The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-04-27
state Of Maine.
THE PEACE PROCLAMATION.

Ing that civil war has ended, is certainly very
agr eeablc news, and no one can doubt ms a"-
tn rity to 50 proclaim. We are very mneh
gr,,iiei to learn that peace, peace IN It's iuii'
cst and best sense, peace that shall Tor ages en-
dn.e. now reigns in those parts Oi the country
lately in rebellion. II is not our purpose to
now inquire whether Mr.. Johnson's peace
which he declares to exist, is real or delusive,
or whether the measures undertaken by him
haze tendency to encourage or discourage
that order that should reign in Warsaw. But
We are painfully impressed with the manner
and tone Of that proclamation.
Mr.. Johnsonallows no opportunity to escape,
even in his State papers, either openly or GOV.
ertly Ia assail all those who do not accept and
support" my policy" Us the utiuatum upon
tn question Of reconstruction. lie Tugs into
his paper mass OF eStraneous matter that has
only u forced connection with tho legitimate
obsct OF the document. lie writes that Con.
grrss at the early stage OF the war passed reso.
lutions that "the war was waged on our part
only to preserve the rights and equality of the
Sites unimpared," &c, &c. These rccitals are
verities, truths which none Of us arc not now
willing To adopt. But with the cunning
Of the professional politician he seeks
this To- bring support to his DISASTROUS policy
in urging the radmiSsion Of uureconstructed
rebels into the Halls Of our national legislation.
He carefully conceals the fact that as Presi
d"us he has himself ignored the basis of thosc
resOlutiOns; that circumstances since 1851 hayc
changed; that what tho nation would have
conceded in the first stage Of tho war to have
prevented the elItIsiOu Of blood, does not neces
saIily bind il TO now conccde. The President
understands this rs well ~ any other man. H.
1t was who overthrow rebel State governments !;
he It was who pronounced the inhabitants of
thusc States provincials; and he it was who
told them what they must endorse AMI what
they must condemn. do not rccita these
acts OF MIR. johnson, unwarranted hy any 9th
Or plea than thatputforthh by CorgreS nation
nj security AMI welfare, TO condemn him, but
to show his present untenablc position.
Tho "unimpairrd dignity, equality and
riGhts".of thoss eleven rccrcant States existing
ut The time thOss resolutions were passed, d.
not now exist, in consequence oi the action oi
the President. The question win now arise,
WY does he refer To them at this time 10 ius,i.
iy his proclamation We can conceive M
other reason than his, in manner vastly un.
worthy tho high position he hold, seeking by
small pettiioging way, TO throw dust into
thceyeso fthc people. and make it appear that
Congress is acting inconsistent with itself.
while he alone is the receptacle Of statesman.
ship, sobriety and integrity.
Mr.. johnson states that the suspension Of
the habcas corpus writ &C., "should not BE-
sanctioned or allowed except in cases of actual
necessity for rcpellng invasion or supprcssing
instruction or rebellion" We all believe in
thdt without any mental reservation. But il
peace everywhere exists and the laws are every.
where enforced, why does he do these things
which he says "shOud not be sanctioned or
allowed?' The habcas corpus is not fully re-
stored, military occupation has not ended, and
Gen. Grant finds il necessary to command Gen.
Foster to in,crposc his authority in Florida for
the protection OF loyal men. The Peace Pro-
ela,nation is called for or uncalled for II the
former, we are unable to reconcile "the situa.
ton"
Among his many whcreases" with which
he has loaded his State paper the Presiden,
makes this announcement
In the several States named Tho laws can
b. enforced by the proper civil authority State
OF Federal, and the people Of said States are
well and loyalty disposed, and have conformed,
or rciN conform in their legislation to the con-
di,'on Of affairs growing out Of the antislavery
amendment.
This is simply the ipse DIRT Of ono man, un.
accompanied by proof. Mr.. johnson does no,
sny that the laws are properly enforced in any
ona OF those States, nor does he say that they
have couiormed to the condition OF affairs, bat
he asserts that they ,riH conform. II the pro-
priety Of the proclamation rests upon this
whereas, manifestly il is unwarranted.
With one more look ut Mr.. Johnson's paper
VIC, "let II slide" What he means by stating
that "the Constitution provides for constitu.
tioual communities only as States, and not as
territories, dependencies, provinces, or protect
ora,es." is more than we can comprehend. Are
there no unorganized territories occupied by
Indians belonging to the United States. which
n IL 2. Al n