The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-12-18

\ - ~-' s.lOlcS,
we We're threatened with such additions from
the same quarter as would sweep our trade
rom the Sea and raise our blockade. We
had failed to elicit from European govern
ments anything hopeful upon this subject.
EMANCIPATION AND NEGRO SOLDIERS.
The preliminary emancipation proclamation
issued in September was running its assign
ed period to the beginning of the new year
A month later the final proclamation came,
including the announcement that colored men
of suitable condition would be received into
the war service. The policy of emancipation
and of employing black soldiers gave TO the
future a new aspect, about which hope and
fear and doubt contended in uncertain con-
tiict. According TO our political system, as a
matter of civil administration the general
government had no lawful power TO effect
emancipation in any State, and for a long
| time II had been hoped that the rebellion
could be suppressed without resorting to II
as military measure. II was all the while
deemed possible that the necessity for il
might come, and if il should, the crisis of
the contest would then be presented. 1t
Came, and, as vas anticipated, it was follow
ed by dark and doubtful DAYS.
Eleven months have now passed, We are
permitted 10 take another review. The
rebel borders are pressed sill further back,
aud by the complete opening of the Missis-
sippl the country dominated by the rebellion
IS dlvlaJd intn go distinct parts With no
practical communication between them
tennessee and Arkansas have been Subslan-
iiailr cleared Of Insurgents, and influential
citizens IN each, osners of slaves and advo-
Gates Of slaves =: the beginning of the re-
sellion, now declare ppsnly for emancipation
m their respective States. of those States
not included in the emancipation proclama-
ton, Maryland and Missouri, neither of
which, three years ago, would tolerats any
re>fr',.nt upon the extension of slavery into
sllr territories, only dispute now as 10 the
best moGe of removing ii within their own
limits. Of those who were slaves at the be-
ginning of the rebellion full one hundred
Thousand are now in the United States mill
tary service, about one half OF which num-
ber actually bear arms in the ranks, thus
giving the double advantage of taking Sd
much labor from the insurgent cause and
supplying the places which otherwise might
be filled by so many white men. So far as
tested II is difficult TO say they are not IS
good soldiers as any. No servile insurree-
'ion or tendency to violence or cruelty has
marked the the measure of emancipation
imona the blacks.
These measures have been much discussed
in foreign countries, and co,emporary with
such discussion the tone of public sentiment
there is much improved. At home ihe same
measures have been fully discussed, supported,
and denounced, and the annual
elections following are highly encouraging
20 those whose Official duty II is to bear the
country through this great trial. Thus We
have the new reckoning: the crisis which
threatened To divide the Union is I.ast.
PLAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION.
Looking now TO the present and future,
and with reference to a resumption of the
national authority within the States wherein
that authority has been suspended, | have
thought fit TO issue proclamation, a copy
of which is herewith transmitted. In exami-
nation of his proclamation, il viii appear, as
is believed, that nothing is attempted beyond
what is amply justified by the constitution.
True the form of an oath is given, but no
man Is eOerced to take il. The man is only
promised a pardon in case be voluntarily
takes the oath. The constitution authorizes
the executive TO grant or withhold the par
Con az his own absolute discretion, and this
includes the po~er to grant on terms. as is
iully established by judicial and other aQ-
thoriiies. II is also proffered that, if in any
of The States named a Stale government shall
he in The mode prescribed set up, such gov
eminent sh ali be recognized and guaranteed
bv the United States, and that under il the
State shall, on the constitutional conditions,
be protected against invasion and domestic
violence. The constitutional obligation of
ths United States to guarantee to every
State In tie Union a republican form of gov
eminent, and To protect the State IN the
cases stated. is explicit and fell.
But whv tender The benefits of this provi-
sian onir 10 a state government set up in
this particular way? This section of the
contemplates q case wherein the
siement within a State favorable to repuhli-
an govern hent in the Union may be too
feeble for an opposite and hostile element,
external or 10 even within tbs State; and
such ale precisely the cases with which We
are now d -eling. An attempt 10 guarantee
AID prolecs = Ts,ivs I state government, CON-
slruciei in whole or nv pr-ponderating part
from tie very IL. III against whose hostility
and violence i = - ,v protected, is simply
absurd. There must b. q test BY which TO
separate the cpno>iAg elements, so as to
bul1 only from those that are sound, and
that test i sufficiently liberal one which ac-
cep,s aS sound whoever will make a sworn
re-a-.- ...ion Of his former unsauudnesS. But
;, Il Ia. proper 70 require as teS' of adnis-
sion - l.i. political body an oath of allegiance
TO the constitution Of the United States, and
20 the Union under il, why not also the laws
and proclamaIions in regard to slavery?
Those laws and proclamations were enacted
and put forln for the purpose of aiding in
the suppression of the rebellion. To give
them their fullest effect, there had TO be
piedse for their maintainanee. In nv ludg-
meni, they have aided and W q further aid
the cause for which they were Intended. To
now abandon them would be not only To re-
liDquish a lever Uf power, but would also be
J cruel and astounding hreech of faith. L
may adj, al this point. that while | remain
In nv pr->en, position L shall not attempt to
re,ract or modify the emancipation procla-
nation, nor snail return to slavery any per-
son who Is free by the terms OF that prOcla-
nation OF by any of the acts of Congress-
For these aud other reas5 5ns, It is thought
best that support of these measures shall be
included in the oath, and il Is believed the
executive may lawfully claim II in return for
pardon AMI the restoration If forfeited rights
which he has constitutional power TO wItnnoid
altogether, OF grant upon tn terms ne snail
deem wis-,t for the public inieresr. Ii