Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-12-15

them Tennessee and Arkansas have
been substantially cleared of insurgent
control and influence, and the citizens in
each, and owners of slaves and advocates
of slavery at the beginning Of the REBEL
ion, now declare openly for emancipation
in their respective States. OfthOse Stases
not included in the emancipation procla-
mation. Maryland and Missouri, neither
of which. years ago, would tolerate any
restraint upon the extentiOn of slavery
into the new Territories, only dispute
now as to the best mode of removing it
within their own limits,
Oh those who were slaves at the begin
mig of the rebellion, fully one hundred
thousand are now in the United States
military service, about one-half of which
number actually bear arms in the ranks,
thus giving the double advantage of taking
so uch labor from the insurgent cause,
and supplying the places which otherwise
must be filled with so many white men,
So far as tested, it is difficult TO say that
they are not as good soldiers as any. No
servile iDsurrectiOc, or tendency to vi1S
leTce or cruelty has marked the measures
of emancipation and arming the blacks.
These measures have been much discuss
ed in foreign countries; aud. cOntempO>
rary with such discussion, the tone of
public sentiment there is much improved,
At home the same measures have been
fully discussed, supported criticised, and
denounced and the annual elections fol-
lowing are highly encouraging to those
whose special duty it is to bear the counA
tap through this great trial.
Thus we have the reckoning. The cri-
sis which threatened to divide the friends
of the Union is past. Locking now to the
present and future, and with reference to
n resumption of the nationsl authority
within the States wherein that antharity
has been suspended, have thought fit to
issue proclamation, n copy of which is
herewith transmitted. On examination of
his proclamation, it will appear, as iSbes
licved. amply Istified to the constitution.
True, the form of an oath is given, but no
man is cOerced to take it. A man is only
promised pardon in case he Voluntarily
takes the oath. The constitution authors
yes the Executive to grant pardOrs. as is
fully established by judicial and other aus
thOrities. 1t also provides that if, in any
of the Suites numsd, State government
shall be, in the mode prescribed, set up
such government shall he recognized and
guaranteed by the United States, and
that, under it, the State shall be protect
ed against invasion aud domestic violence
The constitutional obligation of the United
States to guarantee to every State in the
Union n republican form Of government,
and to protect the States in the cases sta
ted. is explicit and full but why tender
the benefits of this provision only to a
State government set up in this particu-
lar way? This section of the constitution
cOntemplatcs n case wherein State favOS
rable to a republican government IN the
Union may be too feeble for an opposite
and hostile element, 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 a
revised State government, constructed in
the whole or q prepohderating Ipart from
Il very element against whose hostility
and violence it is to be protected. is sim.
ply absurd There must be test by
which to separate opposing elements, so
as to build only from the sound and that
test is a sufficiently liberal one which &C =
ccpts as sound whoever will make a sworn
recantation of his former unsoundness.-
But, if it be proper to require, as q test
of admission to the political body, an oath
of allegiance to the Eco stitutiOn of the I'm
tied States and the Union under it, why
not also to the laws and proclamation in
regard to slavery? These laws and pros
lamation were enacted and put forth for
the purpose of aiding the suppression OF
the rebellion. TO give them 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. To give up thi:
principle would be not only to relinquisl
a lever Of power, hut would also be a cru,
ell and astounding breach of faith. l may
add, at.tbis point, that, while l remain in
my present position, l shall not attempt
to rctract or modify the emancipation proc
lamation nor shall l return to slavery
any person who is free by the terms OF
the proclamation, or by any act of Con,
gress.
For these and other reasons, it is thought
best that the support of these persons
shall be included. in the oath, and il
is believed that the Executive may law.
fully claim it in return for pardon and res
| tcration by for cited rights, which he has
the clear constitutional power to withhold
altogether, orssgrant upon the terms which
he shall deem wisest fol the public inter,
! est. ....
1t should be observed, also, that TIL:
| Iart of the oath is subject to the modifying
and abrogati lg power of legislation and
| judicial decision.
| The proposed acquiescence OF the Ma.
tiOnal Executive in any honorable tempo,
rary State arrangement for the freed PEG,
pie is made with the view of possibly mod,
| flying the confusion and RESTITUTION which
must at best attend all classes by a tota
revolution OflabOr throughout the slave
| States. 1t is hoped that the already deep
| ly afflicted people in these States may be
| somew hat more ready to give M the cause
| of their Gfiiction. and, to this extent, this
| vital matter is left to themselves, while nc
power of the Rational Excessive to prevent
an abuse is abridged by the proposition
! The suggestion m the proclamation a.
| to maintaining the political France work
| of the States, on what is called reconstruc
l,tiOn, is made IN the hope that it NAV d.
| good. Without the danger of harm. il
will save labor and avoid great conlu.
sion. IL
But why any proclamation now upon
the subject2 This question is beset with
the conflicting views that the step might
he delayed too long, or be taken too soon
Some elements for reconstruction, seem
ready for action but remain inactive
appareutlY for want of rally.
ing pOint-a plan of action, Why should
A adopt the plan of b, rather than
Il that ora, AMI, if A AMI 3 should agree
how can they know that the general gov
eminent here Will res rect their plan? By
the proclamation plan is presented that
may be accepted by them AS rallying
point, and which, they are assured in ad.
vance, will not be rejected here. This
may bring them to act sooner than they
otherwise would.
The objection to premature presenta-
ton of plan by the National Executive
consists in the danger of commital on
points which could be more safely left to
further developments. Care has been ta.
ken to so shape the document as to avoid
embarrassment from this source. 10 saw