Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-23

Supposing our readers have curiosity to
see the late message of President Lincoln to
his Congress- and presuming that Lincoln
wants our people to see how gracious he is,
and what loving proclamation he has is
sued to us all in Dixie, we publish both in
our issue to-day. Whenever the British en-
voys wished to tempt our fathers in the Rev.
olution by their proffers of amnesty. the
Continental Congress always assisted in
giving their proclanlations awide circula-
tion, for not only did Congress contide in
the loyalty of the people, but they consider
= ed those papers as calculated to animate the
popular patriotism. ..err,u.f .ff
A hundred times stronger are our reasons
for expecting this result now. Never did
British Commissioner or General, in all his
arrogance, put forth so impudent message
as the Washington man has sent down to
us. He is going to forgive us something, it
seems, on certain terms. TO the most libe-
raj, unqualified and all-embracing offer of
forgiveness to our fathers, DR.. Franklin re-
piled: ''We, who have committed no offense
need no forgiveness" Our answer would
be the same, even if Lincoln's offer initiated
the humanity of Britain's. Forgive us
what? Forgive us because he has invaded
our States with armed multitudes, to over
throw our laws, destroy our liberties, COM
pass our destruction? Forgive us because
he has plundercd our seas and raYaged our
coasts? Forgive us for having burned our
towns and desolated our homes? Forgive
us for the many thousands of our brothers
and sons and dear friends whom he has slain
upon our own soil, and while repelling his
invasion? Forgive us for the many dear
mutilated ones who willremain, the legacy
of the war, when the war is over? Forgive
us for having outraged even the sensibilities
nf hrTl tc 1pf tn ta 10
revolt? Forgive us for his Beast Butler, and
for the thousand atrocities which he has let
loose against us?
Hemay forgive us for these his crimes !;
but so long as we have hearts to feel and
hands to strike, we shall never forgive him.
How impudent it is to come. with our broth
ers' blood upon his accursed hands, and ask
us to accept his forgiveness But he goes
further. He makes his forgiveness depen-
dent upon terms. We have only to swear
obedience to his will. We have to swear
that the proclamation of emancipation
which he issued last year, and which we re-
ceived with mocking, and which has since
been general derisOn, shall be submitted
to by us. Our society is to be upturned.-
Instead of that distinction between the races
necessary for the happiness of both, he asks
us to swear that we will have none at ALL
unless his Congress of fanatics or his packed
bench of judges shall say that his procla-
nation was wind. But all this will not do.
We must abandon to that demon thirst for
their blood, which has been indecently eX-
hibited from the first, all the men who have
rendered our annals conspicuous, and under
whose lead we have won a fame, if not u
name, among the nations. Wemust leave
the President to Abraham's tender mercies.
The Army of the Potomac must offer up
their glorious leader, under whom both
have become illustrious. Beauregard must
be hung. In short, every officer down to
Colonel, and every civil functionary, from
Congressman to messenger, and from Gov
ernOr to constable, are to be retained for
Lincoln's malignity. How he and Seward
and Summer would gloat over the hanging
bodies of the ''dead rebels"
Is even Lincoln base enough to imagine
that brave people such as the Confederates
have proven themselves, would, under any
stress of fortune, prove traitors to the men
whom they have called to lead them in camp
or council?
This infamous proclamation will but
arouse us to new zeal and new efforts.
LNcoLN's MESSAGE.
from the Richmond Enquirer Dec. 14.l
We, this morning, crafty the curiosity of
our readers with the message of Abraham
Lincoln. Recovering but recently from an
attack of the smallpox, some excuse may
be made for the message. 1t is but another
exhibition of his weakness and folly. Why
his Cabinet viii permit him to make such
fool of himself, and render their country an
object of contempt and ridicule throughout
the world, can only be accounted for ON
the supposition that it is the easiest way to
get rid of him. They, therefore, permit
him to have the freest and fullest use of his
pen. ,-l ..st.t ..,. a.,t.sL ....
To his Proclamation of Amnesty and Re-
construction, we especially invite the at
tention of our readers, and when the "one-
TENTH are ready to succumb, we ask the
privilege of announcing it to their Father
Abraham.
At the present, we have not the space to
review the Message, and do not know that
we shall hereafter find the time; but as
there are some features in it so characteris-
tic of Yankee, we may on future occa-
sions refer to this Message.
From the Richmond Examiner, Dec. 14l
The message of Abraham Lincoln is to
be found in the Journal of this morning
In style it is bare as a leaf from ledger.
Such derisive laughter has been excited by
the Hoosier's previous attempts at fine writ
my UlldC lle lldS nO longer SplTlG 10 SHOW Hlln-
self. The tone is subdued; the language
dry and plain; the exposition is brief as
arithmetic. But all reflection upon the
general characteristics of this Estate Paper"
is forgotten in wonder over the conclusion
at which it arrives and the proclamation
appended thereto. After reaffirming the
universal abolition of slavery, without com
pensation, in the ebreadestmanner, Abraham
Lincoln offers 'pardon" to all persons in
the Confederacy, under the rank of Colonel,
and who have not held any civil office, exc
cutive, judicial, Legislative, or diplomatic in
the Confederate States, who will give them
selves up, and swear oaths of allegiance to
the United States, which contain an obliga-
tion to accept the proclamation emancipat-
ing the slaves. When one-tenth of the pop
ulation of any State has sworn this oath,
the said tenth shall constitute State Gov
ment and send members to Congress at
Washington. On condition of such submis-
sion, the creatures who make it shall be
permitted to crawl on the face of the earth,
and possess property. with the exception of
slaves. These are to be enrolled in the army
of the United States and quartered over the
conquered States, where negro soldiers will
'ibe billeted in every house, andnegro Pro-
vost Marshals, lord it in every village.
Such are the first terms Of peace offered
by the United States to the people of the