The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-18
RECONSTRUCTION,

7" WORT RECONSTRUCTION EIE.
( Looking to reconstruction of the Union
and with reference to resumption of ma
d tional authority within the States where
that authority has been suspended, 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 justi-
fed by the Constitution True, the form
OF an oath is given, but no man is coerced
to take it. A man is only proffered
pardon in case he voluntarily takes the
oath The Constitutional authority of the
Executive to grant pardon on. terms is
iully established by judicial and other au-
thOrities.
1t Is also proffered that the States
named asserting, governments shall be in
the mode prescribed set up. Such gov
ernments shall be recognized and guaran-
teed by the United States, and that the
State shall under Constitutional copdi-
tons be protected against Invasion and
domestic violence.
Inc constitutional obligations of the United
States 10 guarantee to every State in the Union
arepubllcan form of government and to pro-
tect the State in cases as stated is explicit and
Auu UuI why tcHucT Gne DEMENT'S OF this DrO-
vision only to State government set M i'm this
particular way. This section of the Constitu-
tlOn contemplates case wherein the elements
OF State favorable to a republican government
In the Union, may be too feeble for an opposite
and hostile element external TO and even with
IN the State and such are precisely The cases
WIN which we are now dealing.
An attempt to guarantee and protect re-
Vlsed state government, constituted in whole
or IN preponderating part from the very ele-
ment against whose hostility and violence it is
to be protected, is simply absurd.
There must be cest by which to sepa-
rate opposing elements, SO as to build only
from the souzd, and that test is a sutfi-
cient and liberal one, which accepts as
sound whoever will make sworn recog-
milton OF his former unseundness. But if it
be proper means as a test of admission to
the political body, an oath of submission to
the Constitution of the United States and
to the Union, under it, why not also ia
laws and prOclamatiOns in regard to sav-
cry? These laws and proclamations were
enacted and put forth for the purpose of
aiding in the suppression of the rebellion.
10 give them their fullest effect there
had to be pledge for their maintenance.
In my judgment they have aided and will
further aid the cause for which they were
enacted.
To give up this principle would be not only
to relinquish lever of power, but would also
be cruelty and an astounding breach of faith.
will add at this point, that while l remain in
my present position, l shall not attempt to re-
tract or modify the Emancipation Proclama-
ton, nor shall l return to slavery any person
who Is free by the laws of the proclamation or
by any act of Congress. For these and other
= thOuUbt hest thot 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 cOnstitu-
ton power to withhold altogether 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 subject to the modifying and abro-
eating power OF legislation and supreme Judi
clal decisions. The proposed acquiesence of
the national executive in any honorable tempo
rary 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 total revolution of labor
throughout the States. 1t is hoped that the
already deeply afflicted people in those States
may be made ready to give up the source of
their affection and to this end 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 States,
or what is called reconstruction, is made in the
hope that it may do good without the dang.
OF harm. 1t will save labor and avoid great
confusioa.
But why any proclamation now on this sui
Ject! This question is beset with the conflict
sng views, that the step might be delayed too
long, or be taken too soon. In some. The eie- y
ments for resumption will soon be ready for ac-
fI.Nn htrt
want OF Il rallying pOnt-a plan of ton.
Why shall We adopt the plan of B rather
than A? And if \ and B should agree, how
can they know that the General Government
here will respect their plan?
BY the Proclamation as presented, which
may be accepted by them as rallying point,
and which they are assured may bring them to
action sooner than they otherwise would. The
objection to st premature application by the
National Executive consists in the danger of
committing in points which would be more
safely left
To shape the document as to avoid embar-
assment from this source, SO that certain classes
Will he pardOned with their rights restored, it
j. not said that other classes ON other terms
will never be included. In saying that re-
construction will be accepted, if presented in
specified way, 1t is not said that it will never
be accepted in any other way.
EMANCIPATION IN STATES NOT INCLUDED IN
The movements for Emancipation in several
OF the States not included in the Emancipation
PROCLAMATION, are matters of profound con-
graduation, and while do not repeat in detail
what have heretofore earnestly said upon
this subject, my general views and feelings are
Unchanged, and trust that Congress will omit
no fair opportunity of aiding these important
steps 10 the great cOnsummatou
WAR POWER OUR MAIN KEII ANCE AFTER ALL
In the tidst of other causes, however important
we NUT not lose sight of the fact that the war power
Is still our main reliance To that power alone can
We look for time to give confidence 70 the people in
the contested region, that the nsurgent power
will not again Overrun them
Unl thar confidt nee shall be established, little
can be dUna anywhere from what is called recon-
struction Hence chief feature must be directed
t. the army ana navy, who have thus far done its
ardest Fart SO nObly and WELL 1t may be esteemed
fortunate that in giving the greatest praise to these
arms, we do, honOrably encourage the
gallant men, from commander to sentinel. who COM
pose them and to whom, more than all others, the
world must stand indebted for the home of freedom
mot disintegrated, but enlarged and perpetuated
ISignedI ABRAHAM lJN,yTN
December s. 1868.
The Russian Naval Officers.