The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-12-27
Is the Government Bound to Keep Faith only
With Negroes

| eHaDCi CipallOu OF VIC DOutueiu hoSio0e5 10,
that the goYerumeni is bound 10 keep the
| faith plighled to them in President Llncoln's
proclamation We have heard this argu-
ment from President Lincoln himself, from
Chief Justice Chase, from distinguished
members of both Houses of Congress, and
from numerous publicists on both sides OF
( the Atlantic. The Constitutional amend
menl and great mass of congressional legls-
lalon have been advocated on the ground
that they were demanded by the fulfllment
of that pledge, which could not be violated
without national disgrace.
Let us accept the argument aid apply IT
10 parallel case.
About year subsequent to the Emanci-
patton Proclamation, President Lincoln
made another proclamation, addressed, not
to the collective negro population, but to The
collective white population OF The rebellious
States. # an executive proclamation can
bind the nation faith when addressed TO men
with black skins, il must bind ii when ad-
dressed 10 men with white skins; pale
ness of complexion having no power 10 re-
lease the obligations OF faith and honor. 1t
President Lincoln's emancipation promises
are binding, his amnesty promises are
equally binding No question can be rais-
ed as 10 his exceeding his authority in the
latter, which is not at least equally pertinent
in respect TO the former. II Congress did
not authorize the promise made in the one
proclamation, they just as lille authorized
the other. If judged by the Constitution,
the Reconstruction Proclamation would
stand the test great deal better than the
Emancipation Proclamation for no author
lily is conferred By the onstiluiion 10 liber-
ate slaves, but The title OF every State to
representation in Congress is clearly assert
ed. In the Emancipation Proclamation,
President Lincoln took the risk. as he after
ward in public documents repeatedly ac-
knowledged. OF its being set aside by Con-
gress or The Supreme Court. Bot in the
Amnesty Proclamation, ne was on the sure
footing of the Constitution, and never made
any such concession. The Amnesty Proc
lamation was therefore more defensible in
law, and Ii equally binds the public faith.
unless we adopt the whimsical doctrine that
a promise made to white people is of no
/ moral obligation OF binding force.
The essential condition of the Amnesty
Proclamation is the !akiH. OF al oaIh OF al
Iegiance TO the United States. Ii also pre-
/ sented plan oil reconstruction, bul express
ly left the door open 10 other methods In
the annual Message which this Proclama-
ton accompanied, Mr.. Lincoln said: "By
the Proclamation plan is presented which
may be accepted by them as ralying
point, and which they are assured in ad-
vance will not be rejected here. This may
bring them to act sooner than they other
wise would" And in the proclamation IL
self be said "And | further proclaim, de-
clare, and make known, that whenever in
any of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Lou
isiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama.
Georgia, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina,
and North Carolina" the persons taking the
oath of allegiance "shall reeslablsh a
Slate government that shall be republican,
and in nowise conravening said oath, such
government shall be recognized as the true
government of the State, and be entitled 10
:he benefits of the constitutional provision
which declares that the United States shall
guarantee TO every Slate in this Union q re
publican form OF government"
Here is plain, distinct, unequivocal
promise; as plain, distinct, aud solemn as
that made 10 The negroes ia The Emancipa
ton proclamation. Will some anil res,J!a-
tionisl Tell US why il does not equally bind
the public faith ! So far as The authority Of
the Executive goes. it most certainly does J;
and ten arguments can easily be produced
TO show that the emancipation promise ex-
ceeded that authority for one TO provo that
this does. Is The public faith 10 be kept,
then, only with negroes? Is the national
honor a mockery and shadow the moment
a question arises OF satisfying expectations
raised by solemn act of the government
il the breasts of white men An. Y. Nc,os.