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

the places, which otherwise must be file,
with SO many white men. So far as teste,
il Is difficult to say that they are not a
good soldiers as any. No seryile insur
rection or tendency to violence or cruelt'
has marked the measures Of emancipation
and among the blacks these measure
have been much discussed in foreign
countries. Contemporary with such dis
cussion the tone Of public sentiment there
10 much improved. At home The SANE
measures have been fully discussed, sup
ported, criticized, and denounced aul
the annual elections following are highly
encouraging to those whose o!Hciai dctJ
it is to bear the country through thi.
great trial.
Thus we have the new reckoning. The
crisis which threatened to divide the
friends of the Union Is past.
Looking now to the present and future,
and with reference to the resumption Of
she national authority within the States
wherein that authority has been suspen-
ded, have thought fit to issue a procla-
nation, a copy Of which is herewith
transmitted. On examination Of this
proclamation it will appear as is believed
that nothing is attempted beyond What Is
amply justified by the Constitution. True,
the form of an oath is given, but no man
is forced to take it. A man is oDly prom
ised pardon in case ho voluntarily takes
the oath. The constitution authorizes
the Executive to grant or withhold the
pardon at his own absolute discretion,
and thus includes the power to grant on
terms as is fully established by Judicial
and other authorities.
1t is also profered that if in any OF the
States named, State Government shall
be in the mode prescribed set up, such
government shall be recognized and guar
antied by the United States, and that
under it the State shall, on the constitu-
tional conditions be protected against in.
yason ana domestic violence.
The Constitutional obligation OF the
United States to guarantee TO every State
in the Union a republican form Of gov
ernmert aud to protect the State in the
cases stated, is explicit and full. But
why tender the benefits Of this provision
only to State Government set up IN this
particular way? This section Of the con-
stitution contemplates a case wherein the
element within State favorable to Re-
publican Government 10 the Union, may
be too feeble for an opposite and hostile
element, external to aud even within the
State; and such are the cases with which
we are now dealing.
An attempt to guarantee and protect
revised State Government constructed in
whole or in preponderating part FROM the
very element against whose hostility and
violence it is to be protected, is simply
absurd. There must be a test by which
TO separate the opposing clements SO as to
build only from the sound; and that test
is a sufficiently liberal one, which accepts
as sound, whoever will make sworn re-
cantation Of his former uusounduess.
But if it be proper to require as a test
of admission to the politica, body an oath
of allegiance to the Constitution Of the
United States, and to the Union under 1t,
why net also to the laws and proclama-
fions in regard to slavery? Those laws
and prociamations were enacted and put
terth for the purpose OF aiding 10 the
suppression Of the rebellion. To give
ahem their fullest effect there had to be
a pledge for their maintenance. In my
Judgment they have aided and Will fur
iher aid the cause for which they were
enlisted.
Nor shall I return to slavery any per
son who is free by the terms Of the Proc.
famation or by any act of Congress.
For these aud other reasons, it is tho't
hest that the support of these resources
Anall be included in the oath, and it is
.Lclieved the Executive may lawfully
claim it in return for pardon and restora-
ton Of projected rights which he has clear
constitutional power to withhold alto
ether or grant upon the terms which he
> raIl deem wisest for the public interest.
TO give up this principle would be rot
O1ly to reIinquish lever Of power bat
ponld also be q cruel aud astounding
|. Zach of faith. I may add at this point
at while [ remain in my present posi-
ti..n. shall not at tempt to repeat or mod
" the Emancipation Proclamation.
It should be observed also, that this
r.rt of the oath is sue; ect to the modify
and abrogating power of legislation,
al supreme judicial decision.
The proposed acquiescenso of the Ma,
u nal Executive in any reasonable and
t-.oporary state arrangement for tre freed
l.. pie, is made with the view Of possibly
r,olifyiDg the confusion and destituti on
aich must at best attend all classes b
!. ,otal revolution Of labor throughout
ole States. tt hoped that the already