The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-12-10

suppressed without resorting to it as a military
measure, it was all the while deemed posi-
bic that the necessity for it might come, and
that if it should, the crisis Of the contest would
then be presented. 1t came, and as was por-
tended. 1t was followed by dark and doubt
full days. Eleven months having been pass
ed, we are permitted to take another review.
The rebel borders are pressed still further
back, and by the complete opening of the Miss
issippi the country dominated over by the rebels
Joni = divided nto distinct parts. and there il no
practical commune alton between them. Tenn
ssGse ana Arkansas have been substantially cisar
ed of the insurgents control and influence, and
the citizens in each, and owners of slaves and
advocates of slavery at the beginning Of the re-
bellion, now declare openly for emancipation in
their respective States, OF those States not inclu
ded in the Emancipation Proclamation, MARYLAND
and Missouri, neither of which, years ago, would
tolerate any restraint upon the extension of slaYe-
ny into the new territories, only dispute now as to
the!best mode removing it within their own limits.
Vi those who were slaves at the beginning of the
rebellion, full one hundred thousand are now in
the United States military service, about one half
of which number actually bear arms in the ranks
thus giving the double advantage of taking so
much labor from the lnSurgent cause and suDplyN
ing the places which otherwise must bs filled
with SO many white man. So far as tested it is
difficult to say that they are not asgood soldiers as
any. No serVIls insurrection or tendency to vi
olence or cruelty has marked the measures of
emancipation and arming the blacks. These
measures have been much discussed in foreign
countries and Contemporary with such discussions
the tone OF public sentiment there is much im>
proved. At homo the same measures have been
fully discussed, supported criticised and denounced
and the annual elections following xre highly en-
courageing to those whose special duty il is to
bear the country through this great trial. Thus
We have the reckoning. The crisis which threats
ened to divide the friends of. The Union is past.
Looking now to the present and future and with
reference to a resumption Of the national authori-
ty within the StStes wherein that authority has
been suspended.
have thought it 6t to issue h proclamation, a
copy of which is herewith transmitted. On ex>
animation of this proclamation it will appear, as
is believed, amply justified by the Constitution.
True tho form OF an oath is gwen, but no man is
coerced to take it. A man il only proffersd u
pardon, In case he Voluntarily takes the oath the
Constitution authorizes the Executive to grart on
terms, 10 fully established by judicial and other
authorities 1t Is also preferred that if any of the
States named assent, government shall be, in the
mode prescribed, set up. Such government shall
be recognized and guaranteed by the United
States, and that under 1t the State shall, Oh the
constitutional condition, be protected against ins
vasiou and domestic violence.
The constitutional obligations of the United
States to guarantee to every State in the Union
a republican TORN OF government, and TO protect
the State IN the Gases aI stated, 10 explicit and
full, But why tender the benefits OF this proviS
ion only to q State government set up in thi,
particular kind Of a way. This section of tn
| COublllutlOn COuI6mplRtoo a case wherein the Ge
ment within a State favorable to d republican
government i'll the Union, may be too feeble for
an opposite and hostile element external to and
sven "lthln Inc State, and such are peciseIy the
cases with which We are now dealing, an ats
tempt to guarantee and protect a revised State
government, constructed i'll whole or in prepon>
deratiug part from the veryelement against whose
hostility and violence IL is to be protected, ia
simply absuld. There must be a test by which
10 oepe"aie opposing elements SO as to build only
from the sound, and that test is sufficient and lib
eral one, which accepts as sound whoever will
make a sworn rec ~anEation of bis former unsound>
ness.
But if it be proper to require as a test of
admission to- the political bodyan oath of allegi-
ance to the Constitution of the United States.
and to the Union under it, why not also to
laws and proclamation in regard to slavery.
These laws and proclamations were enacted
and put forth for the purpose of aiding in the
suppression of the rebellion? To give them
their fullest effect, there had to be a pledge
for their maintenance. In my judgment
they have aided and will further aid the cause
for which they were enlisted. To give up
this principle would not only relinquish a
lever of power, but would also be a cruel and
astounding breach of faith. may add at
this point that while l remain in my present
position l shall not attempt to retract or
modify the emancipation proclamation, nor
shall l return to slavery any person who is
free by any act of Congress. For these and
other reasons it is thought best that the sup
port OF these provisions shall be included in
the oath, and it is believed the executive may
lawfully claim it in return for pardon and
restoration OF forfeited rights which he has
clear constitutional power to withhold alto
gether or grant upon the terms which he
Shall deem Wisest for the public inter
est.
1t should be observed also that this part
OF the oath is subject to the modifying and
abrogating power of legislation and supreme
Judicial decision. The proposed acquiesence
Of the national 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 classes. By a
total revolution of labor throughout the 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 affection,
and to this extent this vital matter is left to
themselves, while no power of the national
Executive to prevent an abuse is abridged
by the proposition. The suggestion in the
proclamation as to maintaining the political
framework OF the States, or what is called re-
construction, is made in the hope that it may
do good without the danger of harm. 1t will
save labor and avoid great confusion. But
why any proclamation now on this subject?
This question is beset with the conflicting
views that the step might be delayed too long
or be taken too soon in some elements for re-
sumption, and seem ready for action but re-
main inactive, apparently for want of a rally
ing point, a point Of action. Why shall A..
| aA0nf fha Ylan Of II ro4h.r fhoo A.. ID 49,
of A, and if A. and B. sho'd agree, how can
they know but that the general government
here will respect their plans by the proclama-
ton as presented, which may be accepted by
them as a rallying point, and which they are
assured in advance will not be rejected here.
This may bring them to action sooner than
they otherwise would. The objection to a
premature presentation of application by the
national executive consists in the danger of
committing in points which would be more
safely left to developments. Care has been
taken to so shape the document as to avoid
embarrassment from this source. In saying
that certain classes will be pardoned with
their rights restored it is not said that other
classes on other terms will never be included.
In saying that a reconstruction will be accep-
ted If presented in a specified way,it is not
said that 1t will never be accepted in any other
way.
The movements for emancipation in sever
al of the States not included In the Emanci-
tlon@Proclamation are matters of profound
congratulation, and while l do not repeat in
detail what l have heretofore so earnestly
said upon this subject,m my general views and
feelings are unchanged, and i trust that Con-
gress will omit no fair opportunity of aiding
these important steps to the great consumma-
ton,
must not lose sight of the fact that the war pow er is
stll our main reliance. To that power alone can we
look for time tot give confidence to the people in the
contested region, so that the insurgent power will not
again oYerrun them until that confidence shall be esq