PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, 1864.

567

Upon the pending question of the proposed constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, the question of all others of overshadowing importance, he says:

"At the last session of Congress, a proposed amendment of the constitution, abolishing slavery throughout the United States, passed the Senate, but failed for the lack of the requisite two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress, and nearly the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the reconsideration and passage of the measure at the present session. Of course the abstract question is not changed, but an intervening election shows almost certainly that the next Congress will pass the measure, if this does not. Hence there is only a question of time as to when the proposed amendment will go to the States for their action, and as it is to go at all events, may we not agree that the sooner the better? It is not claimed that the election has imposed a duty on members to change their views or their votes, any further than as an additional element to be considered. Their judgment may be affected by it. It is the voice of the people now for the first time heard upon the question. In a great national crisis like ours, unanimity of action among those seeking a common end is very desirable-almost indispensable; and yet no approach to such unanimity is attainable unless some deference shall be paid to the will of the majority. In this case the common end is the maintenance of the Union, and among the means to secure that end, such will, through the election, is most clearly declared in favor of such constitutional amendment. The most reliable indication of public purpose in this country is derived through our popular elections. Judging by the recent canvass and its results, the purpose of the people within the loyal States to maintain the integrity of the Union, was never more firm or more nearly unanimous than now. The extraordinary calmness and good order with which the millions of voters met and mingled at the polls, gives strong assurance of this. Not only all those who supported the Union ticket (so called,) but a great majority of the opposing party also, may be fairly claimed to entertain and to be actuated by the same purpose. It is an unanswerable argument to this effect that no candidate for any office whatever, high or low, has ventured to seek votes on the avowal that he was for giving up the Union. There has been much impugning of motives, and much heated controversy as to the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause; but in the distinct issue of Union or no Union, the politicians have shown their instinctive knowledge that there is no diver

sity among the people. In affording the people a fair opportunity of showing one to another, and to the world, their firmness and unanimity of purpose, the election has been of vast value to the Union cause."

Upon the question of how far the Republic had been exhausted by the war in men and resources, he makes the fol lowing interesting and striking statements:

"The election has exhibited another fact, not less valuable to be known-the fact that we do not approach exhaustion in the most important branch of the national resources-that of living men. While it is melancholy to reflect that the war has filled so many graves, and caused mourning to so many hearts, it is some relief to know that, compared with the surviving, the fallen brave have been so few. While corps and divisions and regiments have formed and fought and dwin dled and gone out of existence, a great majority of the men who composed them are still living. The same is true of the naval service. The election returns prove this. So many voters could not else be found. The States regularly holding elections, both now and four years ago-to wit: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermant, West Virginia, and Wisconsin -cast 3,982,011 votes now, against 3,870,222 cast then; showing an aggregate now of 3.982,011, to which is to be added 33,762 cast now in the new States of Kansas and Nevada, which States did not vote in 1860; thus swelling the aggregate to 4,015,773, and the net increase, during the three and a half years of war, to 145,551. A table is appended, showing particulars. To this again should be added the numbers of all soldiers in the field belonging to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, and California, who by the laws of those States could not vote away from their homes, and which number cannot be less than 90,000. Nor yet is this all. The number in organized Territories is triple now what it was four years ago, while thousands, white and black, join us as the national arms press back the insurgent lines. So much is shown affirmatively and negatively by the election. It is not material to inquire how the increase has been produced, or to show that it would have been greater but for the war. which is probably true. The important fact remains demonstrated that we have more men now than we had when the war began; that we are not exhausted, nor in process of exhaustion; that we are gaining

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

569

strength, and may, if need be, maintain the contest indefinitely. This

Material resources are now more complete and abundant than ever. The national resources, then, are unexhausted, and, as we believe, inexhaustible. The public purpose to re-establish and maintain the national authority is unchanged, and, as we believe unchangeable."

He then goes on to say that the issue with the rebel leaders could only be decided by war, and victory. Negotiation was useless. On this point he said:

"On careful consideration of all the evidence accessible, it seems to me that no attempt at negotiation with the insurgent leader could result in any good. He would accept of nothing short of the severance of the Union. His declarations to this effect are explicit and oft repeated. He does not attempt to deceive us. He affords us no excuse to deceive ourselves.

Nearly. + Estimated.

We cannot voluntarily yield it. Between him and us the issue is distinct, simple, and inflexible. It is an issue which can only be tried by war, and decided by victory. If we yield, we are beaten. If the Southern people fail him, he is beaten. Either way, it would be the victory and defeat following war. What is true, however, of him who heads the insurgent cause, is not necessarily true of those who follow. Although he cannot reaccept the Union, they can. Some of them we know already desire peace and reunion. The number of such may increase. They can at any moment have peace, simply by laying down their arms and submitting to the national authority under the Constitution. After so much the Government could not, if it would, maintain war against them. The loyal people would not sustain or allow it. If questions should remain, we would adjust them by the peaceful means of legislation. conference, courts, and votes, operating only in constitutional and lawful channels. Some certain and other possible questions are, and would be beyond the executive power to adjust-as, for instance, the admission of members into Congress, and whatever might require the appropriation of money. The executive power itself would be greatly diminished by the cessation of actual war. Pardons and remissions of forfeiture, however, would still be within the executive control. In what spirit and temper this control would be exercised, can be fairly judged of by the past. A year ago general pardon and amnesty upon specified terms, were offered to all except certain designated classes, and it was at the same time made known that the excepted classes were still within contemplation of special clemency. During the year many availed themselves of the general provision, and many more would, only that the signs of bad faith in some led to such precautionary measures as rendered the practical process less easy and certain. During the same time, also, special pardons have been granted to individuals of excepted classes, and no voluntary application has been denied.

"Thus practically the door has been for a full year open to all, except such as were not in condition to make free choice—that is such as were in custody or under constraint. It is still so open to all; but the time may come, probably will come, when public duty shall demand that it be closed, and that in lieu more vigorous measures than heretofore shall be adopted."

He closes this wise and statesman-like message, in the following memorable words; words the more they are pondered by the American people, in the light of the present,

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

571

the more deep will be the regret that this great and good man, was not permitted himself to finish the work of restoring the Union. "In presenting" says he, "the abandonment of armed resistance to the National authority on the part of the insurgents, as the only indispensable condition on the part of the Government to peace, I retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I repeat the declaration made a year ago, that while I remain in my present position, I shall not attempt to retract or modify the Emancipation Proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress." Rather than do this he would retire from the office of President.

"If the people" said he, "should by whatever mode or means, make it an Executive duty to reënslave such persons, another, and not I, must be their instrument to perform it. In stating a single condition of peace, I mean simply to say, that the war will cease on the part of the Government, whenever it shall have ceased on the part of those who began it."

This session of Congress went forward with the work of removing from the Statute book, all laws which had been passed for the support and maintenance of slavery, and creating disabilities on the part of the negro race. A law was enacted providing that no person should thereafter be disqualified from carrying the United States' mails on account of color. At this session, the law finally passed and received the prompt approval of the President, giving freedom to the families of colored soldiers.

Senator Wilson, Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, speaking of the resolution, said: "The committee. have three times reported the substance of this resolution. It simply provides that the wives and children of soldiers of the Republic shall be made free. The needs of the country have placed weapons in the hands of the slaves. They are to-day in the trenches before Richmond and Petersburg, and on the shores of the Carolinas; and they keep watch and ward over the Mississippi from Cairo, to the Gulf, They are everywhere doing their duty bravely and well. Butler