Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-15


the States, named, State government shall be i
the mode prescribed set up, such governmen
shall be recognized and guaranteed by the Unitet
States, and that under II the State shall, on th'
constitutional conditions, be protected against in
vasion and domestic violence. The con, ,titutiona
obligation Of the United States to guarantee Il
every State in the Union republican form Of gov
eminent and to protect the State in the cases sta
ted, is explicit and full.
But why tender the benefits Of this provision
only to State government set up in this particu
lar gayP This section Of the constitution contem.
plates a case wherein the element within State
favorable to republican government in the Union
may be too feeble for an opposite and hostile ele-
ment external TO or even within the State, and
such are precisely the cases with which we are
now dealing. An attempt to guarantee and pro.
tect revived State government constructed in
whole or in preponderating part from the very
element against whose hostility aud violence II Is
to be protected, is simply absurd.-There mus: be
a test by which TO separate tie opposing elem ents
so as to build only from the sound, and that test
is sufficiently liberal one which accepts as sound
whoever will make sworn recantatlon OF bis for
mer unsoundnessj but il il be proper to require
as test OF admission TO the political body an oath
OF allegiance to the Constitution or the United
States and to the Union under it, Why alter the
avs and proclamatons in regard to Sayeryp
These laws and proclamations we're enacted and
put forth for the purpose OF aidingin the suppress
sion OF the rebellion To give them their fullest
effect there had TO be a pledge for their mainte-
nance. ln my judgment they have aided and will
further aid the cause for which they were intend
ed. To now abandon them would not only be TO
reluquish lever Of power, but would also be
cruel and astounding bre lch Of faith.
may add at this point that while remain In
NY present position, shall not attempt to ietract
or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor
shat return to Slavery any person who is free
by the terms of that proclamation, or by any OF
the acts Of Congress. For these and other fea-
sons, II Is thought best that the support Of these
measures shall be included in the oath, and it is
believed the executive may lawfully claim il n re-
turn for pardon and restoration Of forfeited
rights, which he has clear constitutional power TO
withhold altogether or grant upon the terms he
shall deem wisest for the public interest II
should be observed also that this psrt Of the oath
is subject 10 the modifying and abrogating power
Of legislation and supreme Judicial decision.
The proposed acquiescehce Of the national ex.
ecutye 10 any reasonable temporary state ar
rangement for the freed people, is made with the
view Of possibly modifying the confusion and des-
tuition which must at best attend all classes by
total revolution Of labor throughout whole
States Ii Is hoped that the already deeply az
Aic,td people in those States may be somewhat
more ready TO give up the cause Of their aiflction
if to this extent this vital matter be left to them
selves, while no power Of the national executive
to prevent en- abuse is abridged by the PROPOSE
ton.
The suggestion in the proclamation as to main
tanning the political frame work OF the States on
what is called reconstructon, is made in the hope
that It may do good without danger Of harm. II
will save labor and avoid great confusion. Bu,
why any proclamation now upon this subject
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 action, but remain inactive apparently
for want oi rsllying point or plan Of action.
Why shall A. adopt the plan Of b., rather than
b. that Of A.P And, II A. and B. should agree,
ow can they know but that the general govern
ment here will reject their plan BY the pro-
clamation plan is presented, which may be ac-
cepted by them as a rallying point and which
they are assured in advat ce will not be rejected
here. This may bring them TO act sooner than
they otherwise would The objections to pre-
mature proclamation Of plan by the national
executive, consists in the danger Of committals in
points could bo more safely left to future deye-
opements.
Care has been taken to 80 shape the announce
ment as to avoid embarrassment from this source,
saying that in certain terms certain classes will
be pardoned With rights restored. II Is not said
that other classes or other terms will never be in
cluded Saying that reconstruction will br accept
I'd ii presented ina specified way, il is not said that
they viii never be accepted in any other way.
The governments by State action for emancipuon
in several Of the States not included in the emin-
cipation proclamation, are matters Of profound
graduation, and while do not repeat in detail
what have heretofore so earnestly urged upon
this subject, my general views and feelings remain
unchanged, and trust Congress will omit no
lair opportunity Of aiding these important steps
10 the great consummationf In the midst Of other
cares however important 4. ~.
We must not lose sight Of the fact that the war
power is s, our main reliance, To that power
alone can we look for time 10 give confidence to
people in the contested regions that the nsurgent
power will not again oyerrun them. Until that
cinfdence shall be established little can be done
anywhere for what is called reconstruction. Hence
our chieiest care must still be directed to the army
and navy. who have thus far borne their harder
part SO nobv and so well, aud it may bo esteemed
fortunate that 10 giving the greatest efficiency
10 these Indispensable arms, we do also hon
oraby recognize the gallant men, from command
er to sentinel, who compose them and to whom
more than to others the world must stand ndebt-
ed for the home OF freedom, dsinthralled, regen-
Grated and perpetuated.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Dee s, 1868. col
The following proclamation is appended to
the message; 'all
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, in aud by the Constitution Of the
United States, II is provided that the President
shall have power to grant reprieyes and patdons
for offences against the United States except In :
cases Of impeachment and ~,
Whereas, A rebellion now exists whereby the
loyal State goyefnments Of several States have
for II long time been subverted and many per-
sons have committed, and are now guilty Of
treason against the United States, and 4.s
Whereas, With reference to said rebellion
and treason, laws have been enactedlby Congress
declaring iorfertures and con6scati0n Of proper
ty and liberation OF slaves, all upon terms and
conditions therein stated, and also declaring
thai the President was thereby authorized At
any time thereafter by proclamation TO extend
to persons who may have participated in the
existing rebellion in any State or part thereof,
pardon and amnesty with such exceptions and
at such times and on such conditions as he may
deem expedient for the public welfare and ii
Whereas, The congressional declaration for
limited and conditional pardon accords with
well established Judicial expositions Of the par