The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-12-17
The Presidential Proclamation.
amnesty and Pardon to ell Lesser
81 Traitors.


Whereas, In and by the Constitu-
ton of the United States, it is provided
that the President shall have power to
grant reprieves and pardons for offences
against the United States, except in
cases of impeachment, and
Whereas, A rebellion now exists
whereby the loyal State governments
of several States have for long time
been subverted, and many persons
have committed and are now guilty OF
treason against the United States |;
and
Whereas, With reference to said re-
bellion and treason, laws have been
enacted by Congress, declasing for
FIXTURES and confscation of property
and liberation of slaves, all upon terms
and conditions therein stated; and also,
declaring that the President was there.
by authorized at any time thereafter,
by proclamation, to extend to persons
whe may have participated in the ex.
isting rebellion, in any State or part
thereof, pardon and amnesty, with such
exceptions and on such terms and of
such conditions as he may deem expe-
dent for the public welfare, and
Whereas, The Congressional dscla.
nation for limited and conditional par
don accords with well!established judi
cial expositions of the pardoning pow
err; and whereas, with reference to
said rebellion, the President of the
United States has issued several proc
lamations, with provisions in regard to
the liberation of slaves; and,
| Whereas, 1t is now desired by some
persons heretofore engaged in said re-
bellion to resume their allegiance to the
United States, and reinaugurate loyal
State Governments, within and for
| their respective States,
Therefore, ], Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States, do pro-
claim, declare, ard make known to all
persons who have directly, or by impli-
cation, participated in the existing re-
bellion, except as hereinafter excepted,
that A FULL PARDON is GRANTED to
them, and each of them, with restora-
ton of all rights, if third parties shall
have interviewed, and upon the condi-
ton that they, such persons, shall take
and subscribe an oath, and thencefor.
ward keep and maintain said oath in.
violate, and which oath will be regis
tered for permanent preservation, and
shall be of the tenor and effect follow.
ing, to-wit:
| THE OATH.
/ do solemnly swear, in the presence
of Almighty God, that l will hence
forth faithfully support, protect and de
fend the Constitution of the United
] States, and the Union of States there
under, and that will in like manner
abide by and faithfully support all acts
of Congress passed during the existing
rebellion, with reference to slaves, sc
long and so far as not repealed, modified
or held void by Congress, or by decision
of the Supreme Court, and that l will
in like manner abide by, and faithfully
support all proclamations of the Presi.
dent made during the existing rebellion
having reference to slaves, SO long and
so far as not modified or declared void
by decisions of the Supreme Court, SC
help me God.
The persons excepted from the ben.
efits of the foregoing provisions, are
l. All who are or have been civil OF
diplomatic officers, or agents Of the So
called Confederate Government.
2. All who have left Judicial sta
tons under the United States to aid
the rebellion.
8. All who are, or shall have been,
military or naval officers of the rank OF
Colonel in the army, or Lieutenant in
the navy. ...r f
4. All who left seats in the United
States Congress, to aid in their rebel.
lion. tot .sil-.
5. All who have engaged in any way
in treating colored persons, or white
persons in charge of such, otherwise
than lawfully as prisoners of war, and
which persons may be found in the
United States service as soldiers, sea.
men, or in any other capacity.
DO further proclaim, declare, and
make known,
1st. That whenever in any of the
States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Geor.
gia, Florida, South Carolina and N orth
Carolina, number of persons, not less
than one tenth of the number Of Il 6
votes cast in such State at the Presi.
Dental election OF the year of our Lord
1850, each having taken the oath afore-
said, and not having since violated it,
and being qualified voter by the laws
of the State, existing Immediately be-
fore the so-called act of secession, and
excluding all others, shall establish a
State Government, which shall be re-
publican, and in no wise contravening
said oath, such shall be recognized as
the. true form of Government of the
State, and the United States shall re.
ceive them under the benefit of the
constitutional provisions which de-.
clares that the United States shall guar
antee to every State in the Union a re-
publican form of government, and shall
protect each of them from invasion,
and on application of the Legislature,
or the Executive when the Legislature
cannot be convened, against domestic
violence.
SECOND-I do further proclaim, de-
clare and make known thot op, rro