Litchfield enquirer., 1863-12-17
WHOLE NO. ao1s


 septs as sound whoever Will make sworn rs. cantatiou of his former movsmsnts:
 Buth it b. pfoper to require as tess of a. mission to the political body an oath of allegi | ancs to the United States and to tho Uniea under 1t, why not also to tie laws and pfoslAm. ations in regard t6 Slavefyf
 Those laws and proelamaiioss wsrs pds forth for the purpose of aiding in ths sdppfe5. sion Of the Rebellion. To give thea tkS fls. est effect there had so be pledge for thslr maiutaiusnce.I In ny iudsment they have slesd were intended. 5s \ 4=..f
 To now abandon them would bs not ouly b relinquiah . lever of power; but would slso bs cruel and astounding breach of faith. .e-i
 may add, at this point, while I rsmainiA my present position I shall not sttehipk t0 Est tract or modify the Emancipation Preeianza;oA nor shall I return to Shvefy kny pefaeaiwtl6.h b free by the terms of that Pr66lsmssiou. seIty any Of the acts of CohixfeSs -i- v
 For these and othsf reasons, it is sA6ughe best that support Of these tneas1rss shail ts included in the oath, and it is believed that the Executive may lawfully claim t in rstura for pardon and restoration of forfeited lights, which hs has clear constitutional power 0 withold altogether, or grant upon the terms hs shall deem wisest for the public interest.
 1t should be observed also that this paft o9 the oath is subject to the modifying and sbeo- gating power of legislation and sdprsme judi cial decision:
 The proposed acquiesc nee of the Nsisual Executive in any reasonable tSmpotGft eldle arrangement for the ffeed people is taads Wish the view of possibly modifying the eonfasicn and destisutsn which must sS thS best attend all classes by total fgvotatiou of iabof throughout whole Smtss.
 It is hoped that the already deeply afflicted people in those States may De somewhat mors ready to give up the cause of tESir sfliction, # to this extent this vital matter bs laft to theln. selves, while no power of the National Exegd. tive to prevent an abuse is abridged by the teopositiou.
 The suggestion in the Proclanatiou e to the political framework of the States on what is called rscons,ructiou, is mads in the hope that it may do good wishodt dai.. ger of harm, 1t will save labor. and avoid great confusion. B6t why any proclamaiioa now upon the subject This subjsc. is bessl with the conflicting views that the stsp might be delayed too long, or be taken too soou. -.
 In some States the slentents for resumption seem ready for action, but remain inactive, ap. parently for want of rallting poins-a plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plsa of B, rather than B that of Al And if A and D should agree how cah they k6ow bat that ths General Government here will reject theif plan I By the Proclamation plan b preseai tod which may be accepted by them q . ral. lying point. and which they are assured h sd- vance will not be rejected here. This mat bring them to act sooner than thet otherwise would.
 The objections to ( premature pfeseutaiibG of . plan by the National Executive eouSistS in the danger of committees on poiats which could bs more safely left to further develop ments. Care has been taken to co shape tho denouments as to avoid embarrassment from this source. saying that on certain terms cer- tain classes will bs pardonsd. with fiefits rsss torsd. -'-'
 It is not said that other classes and othse terms will never Do included, saying that fs- construction will Dc accepted if presented in . specific way. It l. not ssid it Aill nsvsf hs accepted in any other w9y. The movements by State action for Emancipation in several of tho States not included in the EmAncipation Proclamation. arc matters of profound gratula- lation.
 And while do nos repeat what hsvs hsfs- tofors % earnestly urged upon this subject, ny general visws and feelings remain unchanged; and trust that Congress will omit no fair opportunity of aiding these important steps to the great consumn1ation. h the midst Of other cares, however important. we must not lose sight of the fact that the war power is still our main reliance. To that power tlons eas we look for time to give confidence to the people in the contested regions that the insur- gent power will not again overrun them. Un. til that confidence shall be established, little can bs done snywhefs for what is called recon struction. -'r
 Hence our chiefsst care must still bs directed o tho Army and Navy. which have thus far borne their harder pars % nobly and well ;a and t may be esteemed foftunats that in givingthS greatest efaciency to thess indispsnsabss asuss we do honorably recognise the gallant ms1y from commander to sentinel. who compose them, and to whom more than to othcrs the world must stand indebted for the hoas of freedom diseuthrallsd. Fsgsnsratsd, snlasesd. and perpetuatsd.
 December .. 1868.