The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-12-18
The Massara and Proclamation

The Message and Proclamation.
: We publish in this issue the third annual mes
sage of President Lincoln and also its proclama-
tory appendix. Owing to the fact that the
President has been laboring under severe illness
for some time past, the writing OF the message
was committed to the hands of another, and the
result is, that, for once, we have some decent
English over the signature of Abraham Lincoln.
The condition Of our relations with foreign ma
nations is clearly stated and the message proceeds
in plain narrative style, until it finds the ne
gro in its path, when the writer Immediately
falls into the darkest mazes of mystitication and
sophistry. The argument is made that the eman-
cipation proclamation was q military necessity
and in support Of it the allegation is made that
the srebcl borders are pressed still further back"
Now, this is not true as to Virginia, North
Caroliha, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama and Louisiana. The ground recovered
by the Federal armies in those States, was gain
ed before the proclamation was issued. New
Orleans, Fort Pulaski, Hattsras Island and the
confederate sirongholds in Western Virginia,
were captured long before the plighted faith of
the President was openly violated. Asto Ken
lucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mis-
sissppi, the key to the possession of those States
fell into the hands of the Federals when Fort
Donelson and Island No 10 were yielded up
by the confederates, which events occurred long
anterior to the Presidents manifesto of emanci-
ton. The fall of Vicksburg and Chattanooga
were but the consequences of the confcdera te
defeats at Donelson and Island No 10. How,
then, has the emancipation proclamation proved
military benefit? Neither the President nor
any of his champions are able to answer this
question. In regard to the constitutional right
Of the Executive to issue the emancipation proc
lamation, the message admits that no such right
exists. Let the reader mark the following pas
sage and note how Mr.. Lincoln stands self con-
demned before the world:
"According to our political system, as a mat
ter Of civil administration, the Government
HAD NO LAWFUL POWER to effect emancipation
in any state"
In regard to the so-called proclamation of
amnesty appended to the message, we can but
say that if the President fancies that the South
erh people will return to their allegiance under
the conditions named in that document he must
possess very lively Imagination. The idea
of requiring them to swear fealty to,every po-
litical vagary of the Executive, the emancipa.
tion proclamation included, and by SO doing
to yield up their property as well as their
civil institutions, is simply preposterous. Had
he only named the terms of submission to
the Constitution and laws and an uncondition-
al pardon, there might have been some hope of
their return to the Union. But this proclama-
tion will serve only to drive the Secession nail
deeper into the coffin of Peace and the war will
be continued to an indefinite period. Mr.
Lincoln must withdraw the emancipation wedge
which he has been driving with his 'negro-
maul' into the very heart of the Union, and,
then, (and not till thcn) there may be some
prospect Of peace and reunion.
fTThere will be festival for the benefit
of the Lutheran Sabbath School, on Christmas
eve and Christmas day. On Christmas eve,
the Grand Jury room of the Court House will
contain tables with the various articles of con-
tribution for sale. At one end of the room there
will be oysters, ice-cream and cakes Christ
mas day, at o'clock, P, M, the game-dmner
will be given-adults at one table and children
at another, The Court room will be used as
reception room till the dinner is ready The
managers prefer selling tickets to all who wish
to take dinner before Christmas day. They can
be had at the Prothonotary's office, and other
places. We make this notice at the request of
the Festival Committee. s
L.. 4 u ~.