The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-02-10
Presidents Message -Reconstruction.
wAsHiSGroN, DEc. l4th, lSe3.


writing you ieter of sore interest to your readers
shosld nos a word upon the message Of Assa-
HAx LINCOLN the ssth Congress, if there were not
violent 3isputaons going around IS To its carse-
ter. meaning and ultimate object and effect Mr. Lin
coin could have framed have satisfied the
sen,i-tra:torous faction that opposes him, except
should he based the absolute resractica Of the
Proclamation of Freedom. Ii Is not strange that fact
ion should msuigc his words and Aenounce his acts.
HIS Proclamation of Amns,y 70 the great criminals of
tie southern Rebellion, has opened anew the mouth of
cslumuv and Misrepresentation. The adjustment of
terms Of peace between the revoltei States and the
Government has excited and almost exhausted dis
cusson. Much has been written upon the sahs of the
rebcil.ors States, the conclusion of the war;
Whether they vet b e-arded in the L non.
out of it, and in event, either in whether
by State secession they should not be reduced
Terri.o-iss- Provincial condition. This proposition
first made by Mr.. Sumner, has numerous warm sup
porers, but decided grounds have been taken against
it BY Of the Union journals. and the promi
of the Presidents friends. we'll being hostile
TO his own known views upon the question. From the
the injustice Of the scheme apparent. Re-
duccd TO Territories, they would be part Of the
United States. for the nation itself formed hy the peo-
pie have existence except as the Inssei Sasss.
A State transformed to Province would be
trsnchment of the Union. Texas a Province would
in truth be Territorial appcndsge but in true
sense, great, potent part OF the Government. But
whilst this scheme for State humiliation has been dis
cussed and opposed, the necessity of some plan to
punish fully the great criminals of the insurrection
and vet preserve the State organization intact has
forcibly presented itself; and the las; of series Of
propositions accomplish this great end is promuged
in Proclamation Of Amnesty To the insurgents by
the President himself It's fitness, its efficiency and
expedency varously discussed here and elsewhere.
We fought the idea that the seceied States are
have been of thc Union. We have all under
stood the President TO repaiiatc such idea, yet
Democratic members boldly denounce the a.
recognizing the States seceded, absolvei FROM
and ont Of The Uaion. They incensed, talk bitterly
/ and threaten terribly what they will do in comm;
elections. The Union hail it wise AMI mag
naninouy scfrme towards rei-hanied traitors, who
by law have forfeited all right to property, liberty and
life. With certain exceptions it restore these crim
nails to all these, the possession of their slaves
freed, by his Proclamation. Coul they ask more do
they deserve much ? Not in the history of nations
is there example of such leniency outlaws, such
Godke forbelrance, kindness and charity towards
who deserve exccration and ignominious death.
For eighteen months the Commander rim Chief Of the
Army" suffered slave property to be arrayei in hos
tlity the Nation fod rebel armies, il fei rebel
families while rebel white fought the Government
of the Union: 1T dortirebss trenches, Suas rsRsa
fortications, it grew .sps, ir6arrs ways !.
gave endurance, force, power, same vrse an sf
nens, until at last humanity demanded ~suat thi.
strength of the nations foe be withdrawn from them.
/ A Proclamation of Amnesty to all rebels TO four
months, then first offered; girin3 hem oil former
r'yhts, including stare property, if they would throw
down their and again bear allegiance to the Oh
! Union. The time expired, and We. rolled the fear
full surges of rebellion, blasting hopes and desolatng
hearthstones Good faith required the issuance of
the promised Proclamation of Freedom. 1t came,
assured that it be retraced. And
should it be II has proven powerful measure,
and weakened these great criminals, and given
/ cause 100000 men. Now new Proclamation is is
sued after the lapse of year and after the enactment
Of lars tcl,c prie. rsls and con.cus "a eser prop
ety) which again offers them liberty life and all prop
erty, erciuiny the slaves they owned. Now let
the people reflect Should these wicked go scott
free after the shedding of much innocent blood,
and the exhaustion of the nations strength and
ure? If they offered pardon for their crime, and
restored TO liberty and life and property justly
hscatcd by Congress, could reason and justice ask
more' Will the people chime in with rebels and cop
perheads, and cry-outrage! for stripping these bad
of their negro property? Surely not and we only
fear, now that ii is putting jewel Of gold in
swine's snout.' Let every remember that once,
after e.giae months of war, they offered all their
rights but they would not acsep. them any terms.
Again it is ci.imcd ny the coppcrheads that after
recognizing the States out Of the Union, before
permitting their return, they by force Of this
measure, lapse into Territorial condition and organ
izc Government for re-adn's-son into the Union.
Most of our greet it as the antagonism Of
this idea, wholly adverse the proposition Of Mr..
Sumner this point No other view the last can
Be maintained. The President from the first, has been
unwilling to see State organizations subvsrted and in
this Proclamation, he aheres the idea that the laws
and the constitution of the rebeous States exist in
abey,ncs and only await opportunity to be in
ton. By the language of the Proclamation, this is
made certain. He recognizes State organization by
such expressions the foIlowing;-" "Reinaugurae
loyal State Governments within and for their respect
i've Sta.es,' Whenever in of the States of Arkan
sas Texas" &c, n such State" "such shall be recog
mixed the true Government of the State, and tho
State shall receive, &C., I'm constructing loyal State
Government in any STATE" &C., DC. Surely these
pressions other States than States Of the
United States that only awai, loyal organizatoa
contradistingsIcd from that Of di,oy organisation
and which organization would take place toe elsc-
of officers, and the enforcement of those Laws,
sting when they active participants in the bene
fits Of the Union There is nothing in the Presidents
plan requiring the abrogation Of old laws eoastt-
tiona provisions There is but allegiance the part
of citizens required and the forfeiture Of penalty
for their crime slave property Their constitution
. and Laws no; chang-i nor is this asked. Those
provisions b. which they held shares, would remain,
bat remain dead letter." unless the way could be
opened for the importation Of persons Slaves not
freed BY the Proclamation For nstancs Nississip-
pi should reorganize proposed, there il nothing to
prevent her purchasing all the slaves in Kentucky and
enslavng them again under the laws and constitution
of this rrbeous State, existing prior secession
The Pressden. only demands that such persons As
he has mrde free, theF, (rebels shall obiig.te them
selves continue free, but he exacss oath from
them not 70 esiave persons Affected BY his Proc
la1a.ion, fer instance, the slaves Of Ken:uckv-
Congress has power 10 prevent, is true the migra-
ton and importation" Of slaves and the latter has
bcen done bat uzth ";zraton- is prohibited, border
State slaves, may be held in rsorganized seceded
States.
Instead Of ignoring State organization the Presdens
expressly directs them se name Of the S.Ase ths
boundary, the subdivisions the constitution, the gen
T eral c<s4e Of Il L. dat affneh