Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-12-11

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rallying point-a plan of action. Why shall
we adopt the plan of rather than that of
B? If A and should agree, how can they
know but the General Government here will
respect their plan? By the Proclamation
plan is presented which can be accepted by
them IS rallying point, and which they are
assured ia advance will not be rejected here.
This may bring them to act sooner than they
otherwise would. The objection to prema-
ture presentation of plan by the National
Executive consists in the danger of COM
initial in points which could be more safely
left to further developments. Care has been
taken to so phrase the document as to avoid
embarrassment from this source.
In saying that on certain terms certain
classes will be pardoned, with their rights re-
stored, it is not said that other classes on
other terms will ever be included In saying
a reconstruction will be accepted if present.
ed in specified time, it is not said it will
never be accepted in any other way.
The movements in State action in emanci.
patton in several of the States not included in
the emancipation proclamation are matters of
profound qualification, and while do not re-
peat in detail what I have heretofore so urg-
emily urged upon this subject, my general
views and feelings continue unchanged, and
trust Congress will omit no fair opportunity
of aiding these important steps to the great
contamination.
CONCLUSION.
In the midst Of other cares, howe yer i'm
portant, we must not lose sight OF the fact
that the war power is still our maintenance,
and to that power alone can we look yet for
t;,oo IN <v;vo oonEdopoo 70 fho noo~1o -,
contested regions, that the insurgent power
will not again overrun them. Until that con-
fidence can be established, little can be done
anywhere for what is called reconstruction.
However, our chief care must still be direct
ed to our army and navy who have borne
their part so well, and it may be esteemed
fortunate that in giving the greatest eficien-
cy to these indispensable arms we do also
honorably encourage gallant men, from COM
mander to sentinel, who compose them, to
whom, more than to all others, the world
stands indebted for the home of freedom dis
enthralled, regenerated, enlarged and perpet-
uated.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 8, 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 reprieves
and pardons for offences against the United
States, except in cases of impeachment and
| whereas rebellion now exists whereby the
legal States and governments of several
States have for long time been subverted,
and many persons have committed, and are
now guilty of, treason against the United
States; and whereas, with reference to said
rebellion and treason, laws have been enacted
| by Congress, causing the forfeiture and con-
fiscation of property, and liberation of slaves,
| all upon terms and conditions therein stated,
and also declaring that the President was
thereby authorized, at any time thereafter,
by proclamation, to extend to persons who
may have participated in the existing rebel
lion, in any State and part thereof, pardon
and amnesty with such exceptions and at
such terms and on such conditions as be may
deem expedient for the public welfare; and,
whereas, the congressional declaration for
limited and conditional pardon accords with
we'll established judicial expositions of the
pardoning power; and, whereas, with refer
ence to said rebellion, the President of the
United States has issued several proclama-
tons with provisions in regard to the liberia.
ton 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 re-inaugurate loyal State
governments within and for their respective
States: therefore,
1, Abraham Lincoln, President of the Uni
ted States, do proclaim, declare, and make
known to all persons who have directly or by
implication participated in the existing rebel
lion, except as hereinafter stated that full
pardon ia granted to them, and each of them,
with a restoration of all rights, if no third
parties shall have interviewed, and upon the
condition that such person shall take and sub
scribe an oath and thenceforward keep and
maintain said oath inviolate, and which oath
will be registered for permanent preservation,
and shall be of the tenor and effect following,
to-wit:
81 do solemnly swear in presence of AL
mighty God, that will henceforth faithfully
support, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States, and the Unien of States
Hereunder, that will in like manner abide
by and faithfully support all acts of Congress
passed during the existing rebellion, with
W SfdfCo1 oO 81 ioA oC wv ~
pealed, modified or held void by Congress or
by decision of the Supreme Court. and that
will IN like manner abide by and faithfully
support all proclamations of the President
made during the existing rebellion, having
reference to slavery, so long and SO far as not
modified or declared void by decision Of the
Supreme Court, so help me God"
The persons excepted from the benefits OF
the foregoing provisions are all who are or
shall have been civil or diplomatic officers or
agents Of the so called Confederate Govern
ment, al. who have left judicial stations under
the United States to all the rebellion. all who
are or who shall have been naval or military
officers, of the rank of colonel in the army or
lieutenant in the navy, or who left seats in
the United States Congress to aid the rebel
lion, all who resigned their commissions in
the army or navy Of the United States and
afterward aided the rebellion, and all who
have been engaged in treating colored per-
sons and white prisoners in charge of such
otherwise than lawfully as prisoners Of war
and which persons may be found in the
United States service as soldiers, seamen, or
in any other capacity.
do further proclaim, declare and make
known. that whenever in any of the States of
Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Al
abama Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and
North Carolina. number of persons. not
less than one tenth of the number of votes
cast in each Sta'e at the Presidential election
Of the year of our Lord 1860, each having
taken the oath aforesaid and not having since
violated it, and being qualified voter by the
election laws of the State Immediately before
the so.called act of secession and excluding
all others, shall have established State gov
eminent which shall be republican and in no
wise contravening said oath, such shall be
recognized as the true government of the
State, and the United States will receive
them under the benefits Of the constitutional
nrov;e;on which doclaraa that the limited