North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-08-17

ptCFSAtbig thC oiil lFoih UeCouIbS law; Ahe
President proceeds to declare his purpose
TO e.reeute ii as lalo by aas pLenaTy dictato-
rial pouer. .... .-.# aa.I -.-.
He says :. .-.. g..
Nevertheless, am fully satisfied with the
system for restoration contained in the bill
as one very proper plan for the loyal people
OF any State choosing to adopt it aud that
am, and at all times shall be, prepared to
give the Executive aid and assistance TO any
such people so soon as the military resis stence
TO the United States shall have been sup
pressed IN any such Stale, and people thereof
shall have sufficiently retu, ned to their
ohediance TO the construction and the laws Of
the United States In which cases Military
Govern"rs Will be app ointed, with directions
10 proceed according 10 the bull.
A more studied outrage on the legislative
authority of the people has never been per-
petrated.
Congress passed bill !; the President re
fused to approve it, and then by proclama-
lion puts as much ofit in force as his sees fit,
and proposes to execute those parts by Off
GERS unknown to the laws of the United
States and not subj sct TO the coufirmat on
of the Senate
The bill directed the appointment OF Pro-
visona Governors by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate.
The President, after defeating the law
proposes 10 appoint withou lan, and with
out the advice and consent OF the Senate
Military Government for the rebel States !
He has already exercised this &C aturia
usurpation in Louisiana, and he defeated the
bill to prevent its limitation.
Henceforth we must regard the following
precedent as the Presidential law of the reb-
.! States
.. -. . EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, March l5, 1864.
His Ercetlency, MichaeL Hahn, Gorernor o(
louisiana: -......
Until further orders, you are hereby invest
ed With the powers exercised hitherto by
the Military Government Of Louisiana.
.... ........ Yours,
- ABRAHAM LINCOLN
This Michael Hahn is no officer OF the
United States, the President, without law
without the advice and consent of the Senate
by private note not even countersigned by
The Secretary OF State MAKES him dictator of
Louisiana
The bill provided for the civil administra-
nf 4 ha e h>
In fit temper to govern itself-re pea ling all
laws recognizing slavery, and making all msn
equal before the law. .
These benefcent provisions the President
has annnlled. People will die, and marry
and transfer property, and buy and sell
and to these acts oil civil life courts and off
GERS Of the law are necessary. Congress leg
slated for these necessary things and the
President depriyes them Of the protection of
The law -.
The Presidents purpose to instruct his
Military Governors "to proceed according to
.he bilr'-a makeshft to calm the disap-
ouintment its defeat has occasioned--is not
merely grave usurpation but a transparent
ielusion.
lie cannot proceed according to the bill''
'fter preventing it from becoming law.
Whatever is done will be at his will and,
pleasure, by persons responsible to no law
md more interested to secure the interests
nd execute the will of the President than of
he people and the will of Congress is TO be
httd TOR rought," "unless the loyal peop le
If the rebcl States choose to adopt it,"
Ifthey should graciously prefer the strin-
gent bill to the easy proclamation, still the
egistraiion vii! be made under no legal sane
ION 1t will give no assurance that MAORI
y of the people of the States have taken the
'ath if adminiSte red, it will be without lie. |
al authority. and void no indictment will
lie for false swearing at the election. or for
dmitting bad or rejecting good votes it will
e the farce of Louisiana and Arkansas acted |
yer again, under the forms of this bill. but |
lot by authority Of law. ,.s..
But when we come to the guarantees of fu- !
ure peace which Congress meant TO enact.tbe |
or'ns, as well as the subs;a nee Of the bill, |
nust yield to the Presidents will that none
hould be imp sed.
1t was the solemn resolve of Congress to
rotect the loyal lnen of the nation against
hree great dangers u the return to power
f the guilty lealers Of the reb,lllon, { J the
ontinuance of slavery, and (3) the burden Of
he rebel debt.
u Congress required assent to these proyi- |
'ons by the Convention of the State and if i
efused it was 10 be dissolved. 1856.
The President "holls for naught" that re-
olive of Congress. because he is unwilling s'to |
e infexiby committed to any one plan of |
estoratiou," and the people of the Enited |
states are not to be allowed to protect them
elves unless their enemies agree to it,
The order to proceed according to the bill |
3 therefore merely st tha will Of the rehei |