Year: 1866

In exercising that power, l nave


taken every prccaution to connect


it with the clearcst recognition OF


the binding force OF the laws of the


United States, and an unqualified


acknowledgment Of the great social


change Of condition in regard to
slavery which has grown out OF the
war.


The neXtstcp which | have taken


to restore the constitutional rela-


tons Of the States, has been an invi-


tation to them to participate in. the


high office of amending the Consti-


tuition. Every patriot must wish


for q general amnesty at the earliest


epoch consistent with public safety.


For this great end there is need OF
II concurrence Of all opinions, and
the spirit Of mutual conciliation.-
All parties in the late terrible con-
flict must work togotherin harmony
1t is not too much to ask, in the
name of the whole people, that, on
the one side, the plan Of restoration
shall proceed in conformity with a
willingness to cast the disorders OF
the past into oblivion; and that, on
the other, the evidence of sincerity
in the future maintenance Of tho
Union shall be put beyond any doubt
by the ratification 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 adop-
ton of this amendment is delayed,
so long will doubt, and jealousy, and
uncertainty prevail. This is the
measure which will eflace the sad
memory of the past; this is the
messure which will most certainly
call population, and capital, and Sc
curity to those parts of the Union
that need them most Indeed, it, is
not too much to ask of the States
which arenow rcsuming their places
in tho family of the Union to give
this pledge ofperpctual loyalty and
peace. Until it is done, the past,
however much we may desire it, will
not be forgotten. The adoption of
the amendment reunites us beyond
all power of disruption. 1t heals
the wound that is still imperfectly
closed; it removes slavery, the elc-
ment which has so long perplcxed
and divided the country; it makes
of US once more a united people,
renewed and strengthened, bound
moro than ever to mutual affection
and support.


The amendment to the Constitu-
ton 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 Legislature, and there
by complete the work of restora-
tion. Here it is for you, fellowcit-
liens of the Senate, and for you,
fellow citizens Of the House of Rep
resentatives, to judge each Of you
for yourselves, of the elections, re-
turns and qualifications Of your own
members.


The full assertion Of the powers
of the General Government requires
the holding of Circuit Courts of the
United States within tho districts
where their authority has been in
terrupted In the present posture
of our public affairs, strong objec-
tions have been urged to holding
those Courts in any Of the States
where the rebellion has existed; and
it was ascertained, by inquiry that
the Circuit Court Of the United
States would not be held within the
District of Virginia during the au-
tumn or early winter nor until Con-
gress should have San opportunity
to consider and act on the whole
subject" To your deliberations the
restoration of this branch of the
civil authority of the United States
is therefore necessarily referred,
with the hope that early provision
will be made for the resumption of
all it's functions. 1t is manifest that
treason, most fiagrantin character,
has been committed. Persons who
are charged with its commission
should have fair and impartial trials
in the highest civil tribunals Of the
country, in order that the Constitu-
ton and the laws may be fully vim
dicated; the truth clearly establish
ed and affirmed that treason is 8
crime, and that traitors should be
punished and the offence made in
famous; and, at the same time, that
the question may be judicially set
tied, finally and forever, that no
State of its own will has the right
to renounce its own place in the
Union.


The relations of the General Gov
ernment towards the four millions
of inhabitants whom the war has
called into freedom, have engaged
my most serious consideration. On
the propriety ofattempting tomake
the freedmen electors by the proc
lamation of the Executive, / took
for my counsel the Constitution it
self the interpretations of that in