The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-01-06

II Is curious misapplication OF terms
that has gained for Mr. Lincoln The soubsi-
quet OF 'Honestn The most palpable trait
in his character is a proneness for decep-
ton andan aptitude to make his point by
eircuiious path. His message and proca-
nations resemble more he special plead
ing ofan illIierate peitifogger than the off
cial productions of statesman. Mr.. Lin
coin was aware that a proclamation of the
Executive purporting the wholesale dis
franchisement of citizens and the disruption
OF State Governments, would be an absur-
diy in its very title Having determined
10 ISSUE his edict to that effect he gives il
The appellaiion of Proclamation OF Am.
nesty, and having in the frs, few sentences
disposed OF the amnesty preiext By impos-
| ing conditions which no Sou,herner could
possibly accept, he proceeds to develop
the real intention OF the document, and re-
yeals the treacherous plan by which ne
proposes 10 place The Government of the
seeded States in the hands OF his retainers
and al the same time enable his armies TO
select the next Presidential electors.
If The President, by proclamation, can
coniiEe the exercise of the elective fran
chise to one tenth of the population OF
Stale, Why, by The same power, may he
; not reduce the ratio TO one-tweniieth, or
one hundrelh, or one ihousandlh part a.
Why not, in fact, give to one man The ex-
elusive privilege of deposiling his ballot,
making that single voice determine what
shall be the constitution and the law of the
State in question il is difficult to under
stand by what process of reasoning an Exc
culive officer can fix, by mere violation,
upon given number of votes as sufficient
TO control the machinery OF State Govern
men,. II is simply by an arbitrary exercise
OF his will that Mr.. Lincoln has made the
proportion one>tenth he might with equal
propreiy have selected another figure, and
the shallow arti6ce OF decimation might as
well have been dispensed with, and the po-
Iilical machinery OF The States passed over al
once 10 his Major Generals, 10 be remodel
ed al his dicalion.
The Constitution OF This Republic gives
to the Executive no authority, directly or
by implication, 10 iamper with The elective
systems of the States. In fact, tho procia-
nations that have gone forth. SO far as their
validity IS concerned, might as we'll have
been issued by foreign poIentate. The
Presiden; has "power 10 grant reprieyes
and psrdons for offenses against the United
States" and Tor that purpose a proclama
ton has the force of law. But when il goes
beyoEd this and seeks 10 control a social or
political system, TO abrogaIe laws, 10 destroy
institutions, 10 dictate the manner in which
State Constitutions shall. be changed or re-
mclded, il enters into a sphere lha, is for
hidden even 10 Congress, and that has news
er heretofore been irespassed upon by any
o. the branches OF the Federal Government
In making il The duty of the President to
erecommend 10 the consideration OF Con-
gress, ''such measures as be sha.l Judge
Necessary and expedieni, the Constitution
implies that such measures shall not be car
ried into effec; upon mis- own res sponsibility
II the emergency admits O. no delay, there
is still neither reason nor legality for his
action according 10 his own discretion; for
she may, on extraordinary occasions, con-
yene both houses, or either of them" In
the face Of these plain indications Of his du-
ty, Dir. Lincoln, while Congress is in ses-
sion. and prepared 10 consider hisrecommen-
dations, issues a Proclamation watch ei-
lects the very essence of State Government,
and which, il permitted 10 act as prece.
dent OF what powers President may as
sumo, viii enthrone the Executive above
the Constitution, and cloihe him with an
absolute authority. This "hones,n man,
and frank, Straightforward President is
crafty enough to disguise his proclamalions,
in he first place with false titles and then
with obscure diciion, so that The people
may not be too suddenly impressed with
their significance; but unless the masses
have lost their Judgment in the excitement
OF civil strife, by This lime they must have
learned that they have been betrayed by
their Executive, and no longer live in Re
public.