The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-11
The Proclamation of Amnesty.

but the Proclamation which accompanies It ctfer-
ing amnesty and pardon to the great mass OF the
people and soldiers in the rebel States if they
will lay down their arms and return 10 their al
legiarce to the Federal Government and Federal
Union, and take an cath promising fidelity and
obedience to the laws Of the land. Whatever
criticisms might be offered as to the manner IN
which this Proclamation IS brought out, Is
matter, the essence and vital principles Of it
merit cur unqualified appreciation and it seems
to US that it ought to meet cordial welcome
from all who love the Union, better than they
love slavery. Stree the rebellion has extended
beyond the limits Of South Carolina, it mas been
apparent that a moment must come, if the
Federal arms were successful and the traitors
were pushed to the wall, when the mass OF the
people South, whether citizens or soldiers, would
be pardoned by some declaration OF general am
nesty, and invited to return N peace, and with
TIE enjoyment Of such Of their rights as then re-
manned to thern to the protection Of the fig OF
the old Union Perhaps no filter moment for
proclaiming sucn an amnesty could be desired
than the present, when Grant has broken the reb-
ell hopes in the Southwest, when Lougstreet has
been compelled to fall back from before Knox
vile and surrender East Tennessee forever to the
victorious armies of the Union, and when it is
no longer doubtful that gaunt fannie is staring
the rebels in the face, and coloring with tentold
horrors the desolate and gloomy winter before
them. At such a moment an invitation to return
10 the old home stead, TO take seat at the we'll
filled table and by the Cheerful fire, and become
once more member OF the family, one would
think would be seriously considered by the great
bulk of the rebel population, an3 would not be
hastily rejected
TO this amnesty there is really but single
condition, and that u.s. that those who desire to
avail themselves Of its pardoning force, skal take
al oath Of obedience to the Constitution, the
Union, and the laws OF The land. The Pres-
dent specifies tae Jaws passed since the rebellion
and the Proclamation OF Emancipation, in the
oath be taken, and ne does this undoubtedly,
80 that there may he 10 quibbling attempts
on the part Of those rebels who are sick of
their treason to treat the laws passed during
the rebellion, as not binding upon inhabitants Of
the seeded States. But these laws and the Proc
amaton Of Freedom are expressly referred to the
decision Of the Supreme Court OF the United
States, 10 decide ultimately 70 their validity
and if held IN that forum to be constitutional,
there IS no reason why the Southshould not obey
them, and il held to be unconstitutional the oath
20 far, will have no further binding force. And
the President if he had had the disposition,
could have made this proclamation no different
IN substance, on the question of slavery, than it
is for il the Proclamation Of Freedom is const-
tutona, the President has no power to recall it,
or ensave single person declared free by its
terms. And he could do no lie $, after having
made helpless race free by a stroke OF his pen
on the first of January last, than to stand by that
race now, and make their former rebel masters
swear 10 respect the deed of Freedom which he
then gave them, before restoring those rebels to
the other rights which they once enjoyed under
the Government Of the United States.
And it is because this Proclamation of Amnesty
exhibits such determined purpose on the part
OF the Executive power in the Government to
stand by the Proclamation Of Freedom, and all
laws Of Congress by which rebel masters have
lost their property rights IN their slaves, and to
make Freedom hereafter the vital, fundamental,
aI-pervading principle of free Republican gov
ernment that the lovers Of liberty everywhere
receive this last ct Of President Lincoln with eX-
pressons Of the greatest favor, while The pro-
slavery eaemies OF the Government and sympathi-
GERS vita treason, meet it with howl Of vi.uper-
alive denuuciations. These friends Of the rebels
nave been demanding, for months, that President
Lincoln should proclaim a pardon to all but the
eadins rebels. lie has now given them just what
tney asked for, and they are rs little satisfied as
the frogs were with their king; and their treat
nent 0! this humane act Of wise and sogacious
craftsmanship, shows, even more clearly, if posi-
Die, than their previous PARTISAN attack on the
Government, that they condemn or approve
every act of the Administration, as they believe
that act will injure or strengt hen slavery. En-.
trenched behind arguments, ideas aud prejudices
that belong to past heather ages, or present des