Year: 1867

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 resentafipes:

 The continued Reorganization of tho Union to which the President has SC often called the attention of Congress is yet subject of profound and patri otic concern. We may, however, finG some relief from that anxiety in the reflection that the painful political sit uation, although before untried by our selves, is not new in the experience o1 nations. Political science, perhaps ai highly perfected in our own time and country as in any other, has not yet disclose any means by which civil war; can be absolutely prevented. An en- frightened nation, however, with wise and benificent Constitution of free government may diminish their fire. quency and mitigate their severity, by directing all it's proceedings in accord. ance with it's fundamental law. When civil war has been brought to close il is manifestly the first interest and duty of the State to repair the 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 termination of the re- bellion promptly accepted, not only by the Executive Department, but by the insurrectionary States themselves, and restoration as the first movement of peace was believed to be as easy and certain as it was indispensable. The expectations, however, then so reason- ably and confidently entertained, were disappointed by legislation from which felt constrained by my obligations to the Constitution to withhold my assent.

 It is, therefore, source of profound regret, that in complying with the ob- ligation imposed upon the President by the Constitution to give to Congress, from time to time, information of the state of the Union," l am unable to communicate any definite adjustment satisfactory to the American people, of the questions which, since the close of the rebellion, have agitated the public mind. On the contrary, candor com pels me to declare that till 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 the States are represented in both Houses of Congress where one State 1 is as free as another to regulate it's in ternal concerns according to it's own will and where the laws of the Central Government, strictly confined to mat ters of national jurisdiction, apply with equal force to all the people of every section. That such is not the present state of the Union is melancholy fact i; and, since we all must acknowledge that the restoration of the States to their proper legal relations with the Federal Government. and with one another, &C., cording to the terms of the original compact, would be the greatest ten- poral blessing which God in his kindest providence could bestow upon this na- tion, it becomes our imperative duty to consider whether or not it is inn possible to effect this most desirable consummation.

 RESTORATION MAY BE EFFECTED BY AD-

 HERRING TO THE CONSTITUTION.

 The Union and the Constitution arc inseparable. As long as one is obeyed by all parties the other will be pre- served and if one is destroyed both must perish together. The destrnc- ton of the Constitution will be follow ed by other and greater calamities' It was ordained not only ito form more perfect Union" between the States, but ito establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." Nothing but implicit obedience to its require ments in all parts of the country will accomplish this great end. Without that obedience we can look forward only to continual Outrages on individ- ual right, incessant breaches of public peace, national weakness, financial dis honor, total loss of our property, gen. eral corruption of morals, and the final extinction of popular freedom.

 To save our country from evils so appalling as these we should renew our efforts again and again. To me the process of restoration seems per- fectly plain and simple. It consists merely in faithful application. of the Constitution and laws. The execution of the laws is not now obstructed or opposed by physical force. There is no military or other necessity, real or pretended, which can prevent obedi- ence 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 consistent with funda- mental law. Courts may be every where opened, and if opened their pro- cess would be unimpeded. Crimes against the United States can be pre- vented or punished by the proper ju- dicial authorities in manner entirely practicable and legal.

 There is, therefore, no reason why the Constitution should not be obey ed, unless those who exercise it's powers have determined that it shall be disrc- garded and violated. The mere naked will of this Government, or of some one or more ofits branches, is the only obstacle that can exist to the perfect union of all the States.

 On this momentous question and some of the measures growing out of it, had the misfortune to differ from Congress, and have expressed my con- victions without reserve, though with becoming deference to the opinion of the legislative department Those con- victions were not only unchanged but strengthened by subsequent events and further reflections. The transcendent importance of the subject will be suf- ficient excuse for calling your attention to some reasons which have so strong ly influenced my own judgment. The hope that we may all finally concur in a mode of settlement consistent at once with our true interests and with our sworn duties to the Constitution is too natural and just to be easily relinquish- ed.

 THE UNION uNBRoKEN BY REBELLION.

 It is clear to my apprehension that the States lately in rebellion are still members of the National Union. When did they cease to be SO? The ordin- anees of succession adopted by DOT tion of those States, in most of them by a very small portion of their citizens,