Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-02-12

L
annual message to the statement, explanation, and
enforcement of policy which, if adopted, would
he said, have for its certain effect to save the
Union" That policy was presented by him to the
consideration Of Congress in the shape of certain
amendments to the Constitution, cmbodyng the
details of his "plan," which he was confident
would secure peace more speedily and maintain il
more permanently than can be done by force alone,
The plan" of the President, proposed as an addi-
ton to the provisions If the fundamental law Of
the land, was conceived in the following supple
mentary articles which he recommended to the
adoption Of Congress preliminary to their submis-
sion to the States for their ratification
Rssoped by the Senate and House Of Representatives. OF
the United States Of America IN Congress assembled (two-
thirds of both Houses couourng) That the following
tces be proposed to the Legislatures Conyentons OF
the several States amendments to the Constitution of
the United States all or any Of which articles when rail-
fed by tLreeourths Of the said Legislatures Tor ConVen
tions to be valid as part or parts Of the said Consu
ton, viz
ARTICLE - Every State whereia slavery now exsts
which shall abolish the therein at any time times
before the frat day Of January, in the year of Lord
thousand and nine hun red ha receive compensation
from the United States q, follows, TO Wit:
The President Of the United States shall deliver to
every such State bonds Of the United States bearing n
rest ut the rate of per cent per anuu an amount
equal to tie aggregate of - for each sa shown
TO have been therein by the eighth Of the Uited
States said bonds to be delivered to such State by install
ments, in parcel at the completion Of the abolish
ment accordingly as the same shall have been gradual
at tune, within such State and interest shall begin to
upon aDy such bond only from the proper time Of
delivery aforesaid Amy State having received bonds
aforesaid, aud afterwards rentrodueng or toratiug
slavery therein shall refund to the United States the
bonds received, the value thereof and all interest
pad Their
ARTICLE - All slaves who shall have enjoyed actual
freedom by the chances Of the war; at any time before the
end OF the rebellion shal be forever free; but all owners
Of such who shall not have been dsoya shall bs compen.
sned for them at the saDe rates provided for State
adopting abOlshment of slavery but such way that
slave shall be twice accounted for
ARTICLE - Congress may appropriate money, and
otherwise provide for coloDzng free coofed persons,
with their own consent at any place places without the
United States"
Notwithstanding the great elaboration which
tho President gave to this scheme Of pacifcation,
and notwithstanding the assured confidence with
which he submitted it to the favorable considera-
ton of Congress as sovereign remedy for the
evils which sfiot the State, it is to be remarked
that the Presidents supporters have not given the
slightest attention to bis recommendations in either
House of Congress. And the press which processes
to DO devoted to the "support" Of the Admins
tration seems, by tact consent, to have left en-
tirely out Of public sight this Presidential plan
of compromise" This neglect is the more sur
prisiug because of the solemn sanctions under
which Mr.. Lincoln announced his faith-we should
say his knowledge-as to the efficacy of the afore-
said "plan !" for, after giving to it an extended
discussion, be closed bis appeal in its behalf with
the following emphatic adjurations
II do not forget the gravity which should characterize
paper addressed to the Congress of tie nation by Chief
Magistrate Of the nati'n Nor do forget that of
you are my seniors nor that many Of you have
perieDce than In the conduct of public affairs Yet
trust THAT in view OF the great responsibility resting upon
me you viii perceive no want Of respect to yourselves
any undue earne.tness may seem to display.
lis it doubted then that the plan propose il adopted
would shorten the and thus less t expenditure Of
money and Of blood Is doubted that it would restore
the national authority and national prosperity and perpet
uaie boh indefinitely Is doubted that ,rs hers-Con
gross and EzecmiUe-cun its adoption Will not
the good people respond to united and earnest appeal
from US Can We, Can they, by any other means, so
certainly or spsedy these vital objects We
can succeed only by cpcert 1t is can any OF us
imagine betterF but can we all do bstter7 Object
whatsoever is possible still the question recurs can we
do betterl The dogmas Of the quiet past are
to the stormy present The occasion Is piled high with
dncnlty, and we must rise with the occasion. IA
case Is new, we must think and act anew. We
must disenhral ourselves aud then shall save our
country.
"Fellowcitizens cannot escspe history We Of this
Congress Ind this Administration will be rem mbered in
spite Of ourselves No personal significance or osg sf.
canoe en- spare ole or another Of The fiery trial
through which we pass will light down in honor dis
honor to the latest generation. I'VE sag are for the
Union The Uorld ,riu not forget that sag this We
knoD hoc 10 the Union The 10 rid knotcs ,oc do
knop hoD 10 sarc Il, We-even here-hold the power
and bear the respons bty In gong freedom the Stare
we assure freedom TO the reebonorable alike ia what
we give aud what preserve. We sbsll nobly save or
meany lose the last best hope of earth Other mean, may
generous, just-a way which, If followed the world will
forever applaud and God must forever bless"
We here have an affirmation of the following
propositions:
l. This plan, whatever may be said of other
me ans cou'd not fail y
2. Congress and the Executive can secure its
adoption
3. Congress and the Executive "know how to
cave the. Uuion" by adopting this plan, and :" the
world knows that they know how to save it,"
Such being the state of the case, as it presented
itsslf to the mind of Mr.. Lincoln, who can won
der that the fiery trial" through which the coun-
try is passing seemed to him one that would eight
down" Congress and the Executive " in honor or
dishonor to the latest generation ?' 1t will be the
verdict OF history that while the fires Of this trial
waxed hottest the President of tho United States
was either so unfortunate in approaching the times
in which he was called to act that be recommended
plan which deserved no support at the hands Of
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