Year: 1866

Government, to treat them with the Glen.
ency and kindness which will not fail to
win their Affection, and thus settle more
firmly the foundations of the Union, and
add additional luster TO the brilliant VIC
tories we have achieved. ri n1C,


/ know they have committed great
wrong, but ask. now that we have vlndi-
Gated before the world that no right exists
under our Constitution for a State to secede.
after we have exhibited a determination
which admits of no misconstruction or
doubt, that we will have but one Constitu-
tion and one flag, would 1t be the part Of
wisdom and magnanimity, in this hour OF
our triumph, to seek to crush and degrade
these men who we have determined shall
live with us as brethren Of the same COM
mon country?


No, sir no, sir; this Is the hour for elem
ency and forgiveness. Let us generously
say to these people, ''It is true, indeed, that
you have committed great crime in en-
deavoring to break up this Union, made by
the sacrifices, the toll, and the wisdom OF
your fathers as well as ours, but you have
abandoned your error and expressed your
desire to return to the common house,
hold. We know how to be generous In
the council chamber, as our armies have
been magnanimous, gallant, and brave in
the field, and however great has been your
error, you are still our countrymen. Come,
let us again be sincere friends. We trust
and believe that in the future'you will be
as devoted and patriotic to the Union as you
have been brave and heroic in mistaken
cause in the past. Let us once more unite
/ in the pleasing task of advancing the true
glory, happiness, and prosperity of our
common country. Come, let us enjoy as
equals and as brothers the rich blessings of
this priceless heritage which has come down
| to us from an illustrious ancestry"
Let us not forget, | beseech you, Mr..
| Speaker, the petition in that best of pray
ers which was pronounced by the lips OF
our divine Redeemer himself and which
was taught us at our mothers knee, "For-.
give us our trespasses as we forgive them
who trespass against u.s." And as we pros
trate ourselves in humble alteration before
the Supreme Ruler of nations, to beg His
blessing aud forgiveness Of our many trans
| gressions, oh let us not forget that He is the
common Father of us all, and that In order
that our prayers may be heard, we, too.
must forgive every one from our hearts.
Sir believe the pure precepts of Chris
| tian charity will be a much safer guide for
us in this crisis of our history than the,
| principles of hate and revenge. have al
WAYS been opposed to the doctrines OF Sc
cession. was determined in my opposition
to the rebellion. | have always been de-
voted in my attachment to the Union of
these States. All my interests are in the


North. There sleep the ashes of my an
cestors. There live my kindred and my


friends, those whose love and friendship
make life happy. But, sir, shall never
forget that every State of the thirty-slx is
part of my country, and that theifciti-
zens are my countrymen. | shall never


forget, Mr.. Speaker, that the independence
of this nation was achieved and the Union
of these States formed by the united toll
and sacrifices-the blood and wisdom OF


both sections; and my most earnest prayer


to-day is that this whole people may again


be true friends, and that all of these States


may once more gather around the common


altar of the Union, linked together as equals


by the strong and enduring ties OF mutual


confidence and Affection.