The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-12

In whole or in part from the very ele
ment against whose hostility and violenc
it is to be protected, is simply absurd
There must be test by which to sepa
from the sound, and that test is sufficient
ly liberal one which accepts as such who
ever will make q sworn recantation o
his former unsoundness. But if it b
proper to require as q test of admission I.
the political body an oath of allegiance t.
the Constitution of the United States ant
Union under it, also to the laws and pro
laws and proclamation were enacted ant
put forth for the purpose of aiding tn,
| suppression of the rebellion-to give thei
fullest effect there had to be pledge fo
! their maintenance. In my Judgment the,
have aided and will further aid the caus.
for which they were enlisted. To give u,
1 this principle would be not only to relin
quish lever of power, but would also b,
a cruel and astounding breach of faith
I may add at this point that while re
main in my present position I shall no
attempt to retract or modify the Elnancipa
ton Proclamation, nor shall I return t.
slavery any person who is free by thu
terms of the PROCLAMATION or by any act O
Congress. For these and other reasons il
is thought best that the support of these
persons shall be included in the oath, and
it is believed the Executive NAV lawfully
claim it in return for pardops and the re.
stnraf.on ct to. -.eited rights, which ne has
clear constitutional power to withhold
altogether or grant, upon the terms which
he shall deem wisest for the public in.
terest. 1t should be observed also that
this part of the oath is subject to the
modifying and abrosating power of legis-
lation and supreme judicial decision.
The proposed accquiesence of the Ma
nnI1ty l. ~
rary State arrangement for the freed peo-
pie is made with the view of possibly mod
flying the confusion and restitution which
must at best attend all classes by total
revolution of labor throughout the whole
States. 1t is hoped that the already deeply
afflicted in these States may be somewhat
more ready to give up the afflction, and to
this extent this vital matter is left to them
selves, While no power of the National Ex-
ecutlve to prevent an abuse is abridged by
the proposition. The suggestion in the
proclamation as to maintaining the politi-
cal frame works of the States or what is
called reconstruction, is made in the::hope
that it may do good without the danger of
harm; it will save labor and avoid great
confusion. But why any proclamation..now
when this subject, this question is met with
the conflicting views that the step might
be delayed toe, long or be taken too soon? In
some the elements for resumption seem
ready for action, but they remain inactive,
APPARENTLY for the want of rallying point,
a plan OF action. Why shall we adopt the
plan of B, rather than that of A. ia and B
should agree, how can they know but that
the general Government here will reject
their plan? By the Proclamation plan is
presented to them as a rallying point, and
which they are assured in advance will
not be rejected here; this may bring them
to act sooner than they otherwise would
The objection OF a presentation of plan
by the National Executive consists in the
manner Of settling points which could be
more safely left to farther developments.
Care has been taken to so shape the docu-
ment as to avoid ADVERTISEMENTS from this
source. in saying that on certainrterms GER
tain classes will be pardoned with their
rights restored it is not said that other
clsses on othessrterms will ever be included.
In saying reconstruction will be accepted
if presented in specified way it is not said
it will never be accepted in any other way.
The movement for emancipation in sew
eral ofthe States not included in the eman-
clpatlon Proclamation, are matters OF pro-
found qualification. And while do not re-
peat in detail what have heretofore so ear
nestly urged upon this subject, my memo
rial views and feelings remain unchanged,
and trust that Congress will omit no fair
opportunity of aiding these important steps
to the great contamination. In the midst |
OF other cares, however important, we must
not lose sight of the fact that the war power
is still our main reliance. To that power
alone can we look. Yet for time to come
the people in contested regions must look |
that the insurgent power will not again
overrun them. Until that confidence shall |
be established, little can be done any where
for what is called reconstruction. Hence
our chief care must still be directed to our
Army and Navy, who have thus far done
their labor so nobly and well, and it may
be esteemed that in giving the greatest eff
cheney to these indispensable arms, we do
also honorably encourage gallant men,
from commander to sentinel, who compose
then, and to whom more than to all others, |
the world stands indebted for the home of
freedom disenthralled, regenerated, enlar-
ged and perpetuated. (Slgned)
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, |
Dec. Sth, 1868.
The following Proclamation is appended
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 re-
preves and pardons, except IN cases OF i'm
and whereas, a rebellion now
exits among the loyal States, and the Gov
OF several States have for long
line been Subverted, and many persons
have committed and are now guilty of trea-
son against the United States and where
Is, with reference to said rebellion and
reason laws have been enacted by Con-
sress calling for the forfeiture and contis-
,ation of property and liberation of slaves,
Ill upon terms therein stated; and also de-
,laring that the President was thereby au-
horized at any time thereafter, by procla-
nation, to extend to persons who may
lave participated in the existing rebellion
n any State and part thereof, pardon
md amnesty, with such exceptions and on
uch terms, and on such condition as he
nay deem expedient for the public well
are, calling for the Congressional declara-
ion for limited and conditional pardon
lccords with the well established iu-
licial expositions of the pardoning power,
md,
Whereas, with reference to said rebellion
he President Of the United States has is
ued several proclamations with provi-
ions in regard to the Liberation of slaves:
nd whereas, it is now desired by some
PERSONS heretofore engaged in said rebel
ion to resume their allegiance to the Uni
ed States, and re-inaugurate loyal State
governments within and for their respec-
i've States therefore T ABRAHAM TN