Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-12-17

IN advance VIII not DO rejected here. This
may bring them to act sooner than they
otherwise would The objection to =
premature presentation OF plan
by the National Executive, consists
in the danger of commitment in points
which could be more safely left to further
Developments. Care has been taken to
80 shape the document as to avoid en-
bsrrassment from this source. in saying
that in certain terms certain classes will
be pardoned with their rights restored. -
II is not said other classes on other terms
will never be included, in saying that
reconstruction will be accepted If presen-
ted in specified way; it is not said that
it will never be excepted in any other
way.
The movements by State actions for
emancipation in several of the States not
included in Emancipation PROCLAIM ation
are matters Of profound graduation, AID 1
do not repeat in detail what have here
tofore so earnestly urged upon this sub
ject, my general views and feelings re-
main unchanged, and | trust that Con-
gress will omit no fair opportunity of
aiding these important steps to the great
cares however important, we must not
lose sight of the fact that the war power
is still our main reliance. To that pow
er alone can we look yet for a time to
give confidence to the people in the con-
tested regions that the insurgent power
will not again overrun them. Until that
confidence shall be established, little can
be done anywhere for what is called re-
construction; hence our chief care must
still be directed to our army and navy,
who have thus far borne their harder part
SO nobly and well; and it may be esteem
ed fortunate that il giving the greatest
efficiency to their indispensable arms. we
do also honorably encourage gallent men,
from commander to sentinel, who COM
| pose them, and to whom. more than to
all others the world must stand indebted
for the home of freedom, disenthralled.
regenerated, enlarged and perpetuated.
(Signed,) A. LINCOLN.
Washington, Dec. 9Th, 1868.
The following Proclamation is appen-
ded to the Message
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, In and by the Constitution
of the United States. it is provided that
the President shall have power to grant
reprieves and pardons for offenses against
the United States, except in cases of i'm
peachment; and, Whereas, a rebellion
now exists whereby the loyal States and
Governments of several States have for
long time been subverted, and mary per-
sons have committed and are now guilty
:, Of Treason against the United States,
. and, Whereas, with reference to said re-
= bellion, and treason laws have been en-
: acted by Congress declaring the forfeiture
and confscation of property and liberia
tion of slaves, all upon terms and condi-
: tions therein stated and also declaring
: that the President was thereby authorized
at any time hereafter, by Proclamation,
to extend to persons who may have par
ticipated in the existing rebellion, in any
, State or part thereof, pardon and amnes-
ty with such exceptions and at such
terms and on such conditions as he may
deem expedient for the public welfare !;
. and, Whereas, the Congressional declar-
alton for limited and Constitutional par
don accords with the we'll established iu-
dicial expositions of the pardoning pow
er; Whereas with reference to said rebel
lion the President of the United States
has issued several proclamations with
provisions in regard to the liberation
of slaves, and whereas it is now desired
by some persons heretofore engaged in
said rebellion to resume their allegiance
to the United States and reinaugurate
loyal State governments within and for
their respected States. therefore, l.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of
the United States, do proclaim, declare.
and make known to all persons who have
directly or by implication participated in
the existing rebellion, as hereinafter ex-
cepted, that full pardon is granted to
them, and each of them, with restors-
tion of all rights, if these parties shall
have intervened. and upon the conditions
that every such person shall take and sub
scribe an oath. and thenceforth keep and
maintain said oath inviolate, and which
oath shall be registered for permanent
preservation, and shall be of the tenor
and effect the following, to wit +:
Il do swear in presence of the AL
mighty God, that / will henceforth faith
} fully support, protect and defend the
Constitution Of the United States, and
the Union of States Hereunder, and that
l will in like manner abide by and faith
fully support all acts of Congress passed
, during the existing rebellion with refer
l ence TO slaves, so long and so far as not
D repealed, modified or held void by Con
! gress or by decision of Supreme Court.
: and that l will in like manner abide by
and faithfully support all proclamations
: of the President made during the exist
b ing rsbellion, having reference to slaves.
: so long and so far as not modified or de-
= clared void by the decision of the Su-
/. preme Court SO help me God.'
: The persons excepted from from the
# benefits of the foregoing provisions arr
S all who are, or who shall have been, civ
!, ic or diplomatic officers or agents OF thu
i so called Confederate Government; sl
y who have left judicial stations under tn
le United States to aid the rebellion; al
t. who are or shall have been military o
is naval officers of the rank of Colonel u
pc the army and Lieutenant in the navy; al
er who left seats in the United States Con
id eyess to aid in the rebellion; all who re
a. signed their commissions in the army anc
~ ITn;tod Ctataa and Afterwards