The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-12-11

, IN the danger oil commitments In points
= which could be more safely left TO further
developments. Care has been taken TO so
shape the document as TO avoid embarrsss-
ment from this source.
In saving that on certain terms certain
classes will be arioned with their rights re-
stored it is not said that other classes on
other terms will never be included. In
, saying that a reconstruction will be accep
, ted # presented in a specified way. il is not
said that it will never be accepted in any
other way. The movements by State 40
tons for emancipation in several of The
States no: included in the Emancipation
Proclamation are matters of profound graf,
ulaton; aud while l do not repeat in detail
what have heretofore 80 earnestly urged
upon this subject. my general views and
feelings remain unchanged. and trust that
Congress will omit no fair opportunity of
aiding these important steps to the great
consummation.
THE WAR POWER OUR PRESENT RELIANCE.
I'm the midst of other cares, however I'M
portant. we mus, not lose sight of tie fact
that the war power is sill our main reliance
To that power alone can we look get for a
. time 10 give confidence to the people in
contested regions. that the insurgent pow
er will not again overrun them. uatil
that confidence shall be established lit lie can
be done any W here for what is called recon
struction. Hence our chiefest care must
still be directed to our army and navy who
have thus far borne their harder part so no
bly, and well, and it may be esteemed foi III
nate that III giving the greatest efficiency
to their indispensable arms, we do also hon.
orably encourage the gallant men, from
commander to sentinel who compose them,
and 10 whom more than all others, the world
must stand indebted for the home of Free
dom, disenthralled. regenerated, enlarged
and perpetuated.
ABRAHAM LrScoLN.
WASHINGTON, December 8, 1868.
Proclamation Accompanying the
Message.
The following proclamation is appended
to the Message:
WHEREAS. on and by the Constitution of
the Uuited States, it is provided that the
President shall have the power to grant re.
prieves and psrdons for oHenses against the
United States. except in cases of impeach-
ment, and
WHEREAS, Rebellion now exists where
by the loyal States and governments of
subverted. and many persons have commit
ted. and are now guilty Of treason against
the United States. and
WHEREAS. with reference to said rebellion
and treason. laws have been enacted by
Congress declaring the forfeiture and con
fscation of property, and the liberation of
slaves, all upon terms and conditions there
in stated and also declaring that the Presi-
dent was thereby authorized at any time
thereafter by proclamation. to extend to
persons who may have participated in the
existing rebellion IN any State or part there
OF, pardon and amnesty, with such excep.
tons, and at such terms and on such condi-
tons as he may deem expe dent, for the pub
lie welfare, and
WHEREAS, the Congressional declaration
for limited and conditional pardon acc rds
with well established judicial expositions of
The pardoning power. and
WHEREAS. with reference to said rebellion,
the President of the United States has issued
several proclanaii1ns, with provisions in
regard to the Liberation of slaves, and
WHEREAS, it is now desired by some
persons, hereto ore eng aged in said rebel
lion, to res ime their allegiance 10 the United
States, and renaugurate loyal State Gov
ernments within aud for their respective !.
States. therefore,
|, Abraham Lincoln. President of the
United States, do proclaim, declare and
make known, to all persous who have d (
rectly or by implication participated in the
existing rebellion, except as hereinafter ex
cepted. thai. fall pardon is granted to
them and each of them with restoration OF
all rights, if third parties shall have inter-
vened, and upon the condition that every
81. ii -. a 4. l.
and theDcetorward keep and maintain said
oath inviolate, and which GA h shall b. regis t
tered for permanent preservation. and shall 1
be of the tenor and effect following. to- Wit
81 do slemnly swear in presence Of Al I
mighty God. that l will hence, nth faithful
ly support. protec, and defend the Constitu- I
ton OF the United States, and the Union of
States hereunder; and that l will in like /
manner. abide by, and faithfully support all /
acts of Congress. passed during the existing
REBELLION, with reference 70 slaves. SO long, I
and so far as not YET repealed, modified or
held void by Congress, OF by decision of the /
Supreme Court, and. that l will ia like man
nner. abide by. and faithfully support all
proclamations by the President made during
The existing rebellion. having reference 10
slaves, so long and SO far as not modified or
declared void By decision OF the Supreme
Court. so help me God"
The persons excepted from the benefits
of the foregoing provisions are all who are
or shall have been civil or diplomatic Off /
GERS OF agents of the so-called Confsderste /
Government; and who have left Judicial sta-
tons under the United States 70 aid the ra- !
belliou; all who are or shall have been mil |
li,ary naval officers Of the rank Of colo /
mel 10 the army or Lieutenant 10 the navy; !
all who left seats in the United States Con |
gress to aid in the rebellion; all who resign
ed thar comm ssiors n, the apury .oA =.