The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1863-12-17

asgood soldiers as any. Noservile instruction
or teudency to violence or cruelty, has mark
ed the measures of emancipation and arming
the blacks These measures have been much
discussed IN foreign countries, and, cotempora-
ry with such discussions, the tone of public
sentiment there is much improved. The same
measures have been fully discussed, support
4 ed criticised, and denounced, and the result oil
the annual elections is highly encouraging to
those whose special duty it is to bear the eoun-
! try through this great trial. thus we have the
reckoning. The crisis which threatened to
divide the friends of the Union is past
Looking now to the present and future, and
with reference to the resumption OF the nation
al authority within the States wherein that
authority has been suspended, 1 have thought
| fit to issue a proclamation, copy of which is
herewith transmitted. On examination of this
proclamation, it will appear, as is believed,
amply justified by the Constitution. True,
the form of an oath is given, but no man Is
coereed to take it. A man is only promised a
pardon in case he voluntarily takes the OATH
The Constitution, authorizes the Executive to
grant it on such terms as are fully established
by judicial and other authorities. 1t is also
profered that if, in many of the States named,
q seat of Government shall be, In the mode
prescribed, set up, such Government shall be
recognized and guaranteed by the United
States and that under it the State shall, ON
be protected against invasion and domestic
violence. The constitutional obligation of the
United States to guarantee to every State In
the Union republican form of Government,
and to protect the State in the case as stated,
is explicit and full, but why tender the benefits
of this provision only to State Government
set up in this particular way " This section
of the Constitute contemplates case where
in the element within a State, favorable to
Republican Goyernmcnt in the Union, may
be too feeble for an opposite and hostile ele-
ment external to, and even within, the State;
and such are precisely the cases with which
we are now dealing. An attempt to guaran-
tee and protect revised State of Government,
constructed in whole or III preponderating
part from the very element against whose
hostility and violen;e it is to be protected is
simply absurd. There must be a test by which
to separate opposing elements, SO as TO build
only from the sound, and that test Is su III
Gent and liberal one, which accepts as sound
whoever will make q sworn recantation of his
former unsoundness.
But if it be proper to require as test of adj
mission to the political body, an oath of allie
glance to the Constitution OF the United States
and to the Union under it, why not also to
the laws and proclamations in regard to sla.
very? Those laws and proclama[iOns were
enacted and put forth for the purpose OF all
ing in the suppression of the rebellion 10
give them the fullest effect there had To be. a
pledge for their maintenance. In my judy
meut they have aided, and will further AM,
the cause for which they were enlisted. 10
give up this principle would be not only to re.
linquish a lever of power, but would also be IL
cruel and astounding breach of faith. L may
add at this point that while ] remain IN my
present position, l shall not attempt to retracr
or modify the Emancipation Proclamation, nor
shall return to slavery any person who is
made free by the rms of the proclamation,
or by any act of Congress. For these, and
other reasons, it is thought best that the sup
port of these persons sh all be included in the
oath, and il is believed the Executive may law
fully claim it in return for pardon, and the res
toration of protected rights which he has a
clear constitutional power to withhold altogeth-
er, or grant upon the terms which he shall
deem wisest for the public interest 1t should
be observed, also, that this part of the oath is
ubjeet to the modifying and abrogating power
of legislation and supreme judicial decision.
The proposed acquiescence of the National
Executive in any honorable Temporary State
arrangement for the freed people, is made with
a view Of possibly modifying the confusion
and distressing destitution which must at
least, attend all classes, by total revolution
of labor throughout the whole States. 1t is
hoped that the already deeply afflicted people
in these States may be somewhat more ready
to give up the cause of their affection, and to
this extent this vital matter is life to them
selves, while no power of the national Execu-
tive to prevent an abuse is abridged by this
-.-....
The suggestion in the proclamation as to |
the political framework of the /
States on " hat is called reconstruction, is made
in the hope that it may do good without /
harm. 1t will favor labor, and avoid great |
confusion But why any proclamation now |
upon the subject2 This question Is beset with .
the conflicting views that the step might be
delayed too long or be taken too soon. In
some of the States the elements for resumption /
have been ready for action, but remain mac !
tive, apparently, for want of a ralfying point ,
DR. plan Of action.
Why shall A adopt the plan of B., rather
Than B. that of A If 4 and b should agree,
how can they know that the General Govern
ment here will respect their plan? By the
proclamation, plan is presented which may
be accepted by them q rallying point and
which will not be rejected here Phis may
bring them to act sooner than they otherwise
would. The objections to n premature presen-
sation of plan by the National Executive,
consist in the danger of committals In points
which could be more safely left to further de-
velopments. Care has been taken to so shape
the document as to avoid embarrassment from
this source. In saying that, on certain terms,
certain classes will be pardOned, with their
rights restored, it is not said that other classes
On other terms, will never be included. In
saving that a reconstruction will be accepted,
If presented in a specified way, it is not said |
that it will be accepted in no other way. The |
movements by State action for emancipation.
net included in the Emancipation Procama-
ton, are matters OF profound graduation; and !
while l do not repeat what have heretofore
80 earnestly urged upon this subject, my gem