The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-03-01
President Lincoln's Plan.

Every charge ofusurpation brought against
President Johnson because of the policy pur-
sued by him IN seeking the complete restora-
ton OF the late insurrectionary states to their
original relations to the federal union, pas
ses over him and falls on Mr.. Lincoln with
tenfold weight. If Mr.. Johnson merits i'm
parchment for usurpation of unconstitutional
powers because of his policy, then the mem
ory of Mr.. Lincoln deserves to be attainted,
and his name cast out with dishonor
The committee on state and federal rela-
tions in the legislature of Mississippi, in
their report made last week upon plan of
restoration of the late rebel states to their
political rights in the Union, recite the steps
which Mississippi had taken in order to place
herselfin harmonious relations with the Union.
In the course of this recital they refer to Mr.
Lincoln's proclamation of December 8th,
1863, in which he prescribes the conditions
upon which loyal state governments may be
re-established in the insurrectionary states.
They quote from that proclamation the fol-
lowing portion
do further proclaim, declare, &C., that when
ever IN any OF the states of Arkansas, Texas
Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, &C.
&C., number of persons, not less than one-tenth
in number, of the votes cast in each state at the
presidential election of the year of our Lord 1860
each having taken the oath aforesaid, and not
having since violated 1t, and being qualified vo-
ter by the election l1ws of the state existing i'm
mediately before the so-caled act of secession and
excluding all others, shall re-establish a state
government, which shall be republican, and in
no wise contravenng said oath-such shall be re-
cognlZed as the true government of the state and
the state shall receive Hereunder the benefits of
the constitutional provision which declares that
all ra.,tao To
In the Union republican form of government
&C., d., and L do further proclaim, declare and
make known, that any provision which may be
adopted by such state governments in relation to
the freed people of such state, which shall recog-
nIze and declare their permanent freedom, pro
vide for their education-and which NAV vet be
consistent, as q temporary arrangement With their
present. condition as laboring, iandless and home
less class, viii not be objected to by the exeeu-
tive.
The oath prescribed by Mr.. Lincoln differs
essentially from those that radicals of super
lative patriotism now prescribe.
Here it is:
/, -, do soemnly swear in the presence
of Almighty God that I will henceforIh faith
fully support, protect and defend the constitution
of the United States, and the Union of the states
thereunder, and that will in like manner, abide
by, and faithfully support all acts of congress
formed during the existing rebellion with refer
ence to slaves, far and so long as not repealed
modified or held void by congress or by decision
of the supreme court and that will in like man
abide by, and faithfully support all proclama-
tons of the President made during the existing
rebellion having reference to slaves, far and sc
long as not modified or declared void by decision
of the supreme court, &c.
Mr.. Lincoln distinctly stated his purpose
in the following language:
This proclamation is intended to present to tn,
people of the states, wherein the national author
| ty has been suspended, and loyal state govern
| ments have been subvcrted, mode in and by
which the national authority and loyal state gov
! ernments may be re-established within said states
And there he exhibited a liberty of spiri
in remarkable contrast with the temper O
the radical fanatics and bigots who swear b,
the name of Lincoln and build monument.
in his honor, in the following words:
And while the mode presented is the best tn,
| executive can suggest, with his present impress
sions, it must not be understood that no othe
possible mode would be acceptable.
Strange words those would be in th,
mouths of progressive radicals" who would
doubt their own bogus '9oyalty'' if they daret