Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-12-17

it 10 return for pardon and restoration Of
forfeited rights, which he has clear constitu-
tioual power to withhold altogether, OF grant !
upon the terms which he shall deem wisest |
for the public interest 1t should be OBJ !
served also that this part of the oath 10 sub
ject to tho modifying aud abrogating power
OF legislation and supreme judicial decision.
The proposed acquiescence Of the Ma
tional Executive in any reasonable temporary
State arrangement for the freed people is
made with the view of possibly modifying
tho confusion and destitution which must,
At BEST attend all classes by total revolu
ton Of labor throughout whole States. 1t
is hoped that tho already deeply afflicted
peoplein those States may be somewhat
more ready to give up the cause Of their
affliciion, if, to ibis extent 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 frame work of the
States on what is called reconstruction, IL
made in the hope that it may do good with
on, danger of harm. Ii will save labor and
avoid great confusion. ih-t
But why any proclamation now upon this
subject? This question is keset with the
conflicting views that that the step might
be delayed too long or be taken too sooD. =
In somo States the elements for resumption
seem ready for action but remain inactive,
apparently, for wpnt of y arallying point--a
plan Of action, Why shall a adopt the
plan Of b. rather thnn B that of A? And
if A and b should agree, how can they
know but that the General Government
here will reject their plan? BY the procla
nation plan is presented which may be
accepted by them as a rallyinr point, and
which they are assured in advance will no,
|, be rejected here. This may bring them tc
act sooner than they otherwise would.
: The objections 10 O premature presenta
! tion OF plan by the National Executive
consist in the danger of committals on point!
y which could be more safely left to furthe
developments Care has been taken to 81
! shape the document as to avoid emharrass
u ments from this source Saying that, OF
. certain terms, certain classes will bepardon
II ed, with rights restored, it is not said tha
% other classes. or other terms, will never b,
u included. Saying that reconstruction vii
Y he accepted If presented in specified way
it il not said II will never be accepted in an
70 other way. r. .lt .sIu. ......
,e The movements, by State action, 70
K, emancipation in several OF the States, no
: included in the emancipation proclamation
IL are matters of profound gralitulation. An,
10 while do not repeat in detail what | hnv
= heretofore so earnestly urged upon this sui
D, ject, my general views and feelings renal
10 unchanged; and trust that Congress wi
es omit no fair opportunity Of aiding these in
'g poriant steps to great consummatiOn.
or In the midst of other cares, however in
portant, we must not lose sight Of the faC
j. that the war power is still our main relanc,
~ To that power alone can we look, yet for
D.. time, to give confidence to the people in tf
OF contested regisns, that the iDsurgent pow'
te will not again overruD them.
IL Until that confidence shall be established
10 little can be done any where for what
sI- called reconstruction. Hence our chiefc
10 care must still be directed to the army an
NJ navy, who have thus far borne their hard,
nr part so nobIy and we'll And it may
ne esteemed fortunate that in giving the grea
ne est efficiency to these indispensable arm
eS we do also honoraby recognize the gallaI
y men, from commander to sentinel, who con
III pose them, and to whom, more than
y others, the world must stand indebted I,
o the home of freedom disenthralled, rege
en- Grated, enlarged, and peipetuated.
= ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
col DECEMRER 8, 1863