The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-23

train was approaching Biddeford, he
jumped up, and, with face all aglow and
eyes sparkling with delight, exclaimed;
Boys, there's my fathers chimney" As
if by simultaneous inspiration. the sol
diers all arose and sang "Sweet Home
with the effect that is sometimes pro-
duced by these simple notes and simple
lines. More than one bearded man look
ed out Of the window as an excuse to
conceal his tears.
lThe Presidents Message ON ConA.-
cation.
The following messages were received
from the President on the 18th
Fsllo,O-citizens Of the Senate and House of
Representatives
Concerning the bill for an act to sup
press instruction, to punish treason and
rebellion, to seize and confscate the prop
erty of rebels, and for other purposes,
and the joint resolution explanatory OF
said act as being substantially one, /
have approved and signed both. Before
was informed of the passage of the res
olution had prepared draft stating OBJ
jections to the bill becoming a law, a
copy of which is herewith transmitted.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
July 17th 1862.
FslloiO-citizens Of he House Of Representa-
tiVes:
herewith return to your honorable
body, in which it originated, the bill for
an act entitled an act to suppress trea-
son and rebellion, TO seize and confiscate
the property of rebels, and for other pur-
poses, together with my objections TO its
becoming law. There is much in the
bill TO which perceive no objections. 1t
is wholly prospective, and il touches
neither the person or property of any
loyal citizen, in which particular il is
just and proper.
The first and second sections provide
for the conviction and punishment ofper-
sons who shall be guilty of taeason, and
the persons who shall incite, set on foot,
assist or engage in any rebellion or in
surrection against the authority of the
United States, or the laws thereof, or
shall give aid or comfort to any such OK
listing rebellion or insurrection By fair
construction, the persons within these
sections are not TO be punished without
regular trial in duly constituted courts,
under the forms of all the substantial
provisions of the law, and of the Consti-
tuition applicable to their several cases.
TO this proclaim no objection, espe-
cially as such persons will be within the
general pardoning power, and also within
the special provision for pardon and am
nesty contained in this Act 1t also
provides that the slaves of persons con-
iscated under these Sections shall be
free. think there is an unfortunate
form of expressing rather than q sub
stantial objection TO this.
1t is startling TO say that Congress can
free the slaves within State, and yet
were it said that the ownership of the
slave had first been transferred 10 the ma
tion, and that Congress had then hberat-
ed him, the difficulty would vanish and
this is the real cause of treason against
the General Government, for he forfeits
his slaves, at least as justly as he does
any other property, and he forfeits both
to the Government he Offends The Gov
! eminent, so far as there can be owner
ship, owns the slave, and the question
for Congress in regard TO them is, shall
they be made free or sold TO new mas
ters
Iseeno objection TO Congress declari ng
in advance that they shall be free. To
the high honor of Kentucky, as am in
formed, she has been the owner of some
slaves by eschest, and had sold none but
liberated all. hope the same is true Of
some other States Indeed do not be-
lieye il would be physically possible for
the General Government TO return per-
! sons so circumstanced 10 actual slavery
/ believe there would be physical re
sistAnce to il which would never be NOV
! ed aside by argument or driven away by
force. In this view Of it / have no OBJ
lection TO this feature Of the bill. Ano-
Their matter in these two sections and
running through other parts Of the act,
will be noticed hereafter.
/ perceive no objection TO the third or
fourth sections. SO far as l wish TO no.
! tice the fifth aud sixth sections, they may
be considered together That the en-
forcement Of these sections would do no
injustice 10 the persons embraced in them
is clear, that those who made a cause
less war should be compelled to pay the
cost Of it is too obviously just to be call
ed in question; TO give goyernmeDt-pro-
lection TO the property Of persons who
have abandoned il and gone on q crusade
TO overthrow that same government is
absurd il considered In the mere light Of
justice,
The seyerest justice may not always
be the best policy. The principal OF
seizing aud appropriating the property
ofpersons embraced within these Sec
tons is certainly notsysry Objectionable
but a justly discriminating application
Of il would be very difficult and 10 q
great extent impossible. Would il MOI
be the place OF power of remission
somewhere SO that these persons may
know they have something to save by
desisting. l am not sure whether such
power Of remission is or is not within
section l5, without a special act Of Con
gress. ! think our military commanders
when, in military phrase, they are with
In the enemy's country should, in an on
derby manner seize and keep whatever q
real and personal property may be neces
sary or convenient for their command, q
he same time preserving in some wa