Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-12-15

Thus we have the reckoning. I crisis
which threatened to divide the friends of
til, Union, is passed. Looking now to the
present and future, and with reference t.
a resumption OF the national authority with
in the States wherein that authority has
been suspended | have thought lit to issue
proclamation, a copy Of which is herewith
transmitted. On examination Of the proc
lamation it will appear, as is believed, am
ply justified by the constitution. True, the
form of an oath is given, but no man is CO.
creed to take it. A man is only promised
pardon, in case be voluntarily takes the
oath. which the constitution authorizes The
executive to grant, as is fully established by
judcals and other authorities.
1t is also protf.red that in many of the
States named real Government shall be,
in the mode prescribed, set up such Gov
eminent shall be recognized and guaranteed
in accordance with the constitution he pre-
pared against invasion and domestic violene.
The constitutional obligation Of the United
States TO guarantee to every State in the
Union a Republican form Of government,
and to protect the State in the cases stated,
is explicit and full But why tender the
benefits of this provision only TO a State
government set up in this particular way ?
This section of the constitution contemplates
"a case wherever the elements within State
favorable to Republican form of Govern
meut in tho Union may be too feeble for
other opposite and hostile elements outside
and even within the State.
Such are precicely the cases with which
We are now dealing. An attempt to guar
an ee and protect State Government con
structed in whole or preponderating part
from the very element against whose hos
tiIity and violence it is to be protected, are
simply absurd. There must be test by
which to separate opposing elements 50 as
to build only from the sound, and that test
is sufficiently liberal one which accepts AS
sound whoever will make a sworn recanta-
ton of his former unsoundness. But 1t 1t
be proper TO require as test OF ADMISSION
TO the political body an oath OF allegiance
TO the Constitution of the UBlted States,
and the Union under it, why, also, to the
laws and the proclamation III regard to
slavery. These laws and procanatlOns
We're enacted and put forth for the purpose
of aiding in the suppression of the reOell-
ion, and give their fullest effect, to be a
pledge for their maintenance. TO give up
this principle won'd be not only to relln-
luish love of power, but would DC cru
81 and astounding breach o! faith.
| may add at this point, that while l
remain in my present position. | shall not
attempt TO modify or retract the Emancl-
patton Proclamation, nor shall return to
slavery any person who is free by the terms
of the proclamation, or any act OF Con
gress.
For these and other reasons il is thought
best that the support of these persons shall
be included in the oath, and II Is believed
the executive may lawfully claim it Tor par
don and restoration to, forfeited rights,
which he has clear constitutional power TO
withhold alto ether or grant upon the terms
which he shall deem wsest for the public
interest. 1t should be observed, also that
this part of the oath is subject to the mod
flying and abrogating power OF legislation
and supreme judicial decision.
The proposed acquiesceuse Of the nation
al executive IN any honorable temporary
State arrangement for the freed people Is
made with the view, of possibly modifying
the confusion and restitution which must
at best attend all changes by total revoIu-
ton of labor throughout whole States IL
is hoped that the already deeply afflicted