Year: 1863

Ihuuo maturing tueSe lbTRely III OTuer 10
their being reclaimed and rendered Gt for
cultivation-the grant to railroad COM
paDies OF alternate sections OF land upon
the contemplated lines OF their road when
completed, will also largely multiply the
it from within their own limits. OF those
who were slaves at the beginning OF the
rebellion full one hundred thousand are
now in the United States military SER
vice, about one half Of which number act
ually bear arms in the ranks, thus giving
the double advantage Of taking so much
labor from the insurgent cause, and sup
plying the places, which otherwise must
be filled. with SO many white men.


SO far as tested, it is difficult to say
that they are not as good soldiers as any.
No servile insurrection, or tendency to
violence or cruelty has marked the meas
ures Of emancipation, or arming the
blacks. These measures have been much
discussed in foreign countries, and con.
temporary with such discussion the tone
Of public sentiment there is much improv-
ed. AT home the same measures have
been fully discussed, supported, criticis-
ed denounced, and the annual elections
following are highly encouraging to those
whose special duty it is to pilot the coun-
try through this great trial. Thus we
have the reckoning. The crisis which
threatened to divide the friends of the
Union is past. Looking now to the pres
ent and future. and with reference to a
resumption OF the National authority
having been suspended, l have thought
fit to issue a proclamation, copy of
which is herewith transmitted. On ex-
animation of this proclamation it will
appear. as is believed, amply justified by
the Constitution. True, the form Of an
oath is given, but no man is coerced to
take it. A man is only promised par
don in case he voluntarily lakes the oath.
The Constitution authorizes the Exccu-
tive to grant it on these terms, as if fully
established by judicial and other authori-
ties. 1t is also proffered that If many Of
the States named a real government shall
he in the mode prescribed, set up, such
government shall be recognized and guar.
anteed by the United States, and that un-
der it the State shall on the constitutional
condition be protected against invasion
and domestic violence.


The constitutional obligations OF the
United States to guarantee to every State
in the Union, Republican form of Gov.
eminent, and to protect the State in the
cases stated is explicit and full; but why
tender the benefit of this provision onl,
to State Government set up in this par
ticular way? This section of the Consti
tuition contemplates case wherein tn
element within State favorable to Re


publican Government in the Union, ma
be too feeble for an opposite and hostil
!. element external to and even within tn
State, and such are precisely the case
with which we are now dealing. An at
tempt to guarantee and protect revised
State Government constructed in who'll
or in preponderating part from the very
element against whose hostility and vic
lence it is to be protected, is simply alb
surd. There must be test by which t.
separate opposing elements. SO as to builC
only from the sound, and that test is {
sufficiently liberal one which accepts al
sound whoever will make sworn recsn.
tation of his former unsoundness. Bu
if it be proper to require as test of ad
mission to the political body an oath o.
allegiance to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States and to the Union under it, VIII y
also to laws and proclamation in regard
to slavery? Those laws and proclama.
tions were enacted and put forth for the
purpose of aiding in the suppression oI
the rebellion. To give them their fulles,
effect, there had to be pledge for theil
maintenance. In my judgment they have
aided and will further aid the cause for
which they were enlisted. To give up
this principle would be not only to relin-
quish lever of power. but would also
be a cruel and astounding breach Of faith.


NO RETRACTIoN.


may add st this point. that while ]
remain in my present position | shall not
attempt to retract or modify the Emanci
patton Proclamation, nor shall l return
to slavery any person who is free by the
terms of the Proclamation, or by
any act OF Congress. For these and
other reasons it is thought best that
the support of sons shall be in
cluded in the oath = and it is be-
lieved that the Executive may law
fully claim it in return tor pardon and
restoration of protected rights which he
has clear constitutional power to withhold
altogether, or grant upon the terms which
we shall deem wisest for the public inter
est. 1t should be obserAed that this part
of the oath is subject to the modifying
and abrogating power of the Legislation
and supreme and judicial decision. Th'
proposed scquiescence of the Natiana
Executive in any honorable temporar.
State arrangement for the freed people.
is made with the view of possibly mcdi
flying the confusion and destitution whicl
must attend all classes by total revolu
ton of labor throughout whole Ststes.-
1t is hoped that the already deeply affiic
ted people in those States may be some
what more ready to give up the cause O
their affliction, and to this extent, thi
vital matter is left to them selves
while no power of the National Execu
tive to prevent an abuse is abridged b.
the proposition. The suggestion in IL
Proclamation as to maintaining the poll
ical framework of the States. or what


called reconstruction, is made in the hoI
that it may do good without the dang
of harm. 1t will save labor and avo


great confusion, but why any proclam'
- II