The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-11

tender the benefits Of this provision only TO
a State government set up in this particular
waY2 This seciion Of the Constitution
centemplates a case wherein en- element
within a State favorable to republican
government in the Union may he too feeble
for an opposite and hostile element external
to and even within the State, and such are
precisely the cases with which we are now
dealing. An attempt to guarantee and pro
tect reyisedztate Of governments, construct
ed in whole or in prepOnderating part from
every elemept against Whose hostility al d
violence it is TO be protected, is simply alb
surd. There must be test by which TO
separate opposing elements so as to build
only from the ground, and that test is a
sufficient and liberal one which accepts as
sound whoever will make a sworn Teeanta-
ton of his former unsOUndness, but if It ! e
proper TO require test OF admission TO the
political body sad of allegiance to the Con-
stitution of the United States and 10 the
Union under il, why not also TO the laws
and proclamation in regard TO slavery :
Those laws and prociamatiOns were enacted
and put forth for the purpose of aiding in
the suppression Of the rebellion. To give
them the fullest effect, there had to be q
pledge for their maintenance. In my ju1g-
ment, they have aided, and will further aid,
the cause for which they were enlisted.
To give up the pTineipe would be not oaly TO rein-
qu.sh lever OF power, but IL would also be cruel
and astounding breach OF faith. ] msy add AZ this
point that, VIII e ! remtin in ny present pOsiti n,
all not attempt to retrsct or modify the EN- ncip2-
lion Proclamation, nor shall retarn TO slavery any
prison who is mads lTes by the terms Of The pToc-
milton, OF by sny act OF Congress- FOR these aud
oher re Is0ns Il thought best that the support 81
tn 50 persons shah be included in the oath, and Is
bell we'd the Executive may lawfully claim l. IA re-
turn fJr PARDON and restoration OF forte ted rights
which he has tbs clear constitutional power to with
hold altogether or grant upoa the terms whica he
shall deem wisest FOR the puoic inter 81 IL shoaid
be Observed also that this part OF the oath be sub
Jet TO the modifying Aad abIOgating power Of egis-
tiOn. The proposed i-su:esouce Of the nltions' TX
ecutive in any honorable temporary state arrange
ment for tbs freed peOJde Is made with view Of poe
slby modifying the cOfased and distressed condition
whch must least at end all classes by total rev
slution Il labor throughout the whole United States
IL Is hoped that the already deeply afflicted people in
tIose States may be somewhat more ready 70 give Up
the cause Ofthsr aot0n, and TO this extent the 10
Il matter q Iefl 10 themselves, while no power or
the national executive TO preiens IN AOuss Is
abridged by this proposition.
The suggestion in the reclamation ss 10 ma tan-
log the political framework Of the States what
ced Teconstruction is made In The hope that il may
do good without harm. II viii favor labor aud AVOID
upon this subj sct7 Tnis question Is beset with tie
conflicting views that the step might be delayed too
long DO aiken too soon. In some eements for re-
sumption they have been ready for action, hut re-
point for plan OF action Why shall adopt tie
plan OF rattle. than that OF a? ami II AMI
should agree, bow do they know but the Genera Gov
ernment here Will respect their pianf BY The Procla
m ition a plan is presented which may be accepted
by them raiying point, aud VIII n they are ga
sured in advance Wlh not be rel 1ot5d here. This
may bring them % sct sooner than ih,y Otherwise
would.
Tue objection 10 premature presentation of plan
by the national Executive consists IN the danger Of
commiItance IN points which could be more safs y
ltt 10 further deSe opmens Care has been taken t.
so shape the document As 70 avoid embarrassment
from tais source. In saying that on certain terms
certain classes viii he psIdoued, with htir rights re-
Ored II Is not said that other classes other terms
ton VIII be accepted # presumed in specified way,
1t is not said that il wIL never be accepted in any
other way.
TIE movements by State action for emancipation
10 several Of the STATES not included ia the .cipa
tion proclamation are matters Of profound gfatnca
ti0n, and While do not repeat in detail what have
hs etofore so frequenty urged upon this suit ct my
general views AM feelings remain unchanged, and
trust that Congress vi ] UnIt lar opportunity Of
aiding these impor ant steps to the great cohsumm4
ton. In the midst OF other CARES, however lmpOr-
tsnt, must not lose sight Of the fAct thai the
power is still our main reliance. To tna; power aUIs
Ah No iOoA; 9ot loi Iih'o5 - blie OloHSo 70 ile
people IN contested regions that tie Dsurgent pJWer
will not sgain Overfuu them. Until that ConhdeLce
shall be established, little be done ans Wnore for
what is called reconstruction.
Hence, orr chivfsst care must still DO directed to
our army and navy, who have thus Tar borne their
b ,rder part so nobly and so well; ami II may be
tesmed fJrtunale that giving the greatest ecien
cy to their Indispensable arms, do also hOnorabiy
the gallant men, f.Om commander TO son
tinel, who compose them and t. whom, more than
all othe <, the world must stand indebted for the
home Of freedom dsenlhTalled, legensTatei,
larssd, ana psrpetualei.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
W4sHISGToS, D. C. Dec g 1862.