The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-22
The Southern Press Oh the Presidents Mes
sage.

1uO cVutuVAA L 1893 O4 wv lN-IOOLAJ AAOo
sage.
Below we give extracts from Southern papers
discussing the Presidents Proclamation of Am
nesty:
From the Richmond Examiner, Dec. 10.
One-tenth OF the repentant criminals are sufi-
cIent TO redeem a State and to restore its fran
chisss. The reasons 10y which this action is JUS
lifted are worthy OF their author.
II might appear to d superficial observer that
provision Of this character would be tantamount
10 erecting an oIigarchy, in which the tea,h part
Of people would he not only invested with the
supreme power, but he protected by the military
force of a conqueror III the exercise of it. 1t
might appear that this minority, so ready TO sub
NIT 10 the conqueror, would be not only the vlest
part o! the people, but, By the hatred with which
It would be regarded by the rest OF the popula-
ton, least capable of recognizing a stable gov
eminent, a objections, however, vanish before
The -relJ necessity OF reconstructng and olsen
Jhralng and regenerating ileedom," which Just
now seems to be the peculiar mission of the Yam
KEGS.
IN the declaration of this desire to restore Re
publ an Government to the seeded States there
IS sublmty OF lmpadenCe One-tenth of the
population are to be made the masters of the
country, if they can he found willing to play the
part If not, the farce will be performed by the
importation o foreign actors. 1t is absurd, in
the opinion Of Lincoln, TO base the reorganization
of the Government upon the consent Of an ele
nent which is hostile to it. The Republican Gov
eminent which he pro- oses to guarantee must be
protected by the General Government, both
against internal and external violence. Has it
never occurred TO him thar what he calls internal
violence is the real expression Of tue sentiment of
the people? Does it not strike him that this
form Of guaranteeing Republican Government
is the forcibe establishment of hated despotism,
and precisely the opposite OF the liberty VIII oh
the Co sttutlon aimed at securing?
Ills muddy reasoning, OF course, does not con-
ceal the truth from him. H. knows well that
the utter subjugatlon or determination of peo-
pie are necessary to the accomplishment OF bis
purposes, and to the empty name OF freedom he
IS prepared TO sacrifice the reality. 1t is cheer
ing ground of hope that the same head which in
vents this justification of his course, must devise
the measures necessary to carry 1t into effect. If
we can foil his attempt at conquest as easily as we
can refute his reasoning, the cause is safe.
From the Richmond Examiner, Dec d.
Such are the first terms of peace offered by the
United States to the people of the Confederate
States. These terms are Joined with many vague
intimations that thsy may be withdrawn or modi-
fed, as occasion requires. Those laws and
proclamations are enacted and put forth" says the
shallow knave, "for the purpose Of aiding in the
suppression OF the rebellion" But in vain is the
trap set in front of any bird. Even geese )uld
scorn the chatf with which it is bated, and shun
the snare wi ch shows the moose on the surface
The Proclamation Of Pardon will have as much,
II, al. D.. r
Emancipation, and the Proclamation "to dis
perse," which began the war.
This document Gas, however, one trait OF real
Importance. 1t reveals the decline of tho mania
for war n the United States. Lincoln represents
his people now as ne did two years ago. Then
ell was bloody. Confscaton, subjugation, exter.
mination were the only measures ne and they
lnouga, or spoke oil. Great is the distance be-
tween those days and these. Instead of crush
ing the rebellion" in sixty days." by . gigantic
"Unon army" tn, chief hope now rests 10 jug.
gle. There is time for all things--a time for
fighting, and that time is nearly past; time for
cheating, and that time is nearly come.
From the Richmond Enquirer, Dec. H.
We this morning crafty the curiosity of our
readers with the message of Abraham Lincoln.
Recovering out recently from an attack of the
small poA, some eAcuse may oe mdue lor the
Message. 1t is but another exhibition of his weak
ness aud folly. Why his Cabinet will permit him
to make such fool OF himself, and render their
country an object of contempt and ridicule
throughout the world, can only be accounted for
the suDposition that it is the easiest way to get
Uid OF him. They, therefore, permit him to nave
she freest and fullest use OF his pen.
10 his Proclamation of Amnesty and recon
. structon we especially invite the attention OF oul
readers, and when the oneienth are ready tC
succumb, We ask the privilege Of announcing 1t K
heir Father Abraham.
At present we have nj the space to review tn,
Message, and do not know that we shall hereafter
and the time; bu as there are some features il
Il so characteristic OF Yankee we may on fuGur,
occasions recur to this Message.