Year: 1867




The continued disorganization of the
Union TO which the President has so often
called tho attention of Congress is yet q
subject of profound and patriotic concern.
We may, however, find some relief from Tint
anxiety in the reflection that the painful
political situation, although before untrcl
by ourselves, is not ncw in tho experience
Of nations. Political science, perhaps as
highly perfected in our own imo and coun
try as in any other, has not yet disclosed
absolutely prevented An enlightened ma
ton, However, with a wise and bcncicent
Constitution Of free government, my di-
minish their frequency aud mitigate their
seyerity by directing all its proceedings
in accordance with it's fundamental law.


Whom civil war has been brought 10 n
close it ~ manifestly the first interest and
duty Of The State TO repair tho injuries
which the war has inflicted, and 10 secure
tho benefit of tho lessons il teaches rs fully
and as speedily as possible. This duty
was, upon the termination Of the rebellion,
promptly accepted, not only ny the Exccu-
tive Department, but by the insurrectionary
States themselves, and restoration, in tho
first moment of peace, was believed to be as
easy and certain ns it was indispensable.





bly, and confidently entertained, were dis
appointed by legislation from which | felt
constrained, by my obligations 10 the Con-
stitution. to withhold my assent.


It is therefore q source Of profound re-
gret that, in complying with the obligation
imposed upon the President by the Const,
tuition, TO give toCongrcss from time TO
time information Of tho state of the Union,
I am unable to communicate any definite
adjustment, satisfactory to the American
people, Of tho questions which, since tho
close Of the rebellion, have agiiated tho
public mind. On the contrary, candor
oompels me to declare that at this time
thcrc is no Union as our fathers under
stood the term, and rs they meant it to be
understood by us. The Union which they
established can exist only where all the
S.ateSsre represented in both Houses of
O6sslsSss; where ono State is as free as
another to regulate Its informal concerns
according to.ts own will, and where the
laTs Of tho 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 q melancholy fact ;
and wo all must acknowledge that the
restoration of the States to their proper
legal relations with tho Federal Govern.
mept and witn one another, according to
the terms Of the original compact, would be
the greatest blessing which God, in his
kindest providence, could bestow upon this
nation II becomes our imperative duty to
consider whether or not il IL impossible to
effect This most desirable consummation.


THE UNION AID CONSTITUTION iNsEPARABLR


The Union and tho Constitution arc
inseparable As long as one Is obeycd by
oil parties, tho other will be preserved, and
if one is destroyed both must perish togeth
Or Tho destruction Of Tho Constitution
will be followed by other and still greater
calamities. 1t wns ordained not only tt
form o more perfect union between the
States, but to "estabhsh justice, insure do
mestio tranquility, provide fos tho common
defence, promote the general welfare, and
Z. secure the blessings Of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity." Nothing but implicit
obedience to its requirement, in all parts Of
tho country will accomplish these grca
ends. Without that Obedience, we can look
forward only to continual outrages upor
individual rights, incessant broaohes of the
public peace, national weakness, fuanoia
diahonor, tho total loss Of our prosperity
sha general corruption Of morals, aud the