Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-12-11

future a new aspect, about which hope, fear,
and doubt contended in uncertain conflict
According to our political system. As matter
Of civil administration, tho General Govern
ment had no lawful power to effect emanci.
patton in any State, and for long time it
has been hoped that the rebellion could be
suppressed without resorting to it as a mill.
tary measure. It was all the while denied
that possible necessity for it might come,
and that if It should, Tho crisis Of the contest
would then be presented. It came, and as
It was intended; it was followed by dark and
doubtful days: eleven months have passed,
and we are permitted to take another review.
The rebel borders are pressed still further
back, and by the complete opening of the
river the country domineersd over
by the rebellion is divided into distinct parts.
Practical communication between them, and
Tennessee and Arkansas, has been substan-
tally cut, and cleared of insurgent control,
and the citizens, owners Of slaves and advo-
Gates Ct slavery at the beginning of the rebel
lion, now declare openly for emancipation in
their respective States. or those States not
included in the Emancipation Proclamation,
Maryland and Missouri, neither Of which
years ago would tolerate any resistance to the
extension of slavery into the new territories,
only dispute now as to tho best mode Of re-
moving il from their own limits. Of those
who were slaves at the beginning of the re-
bellion, full one hundred thousand are now in
the United States military service, one-half OF
which actually bear arms in the ranks, thus
giving the double advantage Of taking 30
much labor from the insurgent cause, and
supplying the places which otherwise must
be filled with so many white men. So at
tested, it ia difficult to say that they are not
Is good soldiers AZ any, with no tendency to
servile instruction, violence or cruelty. The
measure of emancipation, and arming the
blacks, has been much discussed in foreign
and contemporary with such discus
sion the soul Of public sentiment is much i'm
proved at home. The same measures were
fully discussed, supported, criticised and de-
nounced at home, and the annual elections
following are highly encouraging TO- those
whose special duty it is to steer the country
through this great trial. Thus we have
passed through the crisis which threatened
to divide the friends Of the Union.
Looking now to the present and to the fu-
ture and with reference to resumption of
the National authority within the States
where that authority has been suspended, |
have thought it fit to issue proclamation, a
copy Of which have herewith transmitted.
On examination Of this proclamation it will
appear that it is amply justified by the Con-
stitution 1t is true the form of an oath is
given, but no one is coerced to take it. "A
man is only promised pardon in case he
voluntarily takes the OATH The Constitu-
ton authorizes the Executive to grant such
terms as is fully established by Judicial and
other authorities; it also proffered that II any
Of the States namo a Government it shall
be in the mode prescribed and set up; such
Government shall be recognized and guaran.
teed by us; and that under it the State shall
under the Constitution be protected against
invasion and domestic violence. The Con-
stitu.ional obligation Of the United States to
guarantee in every State Of the Union re-
publican form of Government, and to protect
the State in the cases stated, is explicit and
full. But why tender the benefits OF this
provision only to State government set Up
in this particular way? This section Of the
Constitution contemplates case wherein the
element within State favorable to Repub
lican Government in the Union, and may bt
loo feeble for an opposite and hostile
external elenent and even within the State
and such are precisely the cases with which
We are now dealing-an attempt to guaranteed
and protect reprised State Government
constructed in whole or preparatory par
from the very element against hostility ant
violence. to be protected, is simply absurd
There must DO new test by which to sepa
rate opposing elements SO IS to limit ONLY
the sound, and that test is sufficiently lib
eral one, which accepts as sound whoeve
will make sworn recantation OF his forme
unsoundnsss, but II it be proper to require
as a test of admission to the political body
an oath of allegiance to the Constitution AM
the Union, why not also to the laws an
proclamations in regard to slavery.
These laws and proclamations were enact
ed and put forth for tho purpose Of aiding i
the suppression of the rebellion. To CIV
their fullest effect, there had to be pledg
/ for their maintainance. In my judgmen
they have aided and further aid the caus
for which they were enlisted. To give u
this principle, would be not only to relinquis
lever of power, but would also be cruz
and astounding breach Of faith. | may ad
to this point, that while l remain in m
present position, shall not attsmpt to n
trace or modify the Emancipation Proclams
ton, nor shall l return to slavery any pei
son who is free by the terms Of the Procl'
nation, or by any acts Of Congress; for thes
and other resolutions it is thought best tbs
the support of these persons shall ss include
! in the oath, and it is believed the Executlv
may lawfully claim it in return for pardo
and restoration of projected rights, which b
has constitutional power to withhold 2
together or grant upon the term which
1 shall deem wisest for the public interest.
should be observed also that this part of tn
oath il subject to the modifying and abroga
ing power Of legislation and supreme Jndic,'
decision. The proposed acqulescencs OF IN
national executive in any honorable temp,
rary State arrangements for the freed poop
made with the view Of possibly modlfy'n
the confusion and restitution which must I
best attend all classes, by great revolutio
of labor throughout the whole States. II
hoped that the already deeply afflicted pei
pie in these States may be somewhat MOI
ready to give up the cause of their atfiictior
and to this extent, this vital matter 10 left e.
clusively to themselves, while no power {
the National Executive to prevent an abus'
/ is abridged by proposition. The suggestio
of the proclamation as maintaining Of the pt
litical frame. works of the States, on what
called reconstruction, is made in the hop
that it may do coed without the danger {
harm. II will save labor and avoid grea
confusion, but why any proclamation no,
upon the subject. This question is bess
with the conflicting views that the ste
might be delayed too long or taken too 500
] in some element for resumption seems read
for action bat remains inactive, apparent
for want OF a rallying point or q plan Of q
ton. Why shall A adopt the plan Of
rather than B that of A, or if A and B sho'
agree, how can they know but the gener,
government hsrs viii rsspect their plan =