Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-11

which are nov dealing. An attempt to guarantee
aud protect revived State government, constructed in
whole or IN prepondgratng part from the very element
against whose hostility aud violence IL 70 be protected
Is simply absurd There be test by which 10 Sc
paate tho opposing elements as to build only from the
sound and that test is sufficiently liberal one which ac-
oepts a. sound whoever will make recantation Of
hi1 Former unsoundness but II il be proper to require AZ
test Of admission TO the political body oath OF aegi-
10 the Constitution OF the United States and to the
Union under it, why alter the laws and procamstons in
regard TO Slavery These laws and prooamatons were
enacted and put forth hr the purpose Of aiding in the
suppression Of the rebellion 10 give them their fullest
effect there had 10 be pledge Tor their maintenance
In my Judgment they haprrdtd and will further aid the
cause for which they were intended. To now abandon
them would not only he TO relnquish lever Of power,
but would also be cruel and astounding breach OF faith
may add at this point that while remain In my
present position, shall not attempt to reraet modify
the emancipation proclamation, nor shall | return Ia
slavery any person who s free by the Of that
camaton by any nf the acts of Consrrss For these
and other reasons It is thought hest that the support Of
these measures shall be included in the oath, aud is
believed the executive may lawfully claim It in return
for pardon aud restoration Of forfeited rights which he
has clear constitutional power withhold altogether
grant upon the terms he shall deem wses for the public
interest IL shoui be observed also that this part Of
the oath s subject TO the oiiyng and abrogaung pow
er Of legislation and supreme judicial decision.
The proposed acqutesvenoe of the national executive
in any reasonable temporary arrangement for the
freed people made with the view Of possibly modifying
the confusion and desuuon which must " best attend
all classes by total revolution Of labor throughout
whole states 1t is hoped that the already deeply set-
ed people IN those states be somewhat more ready
TO give up the cause Of their affection, 10 This extent
this vital matter be left TO themselves while Oi
the national executive to prevent an abuse abridged by
the proposition.
The suggestion in the proclamation as to maintaining
the political frame work Of the states what Is called
reconstruction, is made in the htpe that may dc good
without danger Of harm II will save labnr and avoid
great confusion but why any proclamation nov upon
this subiecti This question is beset With conflicting
views that the step might be delayed or taken too soon
In some states the elements for resumption are ready for
aolion bet remain Hae qarently flr want Of raj
lying point, plan l2h Why shall A. adopt the
plan " b.. rather than IS that Of A Andif A. and B
should agree, how they know but that the general
government here will reject thir pan By the procla-
nation, plan is presented which may be accepted by
them rayiug point and which they assured Ia
advance will not be rqece ed hefe This may bring then
20 act sooner than they otherwise would Inc jectons
20 premature proclamation Of plan by the national
executive consists In the danger VI cummtas In points
which could be safely lett future Developments
Care has been taken 10 shape the announcement
to avoid embarrassment nom this saying that
certain terms certain classes will be pardonod right
restored IL Is rot said that other classes other
will be included In saying that reconstruction vii
be accepted II presented in specified way t is said
they will never be accepted in any other way The move
ments by state action for emancipation in several o
the States not included ia the emancip patton pTocama
ton matters Of 1tofOund graduation and while Do
not repeat IN detail what have heretofore earnestly
urged upon this subject my general views and feclng
remain unchanged and trust Congress will omit ut
fair opportunity of aiding these important steps IN,
important.
We must not lose sight o the fact that the power
is still our main reliance To that power alone can ",
LOOK for time to give confidence people Ia the con
tested regions that the insurgent power will agar
oyerrun them Until that confidence shall be establish
ed Little can be done anywhere for what is called
strucuon. Hence, ohefest must still be direcA
ed to the army and navy who have thus far borne
harder part so molly and well, and IL may be
ed fortunate that tAgvfS the greatest efficiency IN
indispensable arms NO also honorably recognize the
gallant men from comq ander el who compost
them and to whom moro than TO Others the world must
stand indebted ipr the home Of freedom diseuthraed
Tegenefated aud perpetuated.
AnRAHAM IlNEQIN