Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-12-19
The PRESIDENTS Proc
LAMATION !
HE OFFERS PARDON TO
THE REBEL MASSES!
The Gath of Allegiance /!

WHEREAS, Ry the Constitution Of the
United States it is provided that the
President shall have power to grant re-
prieye aud pardon for offences against
The United States, except in cases Of in
parchment;
And, Whereas, A rebellion now ex-
;sts, wherein the functions of the Govern
ment Of the Unite,l States have for long
time been suspended, and many persons
have committed and are now guilty Of
treason against the United Stains;
And, Whereas, As with reference to
said rebellion and treason, laws have been
enacted BY Congress. enacting the ;or-
feitrre and contisication Of property AMI
liberation of slaves, all upon conditions
therein stated, ard also declares that tie
President was thereby authorized at any
time thereafter by proclamation to extend
pardon to persons who may have .afiie-
ipated in the existing rebellion IN any
State, or part thereof, with such excep-
tons and on such conditions rs he may
deem expediept for the public welfare;
And, Whereas, The Congressional de-
claration for limited and conditional par
don, accurds with the well established IL
dicial expositious of the pardonins pow
err;
And, Where's. As with reference to
said rebellion, the President of the Uni
ted States has issued several procaas-
tons with provisions in regard to the
liberties of slaves, and inviting persons
heretofore engaged in said rebellion to
resume their allegiance to tho United
States, and re-inaugarate loyal State
Governments, within and for their res
pectiye States:
THERRFoRE, I, Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States, DO pro-
claim, declare, and make known TO all
persons who have directly or indirectly
participated IN the existing rebellion, ex-
cept as hereinafter named, a full pardon
is granted to them and each of them with
restoration of all rights, upon the condi-
ton that every such person shall take
and subscribe an oath, and theDcefor
ward keep and MAINTAIN said oath inVio-
late, which oath shall be retained for PER
manent preservation, Of the following ten
or and effect, to-wit:
i DO solemnly swear in the presence Of
Almighty God, that | will support, protect,
and defend the Constitution of the United
States, and the Union of States therein that
| will in like manner uphold and faithfully
support all acts of Congress. passed dumg
the existing rebellion. with reference TO slaves
so long and so far as not repealed. modified:
or vetoed by Congress, or by the deeisionot
the Supreme Court and that viii in Ike
manner abide by and faithfully support all
PrOclamations of the President during the tx
isting rebellion, having reference to slaves. 90
long and so far as not modified or declared
void by decision eli the Supreme Court-So
help me God
The persons excepted from the forego-
ing provisions are all who are, or shall
have been. military officers or agents OF
the so-calied Confederate Government;
all who have left official stations under
the United States, to aid the Rebellion;
NIL who are or shall have been military
or naval officers Of the rank of Colonel
in the army. or like rank in the navy; all
who left seats IN the United States Con-
eress to aid the Rebellion; all who re-
signed their commissions in the army and
navy of the United States, and afterwards
aided the Rebellion; and all who have
engaged in any way in treating colored
persons, or white persons in charge OF
such, otherwise than lawfully as prison
ers ofwar, aud which persons may DO
found in tho Confederate service, as SOL
diers, sergeants, or in any capacity.
And do further proclaim, declare,
and make known, that whenever in any
of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louis
iania, Missouri. Tennessee. Alabama,
Georgia. Florida, South Carolina and
North Carolina, number of persons,
not less than one-fourth of the number
who voted in such States at the Presl-
dental election in the year of our Lord
1850, having taken the oath. and not
having since voted, and being qualified