Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-17

that the Executive may lawfully claim it in
return for pardon and the restoration of for
feited rights, which he has clear constitu-
, tional power to withhold altogether, or grant
| upon the terms which he shall deem wisest
| for the public interest. 1t should be observed
| also that this part OF the oath is subject TO
the modifying and abrogating power of legis-
lation and the supreme judicial decision
The proposed acquiescenee of the National
| Executive in any honorable temporary state
arrangement for the freed people, is made
with the view of possibly modifying the con-
fusion which must, at best, attend IT all
classes by total revolution of labor through
| out the revolted states.
1t is hoped that the already ply afflicted
| people in those states may be somewhat more
| ready to give up the cause Of their affection
to this extent, if this vital matter be left to
| themselves, while no power of the National
| Executive to prevent an abuse is abridged
| by the proposition. The suggestion in the
| proclamation as to maintaining the political
| Framework of the States or what is called
Reconstruction" is made in the hope that it
may do good without the danger of doing
| harm. It will save labor and avoid great
| confusion.
| But why any proclamation now upon this
| subject? This question is beset with the
conflicting views that the step might be de-
| layed too long, or be taken too soon. In
| some States the elements of resumption
seem ready for action, but remain inactive,
| apparently for want of rallying point or
| plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plan
OF b, rather than 3 that of A and if 4 and
Is should agree, how can they know that the
| General Government here will respect their
plans? BY the Proclamation plan is pre-
scented which may be accepted by them as a
| rallying point, and which they are assured in
advance will not be rejected here. This may
bring them to action sooner than they other
wise would.
The objection to premature presentation
of plan by the National Executive consists
in the danger of cOmmittal on points which
could be more safely left to future develope-
ment Care has been taken to shape the doc
ument so as to avoid embarrassment from
this source. In saying that certain classes
will be pardoned, with their rights restored,
1t is not said that other classes, on other
| terms, will never be included. In saving
! that reconstruction will be accepted if pre-
sented in specified way, it is not said that
1t will never be accepted in any other way.
EMANCIPATION
The movements for emancipation in seve-
itti VI IiiC OtaICo ilOG tue
| patton proclamation matters of profound
| congratulation, and while / do not repeat in
| detail what L have heretofore so earnestly
| SAID upon this subject, my general views and
| feelings remain unchanged, and L trust Con-
gress VIII omit no fair opportunity of aiding
| these important steps to the great consumma-
| ton.
| TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
In the midst of other cares, however i'm
portant, we must not lose sight of the fact
that the war power is still our main reliance
| 10 that power alone can we look for anything to
| give confidence to the people in the contested
regions that the insurgent power will not again
| overrun them. Until that confidence shall
| be established little can be done anywhere
| for what is called reconstruction, hence our
| chief efforts must be directed to the army
and navy who have thus far done their hard
er part so nobly and well. 1t may be es-
| teemed fortunate that in giving the greatest
efficiency to their indispensable arms we do
also honorably encourage gallant men, from
the commander to the sentinel, who compose
them, and to whom, more than all Others the
world must stand indebted for the home of
freedom Disseminated, regenerated, enlarged
and perpetuated.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
| December S, 1868.
The following proclamation is appended to
the message:
PROCLAMATION.
| WHEREAS, By the Constitution of the United
States, it is provided that the President shall have
power to grant reprieves and pard ons for olenses
against the United States, except in of i'm
| parchment, and
| Whereas, rebellion ow exists whereby the 10y
al state governments of several states have for a
long time been subverted and many persons have
committed and now guilty of treason against
the United States, and
| Whereas, With reference to said rebellion and
| treason laws have been enacted by Congress- en-
acting the forfeiture and confscation of property
and liberation slaves of all upon the terms and
conditions therein stated, and also declaring that
the President was thereby authorized at any time
thereafter, by proclamation to extend pardon to
persons who may have participated in the existing
rebellion in any state part of state, with such
exceptions and at such terms, and such condi
| tions as he may deem expedent for the public well
fare and
| Whereas, the Congressional declaration tor
limited and conditional pardon accords with well
| established judicial expositons of the pardoning
power and
| Whereas, With reference to said rebellion, the
President of the United States has issued several
proclamations with provisions regard to the lib
Grafton of slaves and
IFhereaS, 1t is desired, by some persons here
| tofore engaged in said rebellion, to resume their
allegiance to the United States. and reinaugurate
| loyal State Governments within and for their re-
| spectve States;
| Now therefore, L, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President
| Of the United States, do proclaim, declare and
make known to all persons who have, directly or
by implication, participated in the existing rebel
| lion hereinafter excepted that full par
don is granted to them, with the alton of all
| their rights, upon the condition that e~ery such
person shall take and subscribe oath and thence
forward keep and maintain said oath invlolate, and
which oath shall be recorded for permanent pre-
servation and shall be eff the tenor and effect fol-
| lowing, to wit
ty God, that will henceforth faithfully support,
protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the
| United States and the Union of the States there
under; and that will, in like manner, abide by and
faithfully support all the acts of Congress passed
| during the existing rebellion with refer
cnce to slaves, long and so far as
| not repealed, modified, held void by Congress-
or by the decision of the Supreme Court; and that
| will in like manner abide by and faithfully sup
port all Proclamations Of the President, made du-
ring the existing rebellion, having reference to
| slaves, SO long and so far not modified or de-
! olared void by the decision Of the Supreme Court,
| so help me God
The persons excepted from the benefits of the
| foregoing provisions all who shall have
been civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the
socalled Confederate government all who have left
judicial stations under the United States to aid the
!