Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-12-17

must be filed with so many white men, So
Ear as tested it is difficult to say they are
not as good soldiers as any. No servile in
surrection or tendency to violence or cruelty
has marked the measures Of emancipation
Of the blacks.
These measures have been much discussed
in foreign countries, and cotemporary with
such discussion the tone of public sentiment
there is much improved. At home the
same measure have been fully discussed,
supported, criticised and denounced, and the
annual elections following are highly encour-
aging to those whose special duty it is to
bear the country through this great trial
Thus we have the reckoning. The crisis
which threatened to divide the friends Of the
Union is past.
PLAN roR REcoNsTRU CTioN.
looking now to the present and future,
and with reference to resumption of the
National authority within the States wherein
that authority has been suspended, have
thought fit to issue Proclamation copy
Of which is herewith transmitted On ex-
animation Of this proclamation it will APP
pear, as is believed, amply justified by the
Constitution. True, the form Of an oasi,
is given, but no man is coerced to take it.
A man IS only proffered pardon, in case
he voluntarily takes the oath, the Constitu-
ton authorizes the Executive to grant, on
terms fully established by judicial and other
authorities, 1t is also proffcred that if in
any OF the States named seat Of Govern
ment shall be, in the mode prescribed, set
up, such government shall be recognized and
guaranteed by the United States, and that
under it the State shall, On constitutional
conditions, be protected against invasion and
domestic violence
r 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 provision only to State Govern
ment set up in its particular way? This
section of the Constitution eontemplates a
case wherein the element within State,
favorable to a Republican Government in tho
Union, may be too feeble for an opposite and
hostile external to, and even within the
State, and such are precisely the cases with
which we are now dealing. An attempt to
guarantee and protect revived State Gov
eminent, constructed in whole or in prepon-
derating part from the very element against
whose hostility and violence it is to be pro-
tected, IS simply absurd. There must be a
test by which to separate opposing clements
so as to build only from the sound and that
test is asufficiently liberal one Whit h accepts
as sound whoever will make sworn recan-
tation Of his former unsoundnoss.
But if it be proper to require as a test of
admission to the political body. an oath of
allegiance to the Constitution of the United
States and to the Union under it, why not
also to the laws, ar. the proclamations in
regard to slavery? These laws and procla-
nations were enacted and put forth for the
purpose Of aiding in the suppression of the
rebellion. To give their fullest effect, there
had to be pledge for their maintenance.
In my Judgment they have aided, and will
further aid, the cause for which they were
enacted and set forth
To give up this principle would be not
only to relinquish lever of power, but
would also be cruel and astounding breach
OF faith | may add, at this point that
While l remain in my present position
snail not attempt to retract or modify the
emancipation proclamation, nor shall re-
turn to slavery any person who is free by the
terms OF the proclamation or by any act of
Congress.
FOR those and other resolutions it is thought
best that the support of these provisions
snail be included in the oath. and it is be-
II mat the Executive may lawfully claim
it in return for pardon and the restoration
Oh forfeited rights, which he has a clear
constitutional power to withhold altogether.
or grant upon the terms which he shall
deem Wlsest for the public interest It
should be observed also that this part of the
oatn Is subject to the modifying and abro-
gazing power of legislation and the supreme
judicial decision.
Inc proposed acquiescence of the Nation
al Executive any honorable temporary state
arrangement for the freed people. is made
with the view Of possibly modifying the
confusion which must, at best, attend ]
all classes of total revolution of labor
throughout the revolted States.
It is hoped that the already deeply alflict-
ed people in those states may be somewhat
more ready to give up the cause of their
affliction to this extent, if this vital matter
be left to themselves, while no power of the
NalioHta rASealiFe 10 prevent an aDuSe is
abridged by the proposition. The sugges-
ton in the proclamation as to maintaining
the political framework of the States or
what is called reconstruction, is made in
the hope that it may do good without the
danger of doing harm. 1t will save labor
and avoid great confusion.
But why any proclamation now upon this
subject! The question is beset with the
conflicting views that the step might be de-
layed too long, or be taken too soon. In
some States the elements of resumption
seem ready for action, but remain inactive,
apparently for want of rallying point or
plan of action. Why shall A adoht the
plan Of j, rather than B that of A? and if
4 and B should agree, how can they know
that the General Government here will re-
spect their plans: BY the Proclamation a
plan is presented which may be accepted by
them as rallyipg point, and which they
are assured in advance will not be rejected
here. This may bring them to action soon
or than they otherwise would.
The objection to premature presenta-
lion of plan by the National Executive