The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-12-12
For these and otherreasons. i, is tho ucbt

For these and other reasons, il is thought
best that the support of these persons shall
be included In the oath, and 1t is believed
that the Executive may lawfully claim 1t
in return for pardon and restoration Of
forfeited rights, which he has the clear
constitutional power to Withhold altogether,
or grant upon the terms which he shall
deem wisest for the public interest
1t should be observed, also, that this
part Of the oath is subject to the modify
ing and abrogating power of legislation
and supreme judicial decision.
The proposed acquescence of the Ma
tional Executive in any honorable tempo
rary State arrangement for the freed peo-
pie Is made with the view of possibly mod
flying the confusion and restitution which
must at best attend all classes by a total
revolution Of labor drought the slave
States. 1t is hoped that the already deeply
afflicted people in these States may be
somewhat more ready to give up the cause
of their atf1iction, and, TO this extent, this
vital matter is left to themselves, while no
power of the National Executive to pres
vent an abuse is abridged by the propo-
sition.
The suggestion in the proclamation as
to maintaining the political frame work of
the States, on what is called reconstruction.
is made in the hope that ii may do good
Without the danger of harm, it will save
labor and avoid great confusion.
But why any proclamation now upon
the subject? This question is beset with
the conflicting views that the step might
be delayed too long, or be taken too soon.
Some elements Tor reconstruction seem
ready for action, but remain inactive APP
parentlv for want of a ralying poin.-a
nj Of anf,4 Ill i 81
plan OF B, rather than Il that of A, and if
A and b should agree, how can they know
that the general govern ment here will re-
spect their plan? By the proclamation a
plan is presented which may be accepted
by them as a rallying point, and which,
they aie assured in advance, will no. be
rejected here. This may bring them to
act sooner than they otherwise would
he objection lea a premature presenta-
ton OF a plan by the National Executive
consists in the danger OF commit'al Oh
points which could be more safely left to
further developments Care has been
taken to 50 shape the document ar
TO avoid embarrassment from this source
In saying that. on certain terms. CERTAIN
classes will be pardoned, with their rights
restored, it Is not said that other terms
Will never be included. In saying a recon
strution will he accepted Il presented in a
specified way, it Is not sid that il Will
never be accepted in any other way.
The movements for State action for
emancipation Ia several Of the States not
included in the emancipatir procla mai IN
are matters Of profound qualification. and.
while 90 not repeat in detail whatIl have
heretofore 50 earnestly urged upon this
subject my general views and feelings re-
main unchanged and trust that Congress
VIII omit no fair opportunity Of aiding
these important steps to the great consunl- +
nation.
In the midst of other cares, however i'm /
portan', We must not lose sight OF the fact
that the war power is still our main rei- (
ance. To that power alone can we look /
yet FOR time, to give confidence to the '
people in contested regions that the
In,uTsent power Will not again overrun .
them Until that confidence shall be Z
established little can lie done anywhere /
for what i called recon-truction hence
our chief care must all be directed To our
army and navy, who have thu, far borne !
their hard part so molly aud well and .
II may be IS teemrd fortunate that. in
giving the greatest efficiency 10 ilr-e
Indispensable arms, We 10 also l4ouulaiIy .
encourage the gallant nea, from comn.au
der 10 sentinel, who compose them. and to
W nom more than 10 all others the world
stands II iebtei for the home OF freedom.
l.S-Lth!al!cd, rcEsnc-alei. enlarged and
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
WAsH!Ssr1N, Dc .. So