Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-12-10

u 10 DcAf the country tutouku tuas t.ess H,e' |
Thus We have the new reckoning, The crisis
which threatened 10 divide the frends OF the |
Union Is past Looking now TO the present |
and future, and with reference TO resumpuon |
Of the national authority within ,ns s,ssSs
I have thought lit TO issue q proclamation
y copy Of which is hereby transmitted, On sx-
animation Of this proclamation, II Will appear, Is
il believed that nothing is attemp ed beyond What
is amply justified by the constitution irue, the
form Of an oath 10 given, but no man "a oosrced 20
take II. The man is only promised pardon IN
case he voluntarily takes the oath, The consti- i
tuition authorizes the executive TO grant or With
hold the pardon, at his own absolute direction,
and this includes the power to grant on terms, as
Is fully established by Judicial and other author
tiles II IS al'o proffered that IL, in aay OF the
states named, q state government shall be, IN the
mode prescribed, set up, such government shall
be recognized and gaarants cd BY eunitedstates.
and that under il the state shsl on the constitu-
tional conditions, be protected against INVASION
and domestic violence. The constitutional OBJ
legation oil the Unied States to guarantee 10 ev.
cry state republican form OF government and
to protect the state in the cases is explicit and
full But why tender the benefits OF this proyi-
sion only to state government set up IN TINS
particular way This section Scntempiates
case wherein the element within slnts iavor-
able 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
n
protect q revived state government constructed
in whole or in preponderating part from the
very element against whose hostility and yio-
lence III to be protected is simply absurd There
must be test by which to separate the opposing
elements so as TO build only from the sound and
that test is sufficiently liberal one, which ac-
oepts sound whoever will make sworn
reeantatioa of his former unsoundness. But il 1t
be proper 90 require as test OF admission 10 the
political body oath Of allegiance TO the eonsti-
tuition of the United States and the Union under
it, why also TO laws aud proclamations regarding
slavery These laws and tionswere enacted
and put forth for the purpose of aiding IN the
suppression OF the rebellion. To give them their
fullest effect there had to be pledge for their
ma ptenanee, In INV ;.dement .h-Y lave aided
and will further aid the cause for which they were
intended. To now abandon would be not only 70
rclinauish lever OF power, but would also be
cruel and astounding breech Of faith.
may add at this point that while remain in
my present position shall not attempt to retrao,
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 and other rea-
sons, thought bestthat supporter theeemessures
shall ee included in the oath, and it is believed
the Executive may lawfully claim 1t In return for
pardon and restoration Of forfeiteo rights viii CHI
he has clear constitutional power TO withhold al
together, or grant upon the terms he shall deem
the wisest for the public interest. 1t should De
observed also that this part Of the oath is subject
TO the modifying and abrogsting pow
dicial decision The proposed ac-
quiesoenoe'of the national executive in any
reasonable temporary state arrangement for
the freed people is made with the view of posi-
bly, mo iifl ing the conhscation and desttution
which must at best attend all 0 asses by a
Z total revolution of labor throughout whole
states. 1t is hoped that the already deep af-
ficted people in those states may be somewhat
more ready to give up the cause of their afflc-
tiap N To- wi m at hp ~ m
themselves, while DO power of the national
executive to prevent an abuse Is abridged by
| the proposition. he suggestion in the procls-
nation as to maintaining the political frame
work of the states on what is called reconstruct
| ton / made in the hope that il may do good
| without danger OF harm Ii Will save labor
| and avoid great confusion SUI rG1a fHE
But wny any loGlamation now upon this sub
]ect' This question is beset with the conflicting
veNs, that the step might be della ed too long, or
| he tlken too soon. In some states the elements
| for resumption seem ready for action, but remain
inactive apparently for want of raj ying point :
| a plan OF action. Why shall adopt the plan OF
| b, rather than that a! Aud If A and
! should agree, how can they know but that the
! genera COVE, n here will reject their plan
| BY the proclamation P an IS presented which
may be accepted BIZ them the rallying point,
| and which they assured n advance viii not be
| rejected here This NAV bring them TO account
sooner than they, otherwise would. The objec
| tlcns 20 3 prema ure presentation of a
|
| sists in the danger of ommittals on points
which could be more safely left TO farther Develop
ments. Care has been taken to shape the an
n ouncement as to AVOID embarrassment from tGis
source, saying that in certain terms, cert ln elias
| ses will be pardoned with rights restored IL is
notsaid that other classes othfr terms Will new
| er be included, Saying that reconstruction will be
accepted if presented IN specified way It Is not
| said that it will never be accented " any other
| way. The mo ements by State action, for eman.
1 Of MOI dp1 IN,
| the emancipation proclamation, matters OF
| pr found qualification, and while do not repeat
! i'll detail what heretofore earnestly urged up
on this subject, my general views and feelings
rsma n unchanged and trust Congress will emit
no fair opportunity of aiding these important
steps to the great consummation In the midst
| of other cares, however important, we must not
lose sight of the fact that he war power is still
| our msn reliance. To that power alone car
we look yet for q time to give confidence to thu
| people in the contested regions that the insur
gent power will not again overrun them Unit
that confidence can be established, little can bs
! done anywhere Tor what ia called reconstruc
'iion. Hence our chief care must still be direct
I I'd to the army and navy, who have thus fal
| bore their harder part so nobly and well, ano
| it may b. esteemed fortunate that in giving tn,
| greatest EN- enoy to these indispensable arms
| wei do aIso hSnorably recognize the galian
4 men from CONN ender to sentinel who
! compose them, and 10 whom more than te
| others the wor must stand indebted Tor The
home Of freedom di ent2ralled, regenerated
/ enlarged, and perpetuatei. allt & .ls
/ (Signedl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 8, 1858.
The following proclamation is appended to
the message ~ - Lt lN
/ asq a PROCLAMATION. al5iy SOS
Whereas, in and by the constitution Of the
! United States it ia provided that the President
4 shall have power to grant reprieves and par
/ doss for Offenders against the United States,
! except in cases of impeachment; and whereas,
| a rebellion now exists, whereby the loyal state
l. governments of several states have for a long
time been subyerted, and many persons have
committed and are now guilty of treason
against the United Stafes; and whereas, with
! reference to said rebel ion and treason
I Laws have been enacted by Congress declaring
| forfcitures and coniscation of property and lib
| GRAFTON of slaves, all upon terms and conditions
! therein stated, and also declaring that the Pres
| dent was thereby authorized at any time there
| fore by proclamation to extend to persons who
| may have participated in the existing rebellion
| in any state or part thereof, pardon and amnes-
y,, with such exceptions and at such times
| and on such conditions rs he may deem expedi-
ent for the public welfare, and whereas the con-
| gressionsl declaration for limited and condi-
! fional pardon aecords with we'll established ju-
| dicial exposition of the pardoning power, and
| whereas, with reference to said rebellion, The
President of the United States has
issued several pr0clamations with
provisions in regard to the liberation
| OF slaves, and whereas it is now decided by some
persons heretofore engaged in rebellion, to resume
their allegiance to the United States, to reinaug-
| urate loyal State governments within their res
pectve States, ,ther efore,