Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-08-27

vest in him discretion it could not exer-
else itself.
1t is the more unintelligiblo from the
fact that, except in respect to small part
of Virginia aud Louisiana, the bill cover
ed only what the proclamation covered
added Congressional title and judicial
remedies by law 10 the disputed title un-
der the proclamation, and perfected the
work the President professed to be SO anx-
ious to accomplish.
Slavery as an institution can be abolish |
ed only by a change Of the Constitution of
the United States or of the law of the
State and this is the principle of the bill.
1t required the now Constitution of the
State TO provide for that prohibition, and
the President, in the face of bis own proc
lamation, does not venture to object to in
sistng on that condition-yot he defeated
the only provision imposing it
But when he describes himself, in spite
of this great blow at emancipation, as Sin
ccrely hoping and expecting that a con-
sti,u,ional amendment abolishing slavery
throughout the nation may be adopted,
we curiously inquire on what his expecta-
tions rest, after the vote of the House Of
Representatives at the recent session, and
in the face of the political complexion Of
more than enough oil the States to prevent
the possibility of its adoption within any
reasonable time and why he did not in
dulgc his sincere hopes with so large an
installment of the blessing as his approval
of The bill would have secured.
After this assignment OF his reason for
preventing the bill from becoming law,
the Presidens proceeds to declare his pur-
pose 10 execute ii as a IaD by his plcmary
dictat0rt7L powe'.
He says:
Nevertheless, am fully satisfied with
the system for restoration contained in the
bill as one very proper and plain 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 resistance to the Uni.
ted States shall have been suppressed in
any such State, and the people thereof
shall havo sufficiently returned to their
obedience to the Constitution and the laws
of the United States ; in which cases Mill
tary Governors will be appointed, with di-
rcctions to proceed according to the bill.
A more studied outrage on the Legisla-
tive authority oil the people has never been
perpetrated.
Congress passed bill : tho President
refused to approve it, and then by procla-
nation puts as much Of it in force as he
sees fit, and proposes to execute those
parts by officers unknown to the lava of
Of the United States aId not subject to
the confirmation Of the Senate
The bill directed appointment Of Pro
visional Governors by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate.
Tho President, after defeating the law,
proposes to appoint without law, and with.
out the advice and consent oil the Senate,
Military Governors for tho rebel States
He has already exercised this dictator
ial usurpGtion in Louisiana, and he defea-
ted the bill to prevent its lin,itation.
Hencoforth we must regard tho foil
ing precedent as the Presidential law OF
the rebel States;
Executive MANSION,
WAsulN GToN, March IS, 1864
Ills ercellsncy, Michael Hahn, G0v0no'
Of Louisiana
Until further ordc RS yon are hereby in.
vested with the powers exercised hitherto
by the Military Governor of Louisiana.
Yours, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
This Michael Hahn is no officer of the
! United States, tho President, without law
without the advice and consent of tho Sen
ate, by a private note not even counter
signed by the Secretary of State, make,
him dictator Of Louisiana
The bill provided for the civil admins
trati)n of the laws of the State-Hll il
should be in a fit temper to govern itself
repeating oil laws recognizing slavery, and
making all men equal before the law.
These benefcent provisions tho Pro,i
dent has aanulled. People will die, and
marry. and transfer property, and buy
and scll-and to these acts Of civil lifr
courts aud officers Of the law are nccessa
ry. Congress legsated for these nccessa
ry things, and the President dcprivcs then
of the protection oil the law
The Presidents purpose to instruct h
Military Governors "to proceed according
to the bill'-a makcshift to calm the dis
appointment its defeat has occasioned-i
not merely grave usurpatiOn but trans
parent delu.on:
He cannot proceed according to the
blll' after preventing it from becoming Q
law.
Whatever is done will be at his will ant
pleasure, by persons responsible to NJ
law, and more interested to secure the in
tercsts and execute the will Of the Presi
dent than of the people aud tho will o
Congress is to be HeM for naugh,,' unles
the loyal people of the Rebel States chOOs'
to adopt it,"
II they should graciously prefer thC
stringent bill to the easy proclamation
still the registration will be made unde
no legal sanction it will give no assuranc
that majority of the people of the State
have taken the oath ; if administered, i
will be without legal authority, and void
no indictment will lie for false swearing a
e. l.. L \