The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-12-12

shall be 'included in the oath, and it Is be.
lieved the Executive may lawfully claim it
in return for pardon and restoration of for.
feited rights which he has clear constitu.
tional 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
abrnga.ing power Of legislation, and su.
preme judicial decision.
The proposed acquiescence of the Nation
al Executive in any reasonable aud tempo.
rary State arrangement for the freed PEG.
pie, is made with the view on possibly mod
flying the confusion and restitution which
must at best attend all classes by total re.
vo!ution on labor throughout the whole
States. Il is hoped that the already afflicted
people in those States may he somewhat
more ready to give up the cause of their
aiEictioI, It, TO this extent, this vital mat.
ter be left to themselves, while no power
Of tie National Executive to prevent an
abuse is abridged by the proposition.
The suggestion in the proclamation as to
maintaining the political framework of the
States on what was called reconstruction,
is made in the hope that it may do good
without the danger of harm. 1t will save
labor aud avoid great confusion.
But why any proclamation now upon the
subject? This question is beset by the con.
iicting views that the step might be delayed
too long or he taken too soon. In some
States the elements of resumption seem
ready tor action, but remain inactive appa.
renty for want OF rallying point, plan
Of action.
Why shall! 4 adopt the plan of B rather
than B that of A? And if A and B
should agree, how can they know but that
the General Government here will reject
their plan? BY the proclamation plan is
presented which may be accepted by them
as rallying point and which they are as.
sured in advance will not be rejected here.
This may bring them To act sooner than
they otherwise would.
The objection to IL premature presentation
OF plan by the National Executive con.
sists IN the danger Of committals on points
which could be more safely left to further
Developments. Care has been taken to so
shape the dccumen: as to avoid embarrass
ment from this source.
In saying that on certain terms certain
classes will be pardoned with their rights
restored, it is not said that other classes on
other terms will never be included In say.
ing chat u reconstruction will he accepted if
presented in q specified way, it is not said
that 1t will not be accepted in any other way
The movements, by State action, for
emancipation III several of the States not
included i'll the Emancipation Proclamation,
are matters of profound graduation And
while do not repeat in detail what have
heretofore so earnestly urged upon this sub,
ject. my general views and feelings remain
unchanged, and l trust that Congress will
omit no fair opportunity of aiding these
important steps to the great consumma,ion
In the midst of other cares, however i'm.
portant, We must not lose sight Of the fact
that the war power is still our main rel.
ance to that power alone can we look, ye,
tor a time, to give confidence to the people
in the contested regions that the insurgent
power will not again overrun them. Until
that confidence shall he established, little
can be done anywhere for what is called
Reconstruction hence, our chiefcst care
must still be directed to The army and navy,
who have thus far borne their harder. part
so noby and SO well and it may be es.
teemed fortunate tina, in giving the greatest
efficiency to those indispensable arms, we
honestly recognize the ga!ent men, from
commander to sentinel who compose them,
more than to others, the world must stand
indebted for the home of freedom, olsen
thralled regenerated, enlarged and perpet,
uated. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 8, 1868.