The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-15
The Presidents Message.

since the organization U tHe SoNei"-
ment, has been more anxiously looked
for. for never has one treated OF more
momentous interests. The country was
feryerish to know whether there was to
he any modification Of the Proclamation
of Emancipation, or any hint at surren-
der of its righteous provisions, in obedi-
ence to semi.treasonable clamor. 1t was
understood. too, that the question of re-
construction was TO be discussed, and
there was anxiety to know upon what
principle the honest, patriotic head Of
our Nation had deemed reconstruction
possible and feasible. The friends Of
the President had faith in his love Of
Freedom, faith in his love of Right, faith
in his love of Country. They have not
been disappointed. Clearly, .emphad-
ealIy the President announces his deter
mination, SO long as he remains in his
present position, not TO modify his great
proclamation Of freedom. Looking at its
results he clearly shows its necessity and
its power in overcoming the National
enemies Of the Union. To abandon it,,
he says, would not only be to relinquish
a lever Of power, but would also be a
cruel and astonishing breach OF faith.
Duty to conscience, duty to the Union,
demands that the proclamation be made
irrevocable @
The question Of reconstruction is also
happily met. His reasoning has the rare
quality of suitiag both radicals and con-
servatives. 1t effectually disposes Of The
common objections urged by semi'se-
cessionists North and South, that there
is no inducement for the rebels to give
up the contest. It declares to every
rebel in arms, except two or three thou
sand of their chiefs, that just as soon as
they lay down their arms and voluntari-
~ take the oath of allegiance TO the Uni
ted States, and declare that they will
abide by the acts of Congress and the
Executive in regard to Slaves, so long
and so far as not repealed or modified by
Congress or the .Supreme Court, they will
be granted full pardon, and be restored
to former privileges OF citizenship, with
their property entact, save that which
had not previously been confscated and
sold. Under this plan, ninety of every
one hundred of the people at the South
can return to their allegiance to morrow,
without relinquishing their rights OF
property or Of citizenship, which the
great mass Of the other tenth lose only
their right to sell and Cypress their fel
fellow men. and build up system an
,tagonisiic to every principle of the gov
eFumen. How can Copperheadism find
fault with this, especially when the Pres
ident leaves the efficiency and validity
of Emancipation and Confscation to the
Supreme Court?
We append the Proclama lion Of the
Presiten: OF this watsr. having no room
for fugiher remarks upon it,;
PROCLAMATION.
Whereos, In and by the Constitution
Of thu United States, it is provided that
the president shall have power to grant
repr,eves AMI pardous for offences
the United States, except in cases of i'm
parchment and
Whereas, A Rebellion now exists
whereby the loyal State Governments of
several States have for a long time been
subverted, and many persons have com
mitted and are now guilty Of treason
against the United States, and
Whereas, With reference to said re
bellion and treason, laws have been en-
acted by Congress declaring forfeitures
and coafiscation of property and liberia
ZION of slaves, all upon terms and condi |
Lions therein stated and also declaring
that the President was hereby author
lied at any time thereafter, by proclama |
ton. to extend to persons who may have
participated in the existing rebellion in
any State, or part thereof, pardon and
amnesty, with such exceptions and at
such times and on such conditions as he
may deem e2pedient for the public well
fare, and
Waereas. The Congressional deolara
ton for limited and conditional pardons
accoFds with the we'll established Judi
ciaI exposition Of the pardoning power,
and
Whereas, With reference 10 the said
Rebellion the President of the United
States has issued several proclamations
with provisions in regard TO the liberia
lion Of slaves, and
Whereas, 1t is now desirable by some
persons heretofore engaged in the said
Rebellion TO resume their allegiance 10
The United States, aud to reinaugurate
lsya State Governments within and for
, Irrespective States;