Year: 1866

to receive the needful support it is no
| longer living measure, nor the subject
| of debate. or Of difference of opinion.
Another Congressional measure, called
I the Civil Rights bill, has been the subject
/ of conflict. That bill, now a law, has for
4 its objects the security OF civil rights ~
I the insurrectiOnarv States 10 was well
observed by the President in his annual
message that peaceful emigration to and
from that portion of the country, the
South ern States, is one Of the best means


that can be thought Of for the restoration
of harmony. 1t is possible interference


with such emigration was the only chief


objections to military rule, and by some


it is thought that the influence of class


legislation In favor Of the slaveholding


mOnopoly heretofore existing in the


Southern States would be strongly excl


ted to prevent peaceful emigration into


these States, and would exclude the Ia


boring population OF the North from the


soil of exubeTant fertility and friendly


climate. that productive region, embr9y


sing eight or nine States nearest the Gulf


of Mexico, and that hence civil rights IN


these States should be vigllently protect


ed by Federal laws and Federal trlbu-


nails Although the measures enacted by
Congress for this purpose failed to receive


the Executive sanction, yet having been


adhered to by a tWo-thlrds vote 10 each


House, they have now passed to the


statute book, aud ceased TO be subject


of debate.


Another measure, or series of measures,


of prime importance, now pending before
Congress, merits brief remark, namely,
the plan of restoration or tTuchoBs
as IL is sometimes called. To the plan
reported by the Joint Committee, have


not been able to give my assent. 1t CON
templates an amendment to the Eederal
Constitution, the third section oKproposed
article being in these terms Here the
amendment was quoted


1t is urged by the abetters of this plan
chat this third section is the vital one,
without which the others are of no value
Its exclusive action viii, no doubt com
mend it to the feelings Of many as a wise
and Just provision, but l am unable 30 to
regard It, because for four years it bids
Congress to exclude from voting for Rep
resentatiyes or Presidential electors all
persons who voluntarily adhered to the
late insurrection, giving It aid or COM
fort no matter what may be the cOndi-
tion of the country, nor what proofs of
present and future loyalty may be given.


An absolute bar Is to be erected for four
years against a large class OF persons.


A change Of circumstances and eondi-
tions often works rapid change in party
and political sentiments, and nowhere
with more marked result than In the
South. Il is believed that the elements
Of change are now at work there, stlmu
lating on the one side to loyalty, and on
the other tending to continued hostile
feeling In my Judgment every proper
Indictment to union should be fOstered
and cherished, and for Congress to limit
its own power by constitutional amend
ment for the period Of four years, might
be deplorable in its results. In those
who differ i accord the same honesty,
and perhaps greater wisdom than can
claim for myself AS the proposed plan
now stands, [ am unable to perceive the
necessity. Justice or wisdom Of the meas
ure, but having no place nor voice In
that body before which the measure IS
] disclaim any purpose to inter-
fere beyond the expression OF my own
opinion.


Having thus declared my views, as they
have hitherto been declared to those who
had a right to know them, on the materl-
al questions that have lately risen, or
are now pending, [ trust that your pur-
pose on this occasion is answered, and i
shall be glad if these expressions may
have any beneficial influence on this
question, the right disposition whereof
IS matter of s0lieitude to every patriotic
man. and Is deeply important to the peace
and tranquility of the country. Recog.
nizing the constitutional power OF all the
co. ordinate branches Of the Government,
the legislative. judicial, and executive,
aud entertaining for each the respect
which is due from every loyal citizen,
they receive, according to my best judg-
ment. the support which is required by
that Constitution which, after an uneKam-
pied conflict. has been upheld and sancy
tilted By Divine Providence through the
sacrifice of so much blood and treasure,