Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-12-10

cepted BY them rallying point, and which,
they are assured in advance, will not be re.
iected here This may bring them to act
sooner than they otherwise would The OBJ
lection TO premature presentation Of plan
BY thessNational Executive oonsistsin danger
Of comnittanis In points which could be
more safely left TO further developments, care
has been taken to so shape the document as
to avoid embarrassment from this source. In
saying that on certain terms certain classes
will be pardoned, with their rights restored
il is not said that other classes on other terms
will never be included In saying that re-
construction will be accepted it presented in
specified way it is not said that it will new
er be accepted in another way.
The movements by State actious for eman
cpations in several Of the States not included
in the Emancipation Proclamation, are mat.
tors Of profound graduation, and while | do
not repeat in detail what have heretofore so
earnestly urged npon this subject, my general
views and feelings remain unchanged, and
trust that Congress will omit no fair opportu-
nifty of aiding these important steps to the
great eonsummaton.
In The midst Of other cares however impor-
tant, we must not lose sight of the fact that
the war power is still our main reliance. To
that power alone can we look yet fol u time
to give confidence to the people in contested
regions thatthe insurgent power will not again
overrun them. Until that confidence shall
be established little can be done any nywhero
for what is called reconstruction. Hence, our
chiefest care must still be directed to our Ar
my and Navy, who have thus far borne their
harder part so nobly and well; and it may be
esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest
efficiency to their indispensable arms we do
also honoraby encourage gallant men, from
commander to sentinel who compose them,
and to whom, more than all Others the world
must stand indebted for the home of freedom,
disenthralled, regenerated, enlarged and per-
petrated.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Washington, December s, 1868.
Proclamation Accompanying
the Message.
The following proclamation is appended to
the Message;
WHEREAS, On and by the Constitution of
the United States it is provided that the Pres
ident shall have power to grant reprieves and
pardons for ofenses against the United States,
except in cases Of impeachment;
And, WHEREAS, A rebellion now exists,
whereby the loyal States and governments of
several States have, for a long time, been sub
verted, and many persons have committed
and are now guilty of treason against the
United States
AND WHEREAS, With reference to said re.
belIon and treason, laws have been enacted
by Congress declaring the forfeiture and con.
| fscation of property, and liberation of slaves
all upon terms and conditions therein stated
and also declaring that the President was
thereby authorized ct any time thereafter by
proclamation, 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 terms, and
on such conditions as he may deem expedient
| for the public welfare
AND, WHEREAS, The Congressional deelara-
tion for limited and conditional pardon, ac-
cords with well established Judicial exposltions
of the pardoning power;
AND, WHEREAS, With reference to said re-
bellion, the President of the United States has
issued several proclamatons with provisions
in regard to the liberation of slaves
AyD, WHEREAS, 1t is now desired by some
persons, heretofore engaged in said rebellion,
TO resume their allegiance to the United
States and re-nauguCate loyal State govern
ments within and for their respective States
| therefore,
| !, Abraham Lincoln, President of the Uni
ted Slates do proclaim, declare and make
known to all persons who have, directly or
by implication, participated in the existing
rebe lion, except as hereinafter excepted, that
a full pardon is granted to them, and each of
them with restoration of all rights if third
parties shall have interviewed, and upon the
condition that every such person shall take
and subscribe an oath, and thenceforwatd
keep and maintain said oath inviolate and
which oath shall be registered for permanent
preservation, and shall be of the tenor and
effect following, to-wit
81 do solemnly swear, in presence of AL.
mighty God that l will heneelorth faithfully
support, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States, aud the Union of States
hereunder, and that / will in like manner
abide by and faithfully support all acts OF
Congress passed during the existing rebellion
with reference TO slaves, so long and so far as
not yet repealed, modified or held void by
Congress or by decision of the Supreme Court
and that will, in like manner, abide by and
faithfully support all proclamations of the
President made during the existing rebellion,
having reference to slaves, 50 long and 80 far
as not modified or declared void by decision
Of the Supreme Court, so help me God
The persons excepted from the benefits of
the foregoing provisions all who are or
have been civil or diplomatic officers or agents
Of the so called Confederate Government, all
who have left judicial stations under the
United Slater to aid the rebellion; all who are
or shall have been military or naua officers
of the rank ofColonel in the army or Lieu
tenant in the navy all who left seats in the