, 1863-12-10
The Presidents Message.


ss'O 1VoINCll . Nf6SSd2Vs
Continued from Third hgs]
emancipation and arning the blacks These
measures have been much discussed in for
, eign countries, md, contemporary with such
discussion the tone Of public sentiment there,
il much improved Al home the same meas
urcs have been fully discussed, supported.
criticised, and denounced; and the Anpua
elections following arc highly encouraging to
those whose special duty 1t is to bear The
country through this great trial.
Thus VIC hare the reckoning. The crisis
which threatened to divide the friends Of the
Union Is past. Looking now to the present:
and future, and with reference to a resump-
ton OF the national authority within tic
states wherein that authority has been sus-
penned, hayc thought 1T to Issue o procla-
mttted; On examination Of this proclama~
titled BY the Constitution. True, the form Of
an oath is given, but no man i
coSrced cSr ro,s.a to take lrao it. r. man aaa. is
Tonty taxes tho os a0f The e eonsitnt,oa stae
authorizes the Executive to grant on such
terms as are fully established b Judicial and
other authority. 1t also provides, that If In
Inany OF the states named q real government
shall be In the mode prescribed set up, such
EoySnnn3snt m 3n 1 recognized aad gaasan.
the state shall be prstected against invasion
and domestic violence. The constitutional
obligation Of the United Statea to guarantee
to every State in the Union Republican
form Of Government, and to protect the State
in the cases stated, is explicit and full; but
why tender the benefits of this provision
only to State government set up in this
particular ways This section Of the Consti-
tuition contemp1ates wherein the element
within a State favorable to Republican
government in the Union may be too feeble
Tor an opposite and hostile element in the
exterior, and eycn within the State.
Such are precisely the cases with whieh ne
art now dealing.
Al sttempt e guarantee and protect a re-
yised Stcte Government constructed in whole
or prcponcerating part from the very Gle.
is to be protected, IL simply absurd.
There must be test By which to separate
opposing clements so as to build only from
the sound, and that test In sufficiently lib
etu1 one which accepts as sonnd whoever will
make sworn rccantation OF his former un-
soundnesa.
But II it be proper to propose as test Of
admission to the political body, m oath Of
allegiance to the Constitution Of the United
Etates and the Union under ii, why net also
to the laws and proclamation in regard to
alaverys These laws and proclamations were
devised and put forth for the purpose Of
aiding the suppression Of the rebellion and to
give them their fullest effect thsre had to be
q pledge for their 1nnintaiuancc. In my
Judgment they have aided, and will further
aid the cause for which they were enlisted.
To give up this principle would be not only
to rclinquish a lever Of power, but would
also lie cruel and astonishing breach of
faith.
I1nay add at this point TINT while remain
In my present position shall not attempt to
rct1act or modify the Emancipation Procln-
n1-ff
seho Is Jfe by TIE zs74se Of The Proclamation, nor
by my act Of Congress.
For these, and other reasons, 1t is thought
best that the support OF these provisions
shall be included in the oath, aud It is be-
1ieved that the Executive may lawfully Claim
forfeited rights, which he lAs clear constitu-
tional power to withhold altogether,
or grant upon the terms which he
shall deem .wisest for the public interest.
It should be observed, also, that this part
Of tue oath is subject to the modifying and
1ndicinl decision. The proposed aequiesccnce
Of the National Executive in any honorable
temporary State arrangement for the freed
people, il made with the view of possibly
modifying the confusion and dissolution which
must at first attend all c}asscs by total rev
olntion Of labor throughout the whole States.
1t Is hoped that the already deeply afflicted
people in these States may be somewhat
more ready to give up the cause Of their atlic-
tion, nnd to this extent this vital matter Is
left to themselves. While no power Of the
National Executive to prevent an abuse is
IN the proclamation as to managing
the political framework Of the States, or
what is called reconstruction, 4s made in the
hope that It may do good without the danger
Of harm, and will save labor and avoid great
But any proclamation upon this question
Is bcset with the conflicting views that the
step might be delayed too long, or taken too |
soon. Some elements for resumption seem
ready for action, bnt remain inactive appar-
entity, for want Of rallying point or plan |
rather than Of b; and if A and B should
agree, how can they know TINT the general |
Government here will respect their plan? By |
the proclamation, "A plan is presented which
may be accepted By them as lying point,
and which they arc assured In advance will
not be rejected here. THIS may bring them
to act sooner than they otherwise wonld.
The objection to a premature presentation
Of plan By the national executive, consists
in the danger Of committal, or what could be |
more safely left to further developments. |
ment as to avoid embarrassment from this |
source.
In saying that on certain terms certain !
classes will be pardoned, with their rights
restored, 1t is not said other classes On other
terms will ever be included
In saying reconstruction will be accepted
II presented In specified way, 1t is not said
1t will neEcr be accepted In any other way.
The movements in State action for emauci-
patton In several of the States not included
In the Emancipation Proclamation, arc mat
ters Of profound qualification; and while
do not repeat In detail Thnt 1hare heretofore
so earnestly urged on this subject, my gen
eraI views and feelings remain unchanged, |
and I trnEt that Congress will omit
no fair opportunity Of aiding these I'M
portaut steps to the great consummation- |
In the midst Of other cases, however i'm |
portant, We must not lose sight Of the fact
that tho sodr l'oscer IL stM our naan 1vtidnee To
that power alone can we look yet, for time to
give confidence to the people In the contested
regions that the insurgents power will not
neain over run them. uah that confidence
shall be established, little can be done any
where for what is called Reconstruction"
Hence, our e2def care nsua stiN b. dirxcted to
our army d'td sa'y, who hare thus
far borne themselves SO nobly
and we'll And 1t may be esteemed
fortunate that In giving the greatest effi-
cheney to their Indispensable arms, We do also
honorab1y encourage the gallant men, from
commander to sentinel, who compose them,
and to whom, more than all others, the world
stands indebted for the home of freedom dis
enthra1led, regencrated, enlarged and perpet-
uated.