The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-10

will respect tu0h P'o" AAoek
nation a plan is presented which may i
accepted BY them IS rallying point, a.
~h;cb thew are assured in advance will Dc
hs re;scted here This may bring them b
at sooner than they otherwise would.
The objection to premature presentation
If q Man by the national Executive cons,s
in the danger of committants IN point
which could be more safely lett TO further
developments. Care has been taken to 50
shane The documents as to avoid embarrss,.
ment from this source. In saying that On
CERTAIN terms certain classes will be par
doned with their rights restored, it is NOT
s.;d that other classes on other terms will
never be included. In saying that recon.
struction will be accepted if presented in
specified way, it is not said, that it will
never be accepted in any other way.
The movements by State actions for eman.
c;nation in several of the States, not includ.
al in the emancipation proclamation, ara
matters of profound graduation and while
7 do not repeat in detail what have here.
tofore so earnestly urged upon this subject
NV general views and feelings remain I'm,
changed, and trust that Congress will
omit no fair opportunity of aiding these
important steps to the great consummatiou.
In the midst of other cares, however
imnortaut, we must not lose sight of the
fact that the war power is still no main 70.
lance. To that power alone Can we look
vet for time to give confidence to the peo
rnls in contested regions that the insurgsnt
mower will not again overrun them. Until
that confidence shall be established little
can be done anywhere for what is called re-
construction. Hence our chiefest care
must still be directed to on,
army and navy who have thus far
horne their harder parts SO nobly and
we'll. and it may be esteemed fortunate that
in giving the great ,st efficiency to Their 10.
dispensable arms, We do also honoraby On.
courage gallant men, from commandssa
sentinel who compose them, and to whom,
more than all others, the world must stani
indebted for the home of freedom, Olsen.
thralled, regensrated, enlarged and perpe-
uated.
[Signedl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 9th, 1868.
Til, following Proclamation is appended
to the Message:
WHEREAS in and by the Constitution Of
the United States, it is provided that the
President shall have power to grant re
prieves and pardons for offences against the
United States except in cases of impeach
ment; and whereas rebellion now exists,
whereby the loyal States, and governments
eff several States have for long time been
subverted, and many persons have commit
ted, and are now guilty of treason against
the United States; and, whereas, with ref
srence to said rebellion and treason, laws
have been enacted by Congress, declaring
the forfeiture and con6scation 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
extend to persons who may have partici
pated in the existing rebellion in any State
or part thereof, pardon and amnesty, witt
such exceptions, and at such times, and on
such conditions as he may deem expediau'
for the public welfare; and, whereas, the
Congressional declaration tor limited and
conditional pardon accords with well es
tablished Judicial expositions of the par
doning power; and, whereas, with reference
to said rebellion, the President Of the I ni
ted States has issued several proclamations,
with provisions in regard to the liberation
of slaves; and, whereas, it is now desired,
by some persons heretofore engaged in said
rebellion, to resume their allcgi lnce to tie
United States, and reinaugurate loyal State
GovernmentsIwithin and for their respective
States; therefore,
|, Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
United States, do proclaim, declare, and
make known to all persons who have di.
7ectly, or by implication, participated in
the existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
excepted, that full pardon is granted to
them, and each of them, with restoration Of
all rights, if third parties shall have inter
vened, and upon the condition that every
such party shall take and subscsibe an oath
and thenceforward keep and maintain
said oath inviolate, and which oath shall be
registered for permanent preservation, and
shall be of the tenor and effect following
to wit:
do solemnly swear in presence Of Al
mighty God that | will hanceforth faithful
ly support, protect and defend the Constitu
ton Of the United States, the union Of the
States Hereunder, and that | will in like
manner abide by and faithfully support all
acts Of Congress passed during the exist
ing rebellion with reference to slaves and so
long and so far as not yet repealed, modif'
ed or held void by Congress or by decision
of the Supreme Court, and that 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 no;
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 diplomatic officers
or agents Of the so-called Confederate Gov
eminent, all who have left judicial stations
~. TYn,<aI h. rahal-