Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-12-17

Thus-we have the reckoning. The cri-
sis which. threaten ed to divide the friends
Of the Union Is past Looking now at
the present and future. and with reference
to resumption of the national authority
within tie States wherein that authority
has been suspended. I'll have thought fit to
issue proclamation, copy of which is
herewith trsnsmitted, On exami nation OF
this proclamation. il will appear as is be-
lieved. amply justified by the Constitution.
True. the form of an oath, is given, but
no man is coerced 10 take it. 4 man is
only promised pardon in case he volun-
tslh takes the oath. thu Cor situion
authosizes the. Executive to grant on such
terms as are fully established by judicial
and other authority. 1t also provides.
that il in any of the States named a real
government shall be in the mode prescrib-
ed set up. such government hall-bs reeog-
nized and guaranteed by the United States.
and that under lit the State shall be pro-
tected against invasion and domestic yio
lence. The constitutional obligation
of the United States TO guarantee TO every
State in the Union Republican form Of
Government, and to protect the State IN
the cases stated. is, explicit and full;
but why tender the benefits Of this provis-
ION only to State government set up in
this particular way? This section of the
Constitution contemplates wherein the Gle
meat within State favorable to Repub
lican government in the Union may be
too feeble for an opposite and hostile elc.
ment in the exterior, and even within the
State.
Such are precisely the cases With which
we are now dealing.
z An attempt to guaranty and protect
revised Sta,e Government constructed in
whole or preponderating part from the
very element against whose hostility and
violence it Is to be protected, is simply alb
surd.
There must be test by which to sep
arate opposing elements so as to build on
" from the sound, and that test is suf-
ficien.ly liberal one which accepts as sound
whoever will make a sworn recantation
Of his former unsoundness. rv
But if it be proper to propose as test
of admission to the political body. an
oath OF allegiance to the Constitution OF
the United States and the Union under it.
why not also to the laws and proclama-
ton in regard to slavery? These laws
and proclamations were devised and put
forth for the purpose of aiding the sup
preston of the rebellion and to give them
their fullest effect there had to be pledge
for their maintenance. In my judgment
they have aided, aud Will further aid the
cause for which they were enlisted. To
give mp this principle would be not only
to relinquish lever Of power. but wonld
also be a cruel and astonishing breach of
faith.
i may add at this point that while re-
main in my present position shall not at
tempt to retract or modify the Emancipa
ton Proclamation. nor shall return o
slavery any person tchO is free ey the terms
of tie Proclamation. nor by any act OF
Congress.
For these and other reasons, it Is tho't
best that the support of these provisions
shall be included in the oath, and it is be-
lieved that the Executive may lawfully
claim it in return for pardon and restora-
ton of forfeited rights which he has clear
constitutional power to withhold altogeth-
err, or grant them upon the terms which he
shall deem wisest for the public interest.
Ii should be observed, also. that this pait
Of the oath is subject to the modifying and
abrogating power of legislation and SUI
preme judicial decision. The proposed
acquiesence of the National Executive in
any honorable temporary State arrange
nent for the freed people. is made with
the view of possibly modifying the confu-
sion and desolation which must at first 1T
tend all classes by total revolution of Ia
Dor throughout whole States 1t is b oped
that the already deeply afflicted people in
those States may be somewhat more ready
TO give mp the cause of their affection. il,
to this extent, this vital matter be left to
themselves; while no power of the nation
al Executive to prevent an abuse is abridg
cd by the proposition. Hes- srts.s -sl Fl.
The suggestion in the proclamation as
tn maintaining the political framework of
the States on what is called reconstruction,
is male in the hope that it may do good
without danger of harm. 1t will save la
Dor and avoid great confusion. sIa.sa's.R
But why any proclamation now upon
this subject? This question is beset with
the conflicting views that the step might
be delayed too long or be taken too soon
In some States the elements for resump-
ton seem ready, tor action. but, remain i'm
active. apparently for want of a ralIy'ng
point-a plan OF action Why shall A
adopt the plan of d. rather than B that OF
A? ,And,if A and B should agree, how
can they know but that the general gov
eminent here will reject their plan? By
the proclamation plan is presented which
may be accepted by them as a rallying
point, and which they are assured in ad-
vance will not be rejected here. This may
bring them to act sooner than they other
wise would. AZ E>f tkLba thkz
Inc objections to a premature presenta-
tion of plan by The national Executive
consists in the danger of committals on
points which could be more safely LEFT to
further Developments. Care has been ia
ken to SO, shape the document as to avoid
embarrass neBts from this source. Saying
that. on certain terms, certain classes i'll
be pardoned. with rights restored, it's not
said that sothes- classes, -or other terms.
will never be included. Saying that re-.