Year: 1863

as NO ScrNlle lnSurfectlOn or lenucuCy W
and cruelty has marked the measures OF
emancipation and arming the blacks. These
have been discussed in foreign coun-
tries, and cotemporaneously with such discus
sion the tone of public sentiment there is much
improved At home the same measures have
been fully discussed, supported, criticized and
denounced, and the annual elections following
are highly Encouraging to those whose duty 1t
is to bear the country through this great trial.
We have the reckoning. This crisis which
to divide the friends of the Union is
past.


RECONSTRUCTION.


Upon this, the most important subject Of all,
considering . the situation," the President
dwels at length and proposes plan by procla-
nation. The gist Of his argument may be thus
stated. The Union is to be reconstructed with
reference to the present and future constitutional
Of the United States to guarantee to
every State in the Union republican form of
Government, and to protect the State in the cases
stated is explicit and full. An attempt to guar
antee and protect a 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 alb
surd. There must be test by which to seper-
ate opposing elements, so as to build only from
the sound and that test is sufficiently liberal
one which accepts as sound whoever will make



But if it be proper to require as n test of admis
slim tirv Pufitiorl body, oath of allegiance
to the Constitution of the United States and the
laws under it, why not also to laws and proclama-
tons in regard to slavery This proclamation has
aided vastly in the suppression Of the rebellion,
and the laws in reference to slavery the country is
pledged to maintain. To give up this principle
would not only be abandoning Il lever of great
power, but would also be a cruel and astounding
breach of faith. He will not retract the procla-
nation or modify it either, nor will he return to
slavery any person made free by the terms of
that document. For :hese and other reasons it
is thought best that the support of these persons
shall be included in the OATH and it is believed
the Executive may lawfully claim it in return for
pardon and restoration of political rights, which
he has clear constitutional power to withhold
altogether, or grant upon the terms which he
shall deem wisest for the public interest. On
saying that on certain terms certain classes will
be pardoncd with their rights restored, it is not
said that other classes on other terms, will ever
be included. In saying reconstruction will be
accepted if presented in a specified way, it is not
said it will ever be accepted in any other way
In the midst of other cares, however important,
we must not lose sight of the fact that the war
power is still our main reliance. To that power
alone can we look yet for time, to give conf
dcnce to the people in contested regions that the
insurgent power will not again overrun them
Until that confidence shall be established, little
can be done there for what is called reconstruc-
ton hence our chief care must still be directed
to our army and navy who have thus far borne
their harder part nobly and well. And it may
be esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest
efficiency to these indispensable arms, we also
honoraby encourage gallant men, from com
mander to sentinel who uphold and to whom
more than all others, the world stands indebted
for having disenthrallcd, rcgeneratcd, enlarged
and perpetuated the home Of freedom.


THE PLAN.


In the proclamation appended to the message,
and dated Washington December 8th, he sets
forth the fact, that under the Constitution the
President has power to pardon for all offcnscs
except in cases Of impeachment and that in
the coniscation and slave liberatng laws Con-
gress authorized him to extend to rebels pardon
or amnesty upon such conditions as he might
deem proper; and as some, heretofore engaged
IN rebellion, desire to resume their allegiance to
the United States Government and reinaugurate
State Governments, therefore he procams to all
persons, with certain exceptions, who have been
or are now in rebellion against the consti-
tutlonal or lawful Government of the United
states, that he will grant them a full pardon
with restoration Of all their rights if third par
ties shall not have intervened, upon the condi-
ton that they take and subscribe and keep in
violate, the following oath


" do solemnly swear in presence of Almighty
God, that will henceforth faithfully support
protect and defend the Constitution of the United
states, and the Union of States hereunder, and
that VIII in like, manner abide by and faithfully
support all acts of Congress passed during the
existing rebellion with reference to slaves so long
ana so far as not modified, or repealed. or held
VOID by Congress or by decision of the Supreme
Court, and that will in like manner abide bv
ana ialthtully support all procamations of the
president made during the existing rebellion
naVlng reference to slaves, so long aud so
iar as not modified or declared void by decision
OF the supreme Court; so help me God p


Those excepted from this offer of pardon are
all who are, or shall have been civil or diplomat
ic officers or agents of the so-caled Confederate
Government; all who have left judicial stations
under the United States to aid the rebellion all
who are, or shall have been military or naval
officers OF or above the rank of Colonel in the
army, or Lieutenant in the navy all who left
seats in the United States Congress to aid in re-
bellion all who resigned their commissions in
the army and navy of the United States and of.
forwards aided the rebellion and all who have
engaged IN any way in treating coored persons
white persons in charpn of en,L