The national Republican., 1867-01-09
Amnesty Proclamation of Abra-
ham Lincoln, Dec. 8, 1868.
His Interpretation Of 90 suaicisntIy
LIBERAL Test.' e. -
II, Deelarss Hid Sound Whs win xsks aswan
Rssaniatisa q Nh Former Unsoundnsn."

For the purpose OF record and reference
we-reproduce from the NATIONAL Rrrup-
uo4sfof Deyember, 1e63, brief extract
from the annual message Of ABRAHAM LIN
coLS, delivered to Congress on the 9Th Of
that month, relating to his amnesty procls-
nation Of the same date, which accompanied
the message, and an extract from the procla-
nation. Many excellent gentlemen who i'd
mired ABRAHAx LINCOLN when he was living
have forgotten his patriotic councils now
that he Is dead, and in the hour Of madness
are running counter to them. We do not
quote them for the benefit Of the -distin-
guished Senator who once publicly de-
nounced ABRAHAM LINCOLN as "usurper,"
but for the thoughtful consideration Of those
who respected him while living and who re-
we're bis memory now that he is dead. 5s.
The following is an extract Of Mr.. LIs-
coins message Of December, 1863, wherein
he refers 10 the amnesty proclamation which
4 he submits with it,: 90 Hf
Looking now to the present and future,
and with reference TO . resumption OF the
national authority within the States wherein
that authority has been suspended, have
thought ft to issue q proclamation, copy
Of which is herewith transmitted. On exam
ination OF this proclamation II will appear,
as is believed, that nothing is attempted be-
yond what is amply justified by the Consti-
tuition. True, the form Of an oath Is given,
but no man is coerced TO take IL. The man
| is only promised pardon in case he yolun-
tarily takes the oath The Constitution au-
thorizes the Executive TO grant or withhold
the pardon at his own absolute discretion;
and this includes the power to grant on
terms, as is fully established by Judicial and
other authorities.
It is also proffered that il, in any Of the
States named, State government shall be,
in the mode prescribed, set up, such gov
ernment shall be recognized and guaranteed
by the United States, and that under II the
State shall, on the constitutional conditions,
be protected against invasion and domestic
violence. The constitutional obligation Of
the United States to guaranty to every State
in the Union republican form OF govern
ment, and to protect the State, in the cases
stated, is explicit and full. But why tender
the benefits Of this provision only 10 State
government set up in this particular way
This section Of the Constitution contemplates
q case wherein the element within State,
favorable 10 republican government in the
Union, may be too feeble for an opposite and
hostile element external to, or even within
the State; and such are precisely the cases
with which we are now dealing.
An attempt to guaranty and protect o re-
viyed State government, constructed in whole
or in preponderating part, from the very ele-
ment against whose hostility and violence II
is TO be protected, is simply absurd. There
must be a test by which to separate the op-
posing elements, so as to build only from the
sound; and that test Is q sufficiently liberal
one, t0hich accepts as sound Uhoever DiH
make a stOorn recantation Of has former un-
soundness.
The important portions of the proclama-
ton referred to by Mr.. LINCOLN in the e1-
tract Of his message above, is as follows.
We ask the special attention Of our national
legislators TO its provisions:
!, Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
United States, do proclaim, declare, and
make known to all persons who have, directly
or by implication, participated in the exist
ing rebellion, except as hereinafter excepted,
that full pardon is hereby granted to them
and each Of them, with restoration OF all
rights Of property, except as to slaves, and
in property cases where rights Of third par
ties shall have interyened, and upon the con-
dition that every such person shall take and
subscribe an oath, and thenceforward keep
and maintain said oath inyiolate; and which
shall be registered for permanent preserva-
tion, and shall be Of the tenor and effect fol-
lowing, to wit: 80, r-H
| "L --, do solsmnly swear, In presence Of
Almighty God, that will hsncsforth faithfully
support protset, and defend the Consultation Of the
United States, and the union Of the States there.
| undef and that will In lika ms ahida hv. pd
faithfuily support all acts Of Congress passed during
the existing rebellion with reference 10 slaves 90
long and 80 far n not repealed, modified or held
void By Congress. or BY deeision Of the Suprems
Court and that will, In like manner, abide BY
and faithfully support all proclAmations Of the
President made during the existing rebellion hav-
ing reference to slaves, SO long and so far not
modified or declared void by decision Of the su-
preme Court 30 help me God"
The persons excepted from the benefits Of
the foregoing provisions are all who are, or
shall have been, civil or diplomatic officers or
agents Of the socalled Confederate govern
ment; oil who have left judicial stations un-
der the United States to aid the rebellion !;
oil who are, or shall have been, military or
naval officers Of said so-called Confederate
government above the rank OF colonel In the
army, or Of lieutenant in the navy; all who
left seats in the United States Congress to
aid the rebellion all who resigned commits
sions in the army or navy Of the United
States, and afterwards aided the rebellion
| and all who have engaged in any way in
treating colored persons, or white persons in
charge OF such, otherwise than lawfully as
prisoners OF war, and which persons may
have been found in the United States SER
vice as soldiers, Seamen, or in any other ca
pacity.
And do further proclaim, declare, and
make known, that whenever, in any Of the
States Of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, and North Carolina, num-
Der Of persons, not less than one tenth in
number Of the votes cast in such State at the
Presidential election Of the year Of our Lord
1860, each having taken the oath aforesaid,
and not having since violated it, and being a
qualified voter by the election law of Me
State eristing Immediately before tie So
called act Of secession, and excluding oil
Others shall re-establish State government
which shall be republican, and in nowise con-
trayening said oath, such shall be recog.
nized as the true government Of The State,
and the State shall receive hereunder the
benefits Of the constitutional provision which
declares that "the United States shall guar.
anty to every State in this Union republi.
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