The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-10

nv present position, shall not attempt to Ietract
or modify the emancipa ion proclamation nor
shall | return to Slavery any person who Is free
by the terms of that proclamation, or by any OF
the acts of Congress. For these and other rea-
sons, j, is thought best that the support OF these
measures shall be included in the oath, and Il Is
believed the executive may lawfully claim It re-
turn for pardon and restoration OF forfeited
rights, which he has clear constitutional power TO
withhold altogether or grant upon the terms ne
shall deem wises; tor the public interest. II
should be observed also that this p'rt Of the oath
is subject to the modifying and abroSating power
OF legislation and supreme Judicial decision.
The proposed acqliescence Of the national e1-
eCutive in any reasonable temporary state ar
raDgement for the freed people, IS made with the
view Of possibly modifying the confusion ana deS-
titufiun which must at best attend All classes Dy
,o,.. revolution of labor throughout whole
~,,,4s It !, hoped tina. the already deeply al
Hic.td PEOPLE in those states may De somewhat
more readg TO give up the cause Of their atfictoc
If totbis extent this vital matter be left 10 them
selves. While no power OF ,he national executive
to prevent IN abuse is abridged Oy the propose,
ton.
The suggestion ia tie proclamation as to main
tanning he political frame Vrrl the State, on
what is called reconstruction, j, made in the nope
that it may DO gOo4 without danger Of harm. It
will save labor and avoid great confusion. But
why any proclamation now upon t1ls subject
This question is bvset with conflicting views that
the step miga be DELAYED or '7ken too soon. In
some States the elements Tor resumption are
ready for action, but remain inactive apparently
for want c rallying poin. or plan OF action.
why shall A. adopt the plan Of b., rather than
b. ha' OF Az And, i \. and B, should agree.
,ow can they know but tina. the general govern
ment hele will reject tLeir plan? By the pro-
clamation a plan IS presented, which may be ac-
cep,ed by them as a raliying point, and which
they are assured u adyst &C Will not be rejected
here. This may bring them to act sooner Than
they otherwise would. The objections to pre-
mature proclamation Of plan by the national
executive. consists in the danger OF comm!ttals in
points could be more safely left to future deyel-
opemen's
Care has been taken to so shape the announce
ment as 10 avoid embarrassment from this source,
saving that in certain terms certain classes Will
be pardoned, With rights restored. 1t Is not SAID
that other classes or other terms Will never be IN
cluded. Saving that reconstruction viii b. accept
ed if presented in specified way, It Is not said that
they will never be accepted IN any other way.
The governments by State action tor emancIpuon
10 several of the States not included IN the emah-
cipation proclamation, are matters OF profound
graduation, and while do not repeat IN detail
what have heretofore SO earnestly urged upon
this subject, my general views and feelings remain
unchanged, and | trus. Congress will omit no
fair opportunity of aiding these important steps
to the great consummatlonf IN the midst OF other
cares however important.
We must not lose sight OF the fact that the war
power is still our main reliance. To that power
alone can we look for time o give confidence &c
people in the contested regions that the insurgent
power will not again overrun them. Until that
confidence shall be established, little can be done
ANYWHERE for what is called reconstruction. Hence
our chafest care must still be directed to the army
and navy. who have thus far borne their harder
mart so noby and SO well, and it may be esteemed
fortunate that in giving the greatest efficiency
TO these indispensable arms, we DO also hon
orally recognize the gallant men, from command
er to sentinel who compose them and to whom
more than to Others the world must stand indebt
ed for the home of freedom, disinthraled, regen
Grated and perpetuated. .-
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Dec. 8, 1868.
The following proclamation is appended t.
the message
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, in and by the Constitution OF thu
United States, it is provided that the Preslden
shall have power to grant repreves and pardon
for offences against the United Stites except II
cases of impeachment ; and
Whereas, A rebellion now exists whereby tn
loyal State governments of several States have
for long time been subverted and many per
sons have committed, and are now guilty o
treason against the United States, and
Whereas With reference to said rebellion
and treason, laws have been enactedlby Congress