Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-12-19

:
Whereas, a rebellion now exists whereby
the loyal State governments Of several
States have for long time been subver.
ted, and many persons have committed |
and are now guilty Of treason against th Q
United States; and
Whereas, with reference to said rebel
lion and treason, laws have been enacted
by Congress declaring iorfeitures and con.
fiscation of property and liberation of
slaves, all upon terms and conditions
therein stated, and also declaring that the
President was thereby authorized at any
time thereafter, by proclamation, to ex.
tend to persons who may have participa-
ted 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 expedi-
ent for the public welfare and
Whereas the Congressional declaration
for limited and conditional pardon accords
with well-established judicial exposition Of
the pardoning power; and
Whereas, with reference to said rebel
lion, the President ofe ke United States
has issued several proclamations, with pro-
visions in regard to the liberation Of
slaves and
Whereas, it is now desired by some per.
sons heretofore engaged in said rebellion
20 aesume their allegiance to the United
States, and to reinaugurate loyal State
governments within aud for their respec-
tive States therefore,
/, Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
United States, do proclaim, declare, and
make known to all persons who have, dir
ectly or by implication, participated in the
existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
excepted, that a full pardon is hereby
granted to them and each of them, with
restoration of all rights of property, ex-
eept as slaves, and in property cases
where rights Of third parties shall have
intervened, and upon the condition that
eve.y such porson shall take and subscribe
an oath ,and thencelorward keep and main
tain said oath invi olate; and which oath
shall be registered for permanent preser-
vation, and shall be of the tenor and eff.
feet following, to wit:
II, -, do solemnly
swear, in presence of Almighty God, that
l will henceforth faithfully support, pro.
tect, and defend the Constitution of the
Uniied States and the union of the States
Hereunder and that will, in like man
ner, abide by and faithfully support all
acts of Congress passed during the exist.
ing rebellion with reference to slaves, so
long and SO far as not repealed, modified
or held void by Congress, or decision Of
the Supreme Court; and that l will, in
like manner, abide by and faithfully sup
port all proclamations Of the President
made during the existing rebellion having
reference to slaves, so long and SO far as
not modified or declared void by decision
of the Supreme Court. So help me God"
The persons excepted from the benefits
OF the foregoing provisions are all who
are, or shall have been, civil or diploma
tic officers or agents Of the so-called Con.
federate Government all who have left
judicial stations under the United States
to aid the rebellion all who are, or shall
have been, military or naval officers of
said so-called Confederate Government
above the rank of colonel in the army, or
oflieutenant in the navy; all who left seats
in the United States Congress to aid the
rebellion; all who resigned commissions
in the army or naval of the United States,
and afterwards aided the rebellion; and
all who have engaged in any other way in
treating colored persons or white persons
in charge of such, otherwise than lawfully
as risoners of war, which persons may
have been found in the United States SER
vice as soldiers, seamen, or in any other
capacity.
And I do further proclaim, declare, and
make known, that whenever, in any of the
States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Tennesse, Alabama, Georgia,
Florida, South Carolina, and North Caro-
lima, number of persons, not less than
one-tenth in number of the votes cast in
such State at the Presidential election of
the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty, each having taken the
oath aforesaid and not having since viola.
ted it, and being qualified voter by the
election law of the State existing ,immed-
lately before the so-caled act Of secession,
and excluding all others, shall re-establish
State government which shall be repub-
lican, and in nowise shtravening said
oath, such shall be recognized as the true
government of the State, and the State
shall receive hereunder the benefits ofthe
constitutional provision which declares
that "The United States shall guaranty to
every State in this Union republican
form of government, and shall protect
each of them against invasion ; and on ap-
plication of the Legislature, or the Ex-
ecu i've, (when the Legislature cannot be
convened } against domestic violence
And do further proclaim, declare, and
make known that and provision which may
be adopted by such State government in
relation to the freed people Of such State,
which shall recognize and declare their
permanent freedom, provide for their ed.
ncation and which NAV vet be consistent.