnt implicit obedience to its requirements
in all parts of the country, win accomplish these great
ends Without that obedience we can look forward
only to continual outrages upon individual rights in
cessant breaches Of the public peace national weak
ness financial dishOnor the total loss of our prospe
ry, the general corruption OF morals and the fina
extinction of popular freedom. To save our country
from evils so appalling as these, we should renew oui
| efforts again and again.


To me the process Of restoration seems perfectly
plain and simple 1t consists merely I'm faithful APP
picaton of the Constitution and the laws The execn-
ton OF the laws is not obstructed opposed by
physical force there Is military other necessity
real or pretended which can prevent obedience to the
| Constitution, either North or South All the rights
and all the obligations of States and individuals can
be protected and enforced by means perfectly con-
4 sistent with the fundamental law. The courts may
be everywhere open, and, If OPEN their process "ouu
he unimpeded Crimes against the United States can
he preyented or punished by the proper Judicial au-
/ thorities in manner entirely practicable and legal
| There is therefore, no reason why the Constitution
should not be obeyed unless those who exercise its
noyera have determined that II shall be disregarded
and violated. The mere naked wiz OF this govern
rent or OF some one of its branches, is the
only obstacle that exist to perfect Union of all
| the States On this momentous question, and some
i Of the measures growing out Of 1t, have had the
misfortune to differ from Congress, and have ex-
pressed my convictions without reserve, thougiwith
becoming Difference to the opinions OF the Legislative
Department ar.


The Presidents Position Unchanged.
\ Those convictions are not only unchanged, but
strengthened by subsequent events aud further re-
hectop. The tanseendent Importance Of the subject
will A anfdcianA axcuaa far calling vour IN