The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-12-16
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Tcoxrixrrp FROM FIRST rAcrl

lCON1lNJEn FROM FIRST fAGt.I
Ii should be observed. also. that this part
of the oath is subject TO the modifying and
abrogating power of legislation aud SUI
prcme judicial decision. The proposed ac.
quiesceuce of the National Executive IN any
reasonable temporary state arrangement for
the freed people, is made with the view of
possibly modifying The confusion aud deSti-
tuition which must az beet attend all classes
by a total revolution Of labor throughout
whole States. 1t is hoped that the already
deeply afflicted people IN those states may
be somewhat more ready to give up the
cause of their ailctiOn If to this extent
this vital matter be left to themselves, while
no power of the National Executive TO pre-
vent an abuse is abridged 10y the proposi.
ton.
The suggestion in the Proclamation as to
maintaining the political framework cf the
States oa what is called reconstruction, is
made in the hope that It may do good wiki
out danger of harm. II will save labor
and avoid great confusion. But why any
proclamation now upon the subject? This
question is bcset with the conflicting views
that the step might be delayed too long or be
taken too soon. In some states, the elements
for resumption seem ready Tor action, but
remain inactive apparently for want of a
rallyiug point--a plan Of action. Why
shall 4 adopt the plan of b, rather than /
that of \? And if \ and B should agree how
can they know but that the General Govern
mcnt here will reject that plau2 BY the
proclamation plan is presented, which
may bc accepted Ivy them as II rallying
point, and which they are assured in ad
vance will no. bs rejected here. This may
bring them to act sooner than they other
wise would. The objections to preratur,
presentation of plan by the National EN
ecutivc, consists in the danger Of commit
tails on points which would he moro safe
/ ly left to further developments. Care has
been taken to so shape the document, as tC
avoid embarrassment from this source. Il
saying that on certain terms certain class
es will be pardoucd, with rights restored
! it is not said that other classes or othe
terms will never be included In sayiny
| that q reconstruction will be accepted, i
! presented in specific way, it is not sai(
it will never be accepted in any other way
The movements 10y State action fer eman
cipation in several Of the States not in
cludcd in the Emancipation Proclamation
are matters of profound congratulation; am
while do not repeat nor detail what hav
/ heretofore so earnestly urged upon this sub
/ jcct, my general views and feelings remall
unchanged. and trust that Congress vii
omit no fair opportunity of aiding these i'm
port0nt steps to the great contamination.
WAR POWER OUR PRESENT RELIANCE.
In the midst Of other cares, howcvc
/ important, we must not lose sight of tn,
/ fact that the war power is still our main re
lance To that power alone can we lool
/ for time to give confidence to the pcopl,
in the contested regions, that the insurgen
power will not again overrun them, Unit
| that confidence shall be established it'll,
can be done anywhere for what is called re
constructions Hence our chiefest care mus
still he directed to the army and navy, ,whicl
/ have thus far borne their harder part SC
nobly and woll; and it may be esteemed for
! tuuate that ia giving the greatest efficiency
to their indispensable arms. We DO hon
oraby recognize the gallant men, from
commander to sentinel, who compose them
and to whom, more than to Others. the woll
must stand indebted for The home OF freedom
discnthgaIicd, ,rcgeucrated. enlarged and per
petuatci. ABltAHAM LlNCOLN.
Washington, Dec. 6th, 1863.