Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-12-18
PLAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION.

In that authority has been suspended,
have thought fit to issue proclamation
copy of which is herewith transmitted
In examination of this proclamation, j
will appear, as is believed, that nothing
is attempted beyond what is amply JUST
fed by the constitution. True, the form
of an oath is given, but no man is coerc-
ed to take it. The man is only promised
pardon in case he voluntarily takes the
oath. The constitution authorizes the
executive to grant or withhold the par
don at bis own absolute discretion, and
this includes the power to grant on terms,
as is fully established by Judicial and 9th
er authorities. 1t is also proffered that,
il in any of the states named a state gov
eminent shall be in the mode prescribed
set up, such government shall be recog-
nized and guaranteed by the United
States, and that under it the state shall,
on the constitutional conditions, be pros
tected against invasion and domestic VIC
lence. 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 cases stated, is explicit and full,
And why tender the benefits Of this
provision only to a state government set
up in this particular way? This section
of the constitution contemplates a case
wherein the element within a state ia
vorable to republican government in the
Union may be too feeble for an opposite
and hostile element, external to or even
within the state; and such are precisely
the cases with which we are now dealing,
An attempt to guarantee and protect a
revived state government, constructed in
whole or in preponderating part from the
very element against whose hostility and
violence it is TO be protected, is simply
absurd. There must be a test by which
10 separate the opposing elements, so as
to build only from those that are sound,
and that test is sufficiently liberal one
which accepts as sound whoever will
make sworn recantaiion of his former
unsoundness. But if it be proper to re-
quire as test of admission to the poiti-
cal body an oath Of allegiance to the con.
stilution of the United States, and 10 the
Union under it, why not also to The laws
md proclamalions in regard to slavery
Those laws and proclamations were en-
,,ted and put forth for the purpose of
Iiding in the suppression of the rebel
ion. To give them their fullest effect, :
here had to be pledge for their main .
enance. In my judgment, they have
.ided and will further aid the cause for
which they were intended. To now
lbandon them would be not only TO re. /
inquish lever Of power, but would al.
o be cruel and astounding breach of
ailh. ! may add, at this point, that
while / remain in my present position !
shall not attempt TO retract or modify the ,
emancipation proclamation, nor shall /
return TO slavery any person who is free
BY the terms Of that proclamation or by
any of the acts Of Congress. For these
md other reasons, it is thought best that
support Of these measures shall be inclu-
led in the oath, and it is believed the ex-
,cutive may lawfully claim it in return
or pardon and the restoration of forfeited
rights which he has clear constitutional
power TO withhold altogether, or grant
upon the terms he shall deem wisest for
The public interest. 1t should be obser-
we'd, also, that this part of the oath is
subject TO the modifying and abrogaiing
power Of legislation and supreme judicial
decision. The proposed acquescence OF
The national executive in any reasonable
temporary state arrangement for the
reed people is made with the view OF
possibly modifying the confusion and des.
Iitution, which must at best attend all
classes, by total revolution of labor
throughout tie whole of these states. II
Is hoped that the already deeply afflicted
people in those states may be somewhat
more ready TO give up the cause of their
,ffliction il, to this extent, this vital mat
er be left TO themselves, while no power
II the national executive, TO prevent an
buse, is abridged by the propositions
The supposiGon in the proclamation as
o maintaining the political framework Of
he States, on what is called reconstruc-
ion, is made in the hope that it may do
good without any danger of harm. 1t
will save labor and avoid great confu-
lion. But why any proclamation now
,pon this subject? This question is be-
Jet with the conflicting views that the
tep might be delayed too long or be ia
zen too soon. In some states the ele-
nents for resumption seem ready for ac- :