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They must not suffer that instrument, which secures to them peculiar advantages, to be weakened or destroyed.

THE UNION MUST BE RESTORED.

There is but one way to save us from demoralization, discord, and repudiation. Our Union must be restored, complete in all its parts. No section must be disorganized beyond the unavoidable necessities of war. All must be made to feel that the mighty efforts we are making to save our Union, are stimulated by a purpose to restore peace, prosperity and happiness to every section.

The vigor of war will be increased when the public mind and energies are concentrated upon the patriotic, generous purpose to restore our Union for the common good of all sections. It cannot be so united upon any bloody, any barbarous, any revolutionary, or any unconstitutional scheme, looking merely to the gratification of hatred, or purposes of party ambition, or sectional advantage. Every exertion of power, every influence of persuasion, every measure of reconciliation, must be used to restore this Union to its former condition. Let no one demand that the blood of his neighbor shall be shed; that the fruits of the labor of our citizens shall be eaten up by taxation, to gain this end, and then refuse to give up his own passions, or to modify his own opinions, to save our country, and to stop the fearful waste we are now making of treasure and of life. Let no one think that the people who have refused to yield this Union to rebellion at the South, will permit its restoration to be prevented by fanaticism at the North.

CONCLUSION.

The pervading sentiment of the great controlling sections of our country will not only save our Union, but it will do so in a way harmonizing with the genius of our institutions, the usages of our people, and the letter and

spirit of our Constitution. It will manifest itself in the customary manner by discussion and political action. The framers of our Constitution foreseeing that events would render it necessary for the people of the several States, not only thus to address our Government, but also to produce a concert of purpose and action between different communities, provided in the Constitution, that "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.''

Our present alarming condition naturally calls for such expressions of public opinion with respect to the objects of this war, and the spirit in which it should be conducted, and the end for which it should be waged; when the public will is clearly expressed it must be recognized and respected by Government. It will also make itself effective in our frequently recurring elections which peacefully but rapidly form a body of Government in harmony with its purposes. It will influence congressional action, or it may lead to a convention of the States.

The condition of our country is not hopeless, unless it is made so by passions and prejudices which are inconsistent with the Government of a great country. This war, with all its evils, has taught us great truths, which if accepted by our people will place the future relations of the various sections of our Union on the firmest basis. It has made us know the value of the Union itself not only in our internal but in our foreign relations. It has given us a wisdom and knowledge of each other, which had we possessed earlier, would have averted our present calamities.

If the interest of different sections of our country are conflicting in some respects, they are so balanced and ad

U. S. Const., 1st am.

justed by nature, that there is an irrepressible tendency to intercourse, harmony and union. This tendency must, in the end, overcome mutual misapprehension. We have also learned the great mutual strength of the North and of the South, and amid all the bitterness of feeling engendered by the war each section has been taught to respect the power, resources and courage of the other.

We must accept the condition of affairs as they stand. At this moment the fortunes of our country are influenced by the results of battles. Our armies in the field must be supported; all constitutional demands of our General Government must be promptly responded to.

But war alone will not save the Union. The rule of action which is used to put down an ordinary insurrection is not applicable to a wide-spread armed resistance of great communities. It is weakness and folly to shut our eyes to this truth.

Under no circumstances can the division of the Union be conceded. We will put forth every exertion of power; we will use every policy of conciliation; we will hold out every inducement to the people of the South to return to their allegiance, consistent with honor; we will guaranty them every right, every consideration demanded by the Constitution, and by that fraternal regard which must prevail in a common country; but we can never voluntarily consent to the breaking up of the Union of these States, or the destruction of the Constitution.

Humbly acknowledging our dependence upon Almigthy God, and repenting our pride, ingratitude and disobedience, let us pray that our minds may be inspired with the wisdom, the magnanimity, the faith and charity, which will enable us to save our country.

Albany, Jaunary 7, 1863.

HORATIO SEYMOUR.

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

January 22. To the Senate:

"EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. ALBANY, January 22, 1863.

"I have received from your honorable body the following preamble and resolution:

STATE OF NEW YORK, IN SENATE, }

ALBANY, Jan. 19, 1863.

Whereas, It has come to the knowledge of Senators that the election of a Speaker in the Assembly is delayed by the interference and threats of a mob admitted into the lobbies of the Assembly chamber, and which has endeavored to control the legislative action of the Assembly by threats and by violence; therefore,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the President of the Senate, whose duty it shall be to confer with his Excellency the Governor, and request him to take prompt and energetic action for the protection of the Assembly from mob violence, and for the speedy and condign punishment of the authors, aiders and abettors thereof. Ordered, That Messrs. Angel, Connolly and Ramsey be such committee.

By order of the Senate.

JAMES TERWILLIGER, Clerk.

These were communicated to me by a committee of the Senate. To avoid the mistaken and injurious impressions they are calculated to make, it is proper I should state that when a complaint was made on Friday last, by a member of the Assembly, that the proceedings of that body were disturbed by the disorderly conduct of persons in the lobbies and galleries, I informed him that any protection which might be called for, by any member of the Assembly, would be immediately afforded. The difficulties of the Assembly grow out of the differences of opinion, among its members, with respect to its organization.

There is an obvious impropriety in any interference, by one department of the Government, with the proceedings of any co-ordinate branch of that Government, unless a request is made by the parties interested. Before the passage of the resolutions of the Senate, every member of the Assembly, who spoke to me upon the subject, was told that he had a right to full protection; but to avoid even an apparent interference with the organization of the Assembly, which by the Constitution," is expressly left to the exclusive control of that body, my action must be based upon a request for protection from those directly concerned.

Immediately upon being advised of the alleged disorders, I consulted with the mayor of this city, who made adequate arrangements to prevent any outside interference.

I feel it due to the Senate, as a matter of courtesy, to explain to them that I can only act upon a request, coming from members of that branch of the Legislature, which is affected by any disorderly proceedings.

HORATIO SEYMOUR."

January 27. To the Assembly: Transmitting the annual reports of the Commissioners of Public Accounts, the Adjutant General, Inspector General, Commissary General, Judge Advocate General, Surgeon General, Quartermaster General and Paymaster General.

February 4. To the Assembly:

ALBANY, February 4, 1863. "Herewith I submit a memorial of the Prison association of New York. The object and usefulness of this organization are well known to you; and the high character of the officers and members who subscribe this memorial will secure for it your consideration.

HORATIO SEYMOUR."

For memorial see Assembly Document No. 10.

h Const. 1846, art. 3, § 10.

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