The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-01-13

that the General Government here vii
reject their plan2 By the proclamation
Ia plan is presented which may be accepte,
by them as raIlying point, and whicl
they are assured in advance Will not b
rejected here. This may bring them t
act sooner than they otherwise would.
! The objection to premature presenta
tion OF 2 plan by the National Executlv
consists in the Danger Of committals OF
points which could be safely left to far
ther developments Care has been takel
to so shape the document as to avoid EN-
, barrassment from this source.
Ia saying that on certain terms certaii
classes will be pardoned with their right'
restored, it is not said that other classe!
on other terms will never be included
In saving that reconstruction will bc
accepted if presented in specified way
it is not said that it will never be accepted
10 any other way.
The movements, by State action, fol
emancipation in several of the States not
included in he Emancipation Proclama.
tion, are matters of profound graduation,
and while | do not repeat in detail what
I have heretofore 20 earnestly urged upon
this subject, my general views and feel
ings remain unchanged, and trust that
Congress will omit no fair opportunity OF
aiding these important steps to the great
co0summation.
Tn the midst of other cares. however
Important, we must not lose sight of the
fact that the war power is still our main
rolance-to that power alone can we look,
vet for a time to give confidence to the
people in the contested regions that the
insargenr power will not again overrun
them. UDtil that confidence shall be
established little can be done anywhere
for what is called Reconstruction hence,
cur chielest care must still be directed to
the army and navy, who have thus far
borne their harder part SO nobly and we'll.
And it may be esteemed fortunate that in
giving the greatest efficiency to these in
armies, we do also honorably
recognize the gallant men, from com
mander to sentinel, who compose them,
and to whom more than to others the
world must stand indebted for !he home
Of freedom, disinthralIed, regenerated,
and perpetuated.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 5, 1868.
rpoCr ,,r,r,ONr on rrrTr, rDrcrrrNrr
The following proclamation is appended
to the Message -
PROCLAMATION Whereas, on and by
the Constitution Of the United States, it
IS provided that the President shall have
power TO grant rcprieves and pardons for
offences against the United States, except
in cases Of impeachment; aud whereas
tho rebellion now existing whereby the
legal State governments Of several States
have for long time been subgerted, and
many persons have committed and are new
guilty of treason against the United
States.
Whereas, With reference to said re
belIion and treason, laws have been en-
acted By Congress declaring for further
confsc&lion cf property, and Liberation 6!
slaves, all upon terms and conditiona
therein stated and also declaring that
the President was thereby authorized at
any time thereafter, by proclamation, to
extend to persons who may have parlici-
pated in the rebellion in any State or any
part thareof, pardon and amnesty, with
such exceptions and at such times and on
such conditions as he may deem expedi-
ent for the public welfare.
Hhercas, The Congressional dsclara-
ton for limited and conditional pardon
accords With well-establishcd judicial
evnos;ijon Of the pardoDino power: and
Whereas, With reference to said re,
beIIion the President Of the United States
has issued several procIauations with