22
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1
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n u. jAcomr, fi&usher.
Truth and Right -Cod and oar Country.
Two Dollas per Annas.
fOLUME 15.
BLOOMS BURG. COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA., WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16, 1863.
NUMBER 8.
MJiLU ii iiiio
riLiaano STKST WIDHKSDAT IT
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TCIRD ASXCAL MESSAGE
or
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
. Fmideat of tie United Slates. '
asiDta coaoatss, wccnkboat, dec. 9, 1863.
Ftltoto Citixem of the Sennit and Haute of
fttpreseiaattvet : .
Another year of health and of sufficiently
. abuadaat hart est has paL For these and
spsciaily fur the improved condition of our
- national affairs, oor renewed and proiound
gratitude to God is due.
We remain in peace and friendship with
-foreign powers.
The. efforts of disloyal citizens of the
Uui ed States to involve us in foreign wars,
to aid in inexcusable insurrection, has been
unavailing. ' Her Britannic Majesty's Gov
ernment, as was jostly expected, have ex
ercised their i.uihoriir to prevent the de
tart ore of n-tw hostile expeditions from
ritisa ports. ! The Emperor of Fraoce has
" by a like proceeding promptly vindicated
' thM neutrality which he proclaimed at the
beginning of the con. est. Questions of great
" intricacy and importance have arisen out of
- the blockade und other belligerent opera
tions between the Government and several
of the mariiis e powers, bat they have been
discussed, and, solar as possible, accom-
roooated in a rtptrilol tfa'xiies, jam ice and j
mutual good varstl. It is epeei.;y!grettfy ;i
ing mat our rnze looris, Dy Tie impartial
ity of their adjudications have commanded
in e .respect, tuid confidence of maritime
powers.- ' : t
lhe sopplsmental treaty between the
LftUed biaie and Ureal Britain for the sup -
prension of the African slave trade, made
os lfce 17th day of February last, has been
duly ratified i.nd carried into execution
Il is believed, that so far as American potts
and American citizens are concerned, that
iubaman and barbarous traffic baa been
trough! to an end.
I shall submit tor the consideration of the
fecataa Convention for the adjustment of
poteesstry claims in Washington Territory,
arising out of the treaty of the l5:h of June,
1548 between the United States and Great
Britain, and which have been the source of
some disqaie: among the citizens of that ;
tow rapidly improving part of the country
A novel and important question, involv
ing the extern, of the maritime . jurisdiction
I Spain in ike waters which surround the
ialaad ot Cut a, has beea debated without
reaching any agreement, and it is proposed
ia an amicable spirit to reter it to the aroi
uament of a friendly power. A commu
nication for tiiat purpve will be submitted
to the senate,
I have thofj-ht it proper, subject to the i
approval of the Senate, to concur with the
t interested commercial powers in an ar- ,
ran ?e me at far the liquidation ol the Scheldt j
..does opoa the principles which have been !
Leretofore adopted in regard to the imports t
upon navigation in the waters of Denmark. '
'the long pending controversy between this
Government and that of Chili, toachiug the
'seizure at SJana, in Peru, by Chilian offi
cers, of a large amount in treasure belong
ing to citizeas of the United States, has
been brought to a close by the award of
. bis majesty,: lhe King of the Belgians, to
r whose arbitriuion the question was referred
-.. by the parties. Tbe subject was thorough
ly and patiently examined by that justly
respected mt.gistrj.ie; and although the sum
' awarded to' the claimants my not have
.Tteen ao largji as they expected, there is no
' reason to diitrnst the wisdom of his Majes-
jy's decisioq. , That decision was promptly
"-complied wjth by Chili when intelligence
' in regard to it reached that country.
The joint commission nnder the act nf the
c las. session lor carrying into effect the con
veiuioa with Pern on the subject of claims
- ban teen organized at Lima and La engaged
in ihe business entrusted to it.
D'tfcuhi(a concerning interoceanie tran
sit tnroagh Nicaragua are in course of ami-
cable adjus ment. In conformity with the
priacipies asl forth ia my last annual ones--:
sa;? I havo received a representative from
the United. States of Colombia and have
credited a aiinisier to that Republic.
Incldenta occurring in the progress of our
civil war have forced upon my attention
r the uncertain atale of international ques
'. lions touching the rights of foreigners in
ihb country, and of United States citizens
abioad, - Ia regard to some governments,
.Abte rights are, at least, partially defined
- . by treatissj; In no instance, however, it ia
expressly stipulated that in the event of
: civil war, a foreig&er residing in this court
. :.try.,'wi!tia - he lines of the insurgents, it to
be sxerrptsd from the rule which classes
hint as a belligerent, in whose behalf the
Government of bis country cannot express
v any privileges or immunities distinct from
that cbxraoer. I regret to say, however,
thai such claims have been put forward,
and, ta soma instances, in behalf oi foreign
. ers who bare lived in the United Slates the
greater patl.of their lives.,.,
-.v. There is reauon to believe that many per
, toj.a torn ia foreign countries, who have
. dcJare J their intentions to become citizens,
,r r,who have been fuMy naturalized,' have
evuded ths military duty required of them
; -,..13 denyinj; the fact,, and thereby throwing
, cp jt the (Jovernmeat the burden of proof,
it las beeg fouud difficult or impracticable
, to. obtain this proofs from the want of
' r,iii!s9 to Uie proper sources of information.
' b tse Vnisjit be supplied by reqairscg the
. ckr-s cf CsartSj where declarations of in
't3iU'?n cay be raade or naturalizations
cTi Cied, ti Bead periodically lists of the
rz itrsei of t!ie persona csturaiized or declar
ing tfcetr iatention of becoming citizens, to
jba L;ecrei3ry of the Ia:erior, in whose da
pjttriant th?sa names might be arrangsd
t ,d prir.isti for genera! information. There
is tiia reaicn to te'iave that foreigner fxs
; -' tiMoms citjzsas of the U. Stale for
i'-i f:Aa ptirpc39 cf evaiirs tha drtiea im
' :sz I by the laws cf their, native country,
ecorntns natsrauzsa oere,
turning to the United States, they still claim
the interposition ol this government as citi
zens. Many altercations and great preju
dices have heretofore ' arisen out of this
abuse. It is therefore submitted to your
serious consideration, ft might be advisa
ble to fix a limit beyond which do citizen
of the United Slates, residing abroad may
claim the interposition of his Government.
The right of suffrage has often besn assum
ed and exercised by aliens under pretences
of naturalization, which they have disavow
ed when drafted into the military service
I submit the expediency ot such an amend
ment of the lawa as will make the fact of
voting an estoppel against any plea of ex
emption from military service or otther civ
il obligations on the ground or alienage.
In common with other Western Powers
our relations with Japan have been brought
into serious jeopardy through the perverse
opposition of the hereditary aristocracy of
the empire to the enlightened and liberal
policy of the Tycoon, designed to bring the
country into the society of nations. It is
hoped, although not with entire confidence,
that these difficulties may be peaceably
overcome.
I ask your attention to the claim of the
minister residing there for the damages he
susisined in the destruction by firs of the
residence of the legation at Yeddo.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made
with the Emperor of Russia, which it is
believed will result in effecting a continu
ous line of telegraph through that Empire,
from our Pacific coast. I recommend to
your favorable consideration the subject of
an international telegraph across the Allan
tic Ocean, and also a telegraph between
this Capital and the national forts along the
Atlantic sea board and the Golf of Mexico.
Such communications established with any
reasonable outlay would be economical as
wed as effective aid to the diplomatic, miii
tary and naval service.
The consular system of the United States
under the enactraeuts of the last Congress
begins to be self-sustaining, and there is
reason to hope that it may become entirely
so with the increase of trade which will
ensue whenever peace is restored.
Our ministers abroad have been faithful
in defending American rights. In protect
ut oor commercial interests, our consols
have necessarily bad to encounter increas
ed labor and responsibilities, growing out
of the war. These '.her have,' for the most
part, met and discharged with zeal and effi
ciency. This acknowledgment justly in
cludes those Consuls who. residing in AIo-
i rocco, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, China, and
(other Oriental countries, are charged with
complex Junction and extraordinary pow
ers. The condition of the several organized
Territories is greatly satisfactory, although
the Indian disturbances in New Mexico
have not been entirely suppressed. The
mineral resources of Colorado, Nevada,
Idaho, New Mexico and Arizona are prov
ing far richer than has been heretofore
understood. I lay before you a communi
cation on this subject from the Governor oi
Sew Mexico 1 again submit to your con
sideration the expediency of establishing a
syatem for the encouragement of immigra
tion. Although . this source of national
wealth and strength is again flowing with
greater freedom than for several years be
loie the insurrection occurred, there is still
a treat deficiency of laborers in every field
ot industry, especially in agriculture and in
our mines, as well of iron and coal as of
tKa rFi.timia m sat a I at Whita ftS. ii -a m ti n
ttt v piwivnv ww eaw v- isw ut ij vat lav
Mop labor is thus increased here, tens of
thousands of persons, destitute ol rerauner-
ative occupation, are thronging our foreign
consulates, and offering to emigrate to the
United States, if essential , but very cheap
assistance can be afforded them, it is ea-
y to see that under the sharp discipline of
civil war, .the nation is beginning a new
life. This noble effort demands ihe aid,
and ought to receive the attention and sup
port, of the Government.
Injuries onforseen by the Government,
ad unintended, may in some cases have
been inflicted upon the subjects or citizens
of foreign countries, both on sea and on
land, by persons in the service of the Uni
ted Stales. As this Government expects re
dress lron other Powers when similar in
juries are inflicted by persons in their ser
vice opon citizens ot the United States, we
must be prepared to do justice to foreigners.
If the existing judicial tribunals are inade
quate for this purpose a special court may
be authorized, with power to bear and de
cide such claims of the character referred to
a may have arisen under treaties and the
pubhe law. Conventions for adjusting the
claims by joint commission have been pro
posed to some Governments, but no definite
answer to the proposition has yet been re
ceived from any.
In the coarse of the session I shall proba
bly have occasion to request yon to pro
vide indemnification to claimants where
decrees ol restitution have been rendered
and damages awarded by the Admiralty
Courts. ' And in other cases, where this
Government may be acknowledged to be
liable in principle, and when the amount of
that liability baa been ascertained by an in
formal arbitration, the proper officers of the
Treasury have deemed themselves required
by the law of the United States upon the
subject to demand a tax upon the incomes
of toreign Consuls in this country. While
such ademaud may not, in strictness, be a
derogation of . public law, or," perhaps, of
any existing treaty between the United
.States and a foreign coantry, the expedien
cy of so far modifying the act as to exempt
from tax the income of sach Consols as are
not citizens of the United Slates, derived
from the emoluments of their office, or from
property not situated in the United States,
is submitted to your serious consideration.
I make the suggestion upon the ground that
a comity, which ought to be reciprocated,
exempts oor Consuls in all other countries
from taxation. To the extent thus indica
ted, the United Slates, I think, ought not to
be 'exceptionally illiberal to international
trade and commerce. ;
- The operations of the Treasury daring the
last year have been successfully conducted.
The enactment by Congress ot a National
Banking law has proved a valuable support
of the public credit, and the general legisla
tion in relation to loans has tally answered
the expectations ot . its favorers. Some
amendments may be required to perfect ex
isting laws, bnt no change in their princi
ples or genera! scope is believed to be need
ed. -- ;
Since these mea'ores have been in opera
tion alt demands on the Treasury, including
the pay cf the army and'oavy, have bean
promptly met and fully satisfied. "No. con
siderable body cf irsops, it ia believed, wera
evsr more amply providsd and more liber
ally esd pancisISy psid, and it may be ad
ded that by no psopSa wera the bcrdess ia-
cident to a great war ever more cheerfully
. borne.
( The receipts during the year from all
sources, including loans and the balance in
the Treasury at its commencement, were
$901,125,674 86 the aggregate disburs
raents, 8895,793,630 65, leaving a balance
on the 1st of July, 1863, ol 532, 904,421.
Ol the receipts, there were derived from
Cuslomn,S69,059,642 40. From Internal rev
enue, S37, 640,787 95. From direct Taxes,
$1,485, 103,61. From Lands, SI67.617 17
From miscellaneous sources, 8301,661,535,
and from Loans, $776, 682, 361 67, making
the aggregate $901, 125, 674 8.
Oi the disbursements there were for the
civil service, $93 253, 922; for pensions, In
dians, &c, $4, 216, 520 59 ; for interest on
&ublic debt, $24, 729, 846 51 ; for the War
epartrceat, $599, 298.600 83; for the Navy
Department, $63, 211, 105 27 ; for payment
of funded and temporary debt, $181, 086,
635, 07, making the aggregate $895,796
639 65 and leaving the balance of $5,329,
044 21.
But the payments of the funded and tem
porary debt having been made from mon
eys borrowed during the year, must be re
garded as merely nominal payments,, and
the moneys borrowed to make them as
merely nominal receipts, and their amount,
$18, 108, 663, 507, should, therefore, be de
ducted both from the receipts and disburse
ments. .
This being done, there remains as actual
receipts $720, 039, 039 79. and the actual
disbursements $714,709, 995 58, leaving the
balance as already stated.
The actual receipts and disbursements Jor
the first quarter, and the estimated receipts
and disbursements for the remaining three
quarters cf the current fiscal year of 1864,
will be shown in detail by the report of the
Secretary of ihe Treasury 3 to which I invite
your attention.
It is sutncient to say here that it is not
believed that the actual results will exhibit
a state of the finances less favorable to the
conntrv than the aatiraataa of that oflicer
heretofore submitted, while it is confidently
expected that at the close of the year
both disbursements and debts will be found
very considerably less than has beau antici
pated. The report of the Secretary of War is a
document of great interest It consists of
First The military operationsof tne year,
detailed io the report oi the General-iu-Chief.
' . .
Second The organization ot colored per
sons into the war service.
Third The exchange of prisoners Tully
set forth in the letter of Gen. Hitchcock.
FourfA The operations under the act for
enrolling and calling out the national forces
detailed in the report ol the Provost Marshal
General. t
Fifth The organization of the Invalid
Corps, and
Sixth The operation of the several de
partments ot the Quartermaster General,
Commissary General, Paymaster General,
Chiel ol Engineers, Chief of Ordinance, and
Surgeon General.
It has appeared impossible to make a re
liable summary of this report, except sach
as .would be loo extended for this place, and
hence I content myself by asking your at
tention to the report itselt.
The duties devolving on the naval branch
of the service daring the year, and through
not the whole ot this unhappy content, have
been discharged with fidelity and eminent
success.
The extensive blockade has been con
stantly increasing in efficiency as the navy
has expanded ; yet on so long a line it has
so far, been impossible to entirely suppress
illicit trade.
Fiom the return received at the Navy De
partment, it appears that more than 1,000
vessels have been captured since the block
ade was instituted, end that the value of
prizes already sent in for adjudication
amounts to over S3 000.000.
The naval force of the United States con
sists, at this lime, of 588 vessels, completed
and in the course of completion, and of
these, seventy five are iron-clad, armored
steamers. The events of the war give an
increased interest and importance to the
navy, which will probably extend beyond
the war itself.
The armored vessels in oor navy, com
pleted and in service, or which are under
contract and approaching completion, are
believed to exceed in number those of any
other power ; but while these may be re
lied upon for harbor defence and coast ser
vice, others of greater strength and capacity
will be necessary for cruising purposes, and
to maintain oor, rightful position on the
ocean. The change that has taken place in
naval vessels and naval warfare since the
introduction ol steam as a motive power
for ships of war, demands either a corres
ponding change in some of our existing
navy yards, or the establishment of new
ones, for the construction and necessary
repairs of modern naval vessels. No incon
siderable embarrassment, delay, or public
injury have been experienced from the want
of such Government establishments.
The necessity of such a nary yard so
furnished at some suitable place upon the
Atlantic sea board has, on repeated occa
sions, been brought to the attention of Con
gress by the Navy Department, and is again
presented in the report of the Secretary,
which accompanies this communication.
I think il ray doty to invite your special
attention to this subject, and also to that of
establishing a yard depot for naval purposes
opon one of the Western rivers. A naval
force has been created on those interior
waters, and under means - disadvantageous,
wivhin tittle more than two years,, exceed
ing in numbers the whole naval force of
the coantry at the commencement of the
present Administration. Satisfactory and
important as have been the performances
of the heroic men of the navy at the interes
ting period, they are scarcely more wouder
fct than the success of our mechanics and
artisans in the prod action of war vessels,
which have created a new form of naval
power. ' ,.
Our country has advantages superior to
any other natiou in our re-ources of iron
and timber, with inexhaustible quanties of
fnel in the immediate vicinity of both,
and all available and ni close proximity to
navigable waters. Without the advantage
of public works, the resources of the nation
have been developed and its power display
ed in the construction of & navy of such
magnitude, which has at the very period of
its creation rendered signal service la the
Union." ' ' '
The Increase of the nnmber of seamen in
the public service from 7, 500 men in the
spring of 1801, to about 34,000 at the pres
ent time' has beeu accomplished 'without
special legislation tr extraordinary boon tins, j
to promote . that 'increase. It has ; been
faaad fcowa rci. bt ths . opsratioa , Of the
draft, with the high bounties paid for army i
recruits, is beginning to atiect lnjurtonsty
the naval service, and will, ii not corrected,
be likely to impair its efficiency by detach
ing seamen from their proper vocation, and
inducing them to enter the army. I there
tore respectfully suggest that Congress
might aid both the army and naval services
by a definate provision on this subject,
which would at the same time be equitable
to the comunities more especially inter
ested. ' I commend to your consideration the
suggestions of the Secretary of the Navy, in
regard to the policy of fostering and train
ing seamen, and also the education ol offi
cers and engineers for the naval service.
The Naval Academy is rendering signal
service in preparing midshipmen lot the
highly responsible duties which ia after
life tbey will be required to perform.
In order that the country should not be
deprived of the proper quota' of educated
officers, for which legal provision has been
made at the, Naval School, the vacancies
caused by the neglect or omission to make
nominations from the States in insurrection
have been filled by the Secretary of the
Navy. The School is uow more full and
' complete thon at any former period, and in
every respect entitled to the favorable con
sideration of Congress.
During the past fiscal year the financial
conailion of the Post Office Department has
been one ol increasing prosperi'.y, and
I am gratified in being able to state that the
actual Postal Revenue has nearly equaled
the entire expenditures, the latter amount
ing to eleven million three hundred and
fourteen thousand two hundred and six
dollars and eight-four cents, and the former
to eleven millions one hundred and sixty
three thousand seven hundred and eighty
nine dollars and fifty-nine cents', leaving a
deficiency of but one hundred and fifty
thousand four hundred and seventeen dol-
,ar and twenty-five cents
In I860, the
year immediately proceeding the rebellion, j
the deficiency amounted to five millions
six hundred and filtv-ix thousand seven
hundred and five dollars and forty-nine
cents, the postal receipts of that year being
two millions six hundred and forty-five
thousand seven hundred and twenty-two
dollars and nineteen cents less than those
of 1863. The decrease since 1860, in the
annual amount of transportation has been
only about twenty-five per cent., bnt the
annual expenditure on account of the same
has been reduced thirty-five per cent It
i manifest, therefore, that the Post Office
Depnriment may become self-sustaining in
a few years, even with the restoration of
the whole service.
The International Conference of postal
delegates from the principal countries of
Europe and America, which was called at
the suggestion of the Postmaster General,
met at Paris on the 1 1th of May last and
concluded its deliberations on the 8th of
June. The principles established by the
Conference as best adapted to facilitate
postal intercourse between nations, and as
the basis of future conventions, inaugurate
a geueral system ot uniform international
charges at reduced rates . of postage and
cannot fail to produce beneficial results.
I refer you to the report of the Secretary
of the Interior, which is herewith laid be
fore you, lor useful and varied information
io relation to the Public Lands, Indian
Affairs, Patents, Pensions and other matters
of public concern, pertaining to his Depart
ment. .
The quantity of land disposed of during
the last and the first quarter of the present
fiscal years was three millions eight hun
dred and forty one thousand, fire hundred
and forty-nine acres, of which 1G1.911 seres
were sold for cash, 1, 456, 514 acres were
taken op under the Homestead law, and the
residue disposed of under laws granting
lands for military bounties, for railroad and
other purposes. It also appears that the
sale of the public lands is largely on the in
crease. It has long been a cherished opin
ion of some of our wisest statesmen that the
people of the United States had a higher
and more enduring interest in the early
settlement and substantia! cultivation of the
public lands, than in the amount of direct
revenue to be derived from the sale of them.
This opinion has had a controlling influ
ence in shaping legislation open the subject
of our national domain. I may cite as evi
dence of this the liberal measures adopted
in reference to actual settlers. The grant
to the States of the overflowed lands within
tboir limits, in order to their being reclaim
ed and rendered fit for cultivation, aud the
grant to railroad companies of alternate sec
tions of land upon the contemplated lines of
their road, when completed, wilt largely
multiply the facilities for reacbiBg our dis
tant possessions.
This policy has received its most signal
and beneficent illustration in the recent en
actment granting homesteads to actual set
tlers. Since the first of January last the
before mentioned quantity of one million
four hundred and fifty six thousand five hun
dred and fourteen acres of land have been
taken op under its provisions. This fact,
and the amount of sales, furnish gratifying
evidence of increasing settlement upon the
publio Iands.notwithstandingtbe great strug
gle in which the energies of the nation have
been engaged, and which has required so
Urge a withdrawal of our citizens from their
accustomed pursuits. . -
I cordially concur in the recommendation
of the Secretary of the Interior, suggesting
a modification of the act in favor of those
engaged in the military and naval service
of the United States. I doubt not tbat Con
gress will cheerfully adopt such measures
as will, without essentially changing the
general features of the system, secure to the
greatest practicable - extent its benefit to
those who have left their homes in the de
fence of the country in this arduous crisis.
I invite your attention to the views of the
Secretary as to the propriety of raising by
appropriate legislation 'a revenue from tba
mineral lands of the United States.
The measures provided at your last ses- j
uion. for the removal of certain Indian tribes
baye been carried ioto effect. Sundry treat
ies have been negotiated which will, in due
time, be submitted for the constitutional ao-!
tion of the Senate. They contain stipula
tions tor extinguishing the possessory rights
of the Indians, to large and valuable tracts
of land. -
It is hoped that the effects'of these treat
ies will resalt in the establishment of a per
manent friendly relation with such of these
tribes as have been brought into frequent
bloody collisions with our outlying settle
mente and emigrants. Sound policy and
oar imperative dnty to these wards of the
government, demand oor. constant attention
o their material. well being, to their pro
gress in the arts of civilization, and, above
iV ta their moral training, which under ths
blasting of Divine FroT.acewi.I confer ojs
on them ths elevated and Sanctifying influ
ence, the hope and consolation of the Chris
tian faith.
I suggested, in my last annual message, '
the propriety of remodeling our Indian ays
tern. Subsequent events have satisfied me
of its necessity. The details set forth io the
report of the Secretary will evince theur-,
gent need of immediate legislative action, j
I commend the benevolent institutions es- j
tablished or patronized by the Government
in this District to your generous care.
Tho attention of Congress, during the
last session, was engaged to some extent
with a proposition for enlargingthe water
communications between the Mississippi
river and the North eastern seaboard, which
proposition, however, failed for the time.
Since then upoa a call of the greatest respec
tability a Convention has been called at Chi
cago upon the same subject, a summary of
whose views is contained in a memorial ad
dressed to the President and Congress, and
which I now have the honor to lay before
J'ou. That this interest is one which, ere
ong, will force its own way, I do not enter
tain a doubt, while it is submitted entirely
to your wisdom as to whatcao bo done now.
Augmented interest is jiven to this sub
ject by the actual commencement ofjrork
upon the Pacific Railroad, under auspices
so favorable to its rapid progress and com
pletion. Enlarged navigation becomes a
palpable need to the great road.
1 transmit the second annual report of the
Commissioner of the Department of Agricul
ture, asking your attention to the develop
ments in that vital interest of the nation.
When Congress assembled a year ago the
war had already lasted nearly twenty
months, and there had been many conflicts
on both land and sea, with varying results.
The rebellion bad been pressed back into
reduced limits, yet the tone of public feeling
and opinion, at home and abroad was not
satisfactory.
With other signs, the popular elections,
then just passed, indicated uneasiness among
ourselves ; while, amid much that was cold
and menacing, the kindest words coming
from Europe were uttered in acoents of pity
that we were too blind to surrender a hope
less cause. Our commerce was suffering
greatly by a few armed vessels built upon
and furnished from foreign shores, and we
were threatened with such additions from
the same quarter as would sweep our trade
from the seas and raise our blockade. We
had failed to elicit from the European Gov
ernments anything hopeful on the subject.
The preliminary Emancipation Proclama
tson, which was issued in September, was
running its assigned period to the begining
of the new year. A month later the final
proclamation oame, including the announce
ment tbat colored men of auitable condition
would be received into the war service.
The policy of Emancipation aDd of em
ploying black soldiers gave to tho future a
new aspect, about which hope, and fear and
doubt contended in uncertain conflict.
According to our political system, as a
matter of civil administration, the General
Government bad no lawful power to effect
emancipation in any State, and for a long
time it had been hoped tbat the rebellion
would be suppressed without resorting to it
as a military measure.
It was all the while deemed possible that
the necessity for it might come, and that if
it should, the crisis of the contest would then
be presented. It came, and as was partici
pated, it was followed by dark and doubtless
days.
Eleven months having now passed, we are
permitted to take another review. The reb
el borders are pressed still farther back, and
by the complete opening of the Mississppi
river, the country dominated by the rebel
lion, now declare openly for emancipation
in their respective States. Of those States
not included in the emancipation proclama
tion, Maryland and Missouri.neitber of which
three years ago, would tolerate any restraint
upon the extention of slavery into new ter
ritories only dispute now as to the best
mode of removing it within their own limits.
Of those who were slaves at thebeginning of
the rebellion, full one hundred thoesand are
the in United States military service, about
one-balf of which actually bear arms in the
ranks, thas giving the double advantage of
taking so much labor from the insurgent
cause, and supplying the places, which oth
erwise 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 vio
lence or cruelty has marked the measures
nf emancipation, and arming the blacks.
These measures have been much discussed
in foreign countries, and co-temporary with
such discessions the tone of public sentiment
there is much improved. At home the same
measures have been fully discussed, sup
ported, criticised, and denounced j and the
annual elections following are higly en
couraging to those whose official duty it is
to bear the country through this great trial.
Thus we have the new reckoning. The
crisis which threatened to divide the friends
of the Union is past.
Looking now to the present and future,
and with reference to a resumption of the
national authority within the States where
in that authority has been suspended, I
have thought fit to issoe a proclamation, a
copy of which is herewith transmitted. On
examination of thia proclamation ii will
appear, as is believed, that nothing is at
tempted beyond what is amply justified by
the Constitution. True, the form of an
oath is given, but uo man is coerced to take
't. A man is only promised a pardon in
case he voluntarily takes the oath. The
Constitution authorizes the Executive to
grant or withhold the pardon at his own ab
solute discretion, and this includes the pow
er to grant on such terms as is fully estab
lished by judicial and other authorities.
It is also proffered that if, "in any of the
States named, a State Government shall be,
in the mode prescribed, set np, such Gov
ernment shall be, recognizad and guaran
teed by the United States, and tbat under
it the State shall, on the constitutional con
ditions, be protected against invasion and
domestic violence.
The constitational obligation of the Uni
ted States to guarantee to every " State in
the Union a republican form of government
and to protect the State in the cases stated,
is explicit and full. But why tender the
benefits of this provision only to a State
Government, set up in this particular way 1
This section of the Constitution contem
plates a case wherein the element within a
State favorable to a republican form of gov
ernment in the Union, may be too feeble for
anoppoeite and hostile element, external to,
and even within, the State, and snob are
precisely the oases with which we are now
dealing. ,
An attempt to guarantee 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 ab
surd. There must be a test by which to
separate the opposing elements, so as to
build only from the sound ; and that test is
a sufficiently libera! one which accepts as
sound whoever will make a sworn recanta
tion of his former unsoundness.
. But if it be proper to require, as a test of
admission to the political body, an oath of
allegiance to the Constitution of the United
States, and to the Union under it, why not
also to the laws and proclamations in regard
to slavery? Those laws and proclamations
were enacted and put forth for the purpose
of aiding in the suppression of the rebel
lion. To give them their fullest effect there
bad to be a pledge for their maintenance. In
my judgement they have aided, and will
further aid, the cause for which they were
enlisted.
To give up this principle would be not
only to relinquish a lever of power, but
would also be a cruel and astounuiog breach
of faith. I may add at this point that while
I remain in my prevent position, I shall not
attempt to repeal or modify the Emancipa
tion Proclamation.
Nor shall 1 return to slavery any person
who is free by the terms of the Proclama
tion or by any act of Congress.
Fur these and other reasons it is thought
beet that the support of these measures shall
be included ia the oath, and it is believed
the Executive may lawfully claim it in re
turn for pardon and restoration of forfeited
rights which he has clear constitutional
power to withhold altogether or grant upon
the terms which he shall deem wisest for
the public interest.
It should be observed, also, that this part
of the oath is subject to the modifying and
abrogating power of legislative and supreme
judicial decision.
The proposed acquiescence of the Nation
al Executive in any reasonable temporary
arrangement for the freed people, is made
with the view of possibly modifying the
confusion aud destitution which aoust at
best attend all classes by a total revolution
of labor throughout whole States. It is
hoped that the already deeply afflicted peo-
r.ln in thruia States mif be
somewhat more
ready to give up the cause of their affliction
if, to this extent, tbis vital matter oe lets
to theii3tslves, while no power of the Na
tional Executive ti preveat aa abuse is
abridged by the projwfcvo.
The suggestion io the proclamation as to
maintaining the political framework of the
. . I
Dieting views that the step mignt be delay-
ed too long or be taken too soon. In some
Slates tie elements of resumption seem
ready for action, but remain inactive appa-;
rently for want of a rallying point a plan (
of actien
Whv shall A adontthe olan of B rather
than B that of A? And if A and 13 should
agree, how can they know but that the
General Government here will reject their
plan? By the proclamation a plan is pre
sented which may be accepted by them as
a rallying point, and which tbey are assured
in advance will not be rejected here. This
may bring them to act sooner than they
otherwise would.
The objection to a prematura presentation
of a plan by the National Executive consists
in the danger of committals on points which
could be more safely left to further devel
opements. Care has been taken to so shape
the document as to avoid embarrassment
from this source.
In saying that on certain terms certain
classes will be pardoned, with their rights
restored, it is not said thaf other classes, on
other terms, will never be included. In
sayiDg tbat a reconstruction will be accept
ed if presented in a specified way. it is not
said tbat it never will be accepted in any
other way.
The movements, by State taction, for
emancipation in several of the States not in
cluded in the Emancipation Proclamation,
are matters of profound gratulatioo. And
while I do not repeat in detail what I have
beretofora so earnestly urged upon this sub-!
ject, my general views and teelings un
changed, and I trust that Congress will omit
no fiir opportunity of aiding these impor
tant steps to the great consummation.
In the midst of other cares, however im
portant, we must not lose sight of the fact
tbat the war power is still our main reli
ance to that power alone can we look, yet
for a time, to give confidence to tne people
ia the contested regions that the insurgent (
rower will not strain overrun them. Until
that confidence shall be established little
can be done anywhere for what is called
reconstruction, hence, our chiefest care must
still be directed to the army and navy, who
have thus far borne their harder part so
nobly aod well. And it may be esteemed
fortunate that 'in giving the greatest effi
ciency to those indispensable arms, we do
also honorably recognize the gallant men,
from commander to sentinel, who compose
them and to whom more than to others the
world most stand indebted for the home of
freedom disenthralled, regsnerated, enlarged
aod perpetuated.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 8,. 1SG3.
The following proclamation is appended
to the message.
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, In and by the Constitution of
the United States, it'is provided that the
President shall have power to grant re
prieves and pardons for offences against the
United States, except in cases of impeach
ment; and, whereas, a rebellion now exists,
whereby the loyal State governments of sev
eral States have for a long time beeo sub
verted, and many persons bave committed
and are now guilty of treason againBt the
United States ; and whereas, with reference
to said rehellioo and treason, laws have been
enacted by Congress declaring forfeiture
and confiscation of property and liberation
of slaves, all upon . terms and conditions
therein stated, and also declaring that the
President was thereby authorized at anv
time thereafter by proclamation to extend
to persons who may have participated in the
existing rebellion in any State, or part
thereof, pardon aod amnesty, with such ex
ceptions and at such times, and on such con
ditions as he may deem expedient for the
public welfare, and"
- Whereas, The Congressional declaration
for limited and conditional parden aocords
with well established judicial exposition of
the pardoning power and, '-.'.
Wheieas, With reference to said rebellion
the President of the United States baa is
sued several proclamations with provision
in regard to the Uberalba of alaye ; and,
States on what is called reconstruction, is wuenever, m any oi tner
made in the hope that it may do good with- j State of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mis
out the danger of harm. It will save labor , sefPP. Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Flo
and avoid great confusion. nda hoath Carolina and North Carolina, a
But why any proclamation now upon this ' number of persons, not less than one-tenth
subject? This question is beset by the con- ! ln number of the vote cast in such State at
. . . a.U. T-... J T -1 1 .t . S a. 1 m
Whereas, It is now desired by some per
sons heretofore engaged io said robellion to
resume their allegiance to the United State
and to re-inaugurate loyal State govern
ments within and for their respective States.
Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President
of the United States, do proclaim, declare
and make known to all persons who have,
directly or by implication, participated ia
the existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
excepted, that a rcLL pahdom is hereby
granted to them and each of them, with re
storation of property, except as to slaves and
in property cases where the rights cf third
parties shall have intervened, and upon the
condition that every such person shall take
and subscribe an oath, and thenceforward
keep and maintain said oath inviolate, and
which oath shall be registered for perma
nent preservation, and 'shall be of tenor and
effect fallowing, to wit:
"I do solemnly swear, in the presence of
Almighty God, that I will henceforth faith
fully suf port, protect and defend the Con
stitution of the United States and the Union,
of the States thereonder, and that I will in
like manner abids by and faithfully support
all acts of Congress passed during the exist
ing rebellion with reference to slaves, se
long and so far as not repealed, modified or
held void by Congress or by decioion of the
Supreme Court, and that I will in like man
ner abide by and faithfully support all pro
clamations of the President made during the
existing rebellion baviog reference to slaves
so long and so far as not modified or 'deolar
ed void by decision of the Supreme Court,
So 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 so-called Confederal Govern
ment; all who have left judicial stations un
der the United States to aid the rebellion ;
all who are or shall have been military or
naval officers of said Confederate Govern
ment, above the rank of Colonel in the ar
my, or of Lieutenant in the navy; all who
left seats in the United States Congress to
aid the rebellion ; all who resigned their
commissions in the Army or Navy of the
United States, and afterwards aided the re
bellion, and all who have engaged, in any
way. -n treating eolored persons, or
bit
persoos in charge of snob, otherwise than
lawfully, as prisoners of war. and which
persons way be found in the United State
service, as soldiers, seamen, or in any other
capacity. ,
And I do farther proclaim, declare anl
1 I .La 1 " m .m
luo ""-"-' cieciiuu oi ia year or oar
Lord, lc0, each having taken the oath
aforesaid, and not having since violated it,
and being a quahfiod voter by the election
law of the State existing immediatly bofore
tho so-called Act of Secession, and exclud
ing all others, shall establish a State Gov
ernment, which shall be republican, and in
no wise contravening said oath, such shall
be recognized as the true Government of tb
State, and the State shall receive thereunder
the benefits of the constitutional provision
which declares that the United States shall
guarantee to every State in this Union a re
publican f"rm of government, and hall pro
tect each of them against invasion ; aod oa
application of the Legislature, or the Exe
cutive when the Legislature cannot be con
vened, against domestio violence.
And I do further proclaim, declare and
make known tbat any provision which may
be adopted by sach State Government, in re
lation to the freed people of euch State
which shall recognize and declare their per
manent freedom, provide for their education
and which may yet be consistent as a tern
porary arrangement with their present con
dition as a laboring, iaodless and homeless
class, will not be objected to by the Nation
al Executive.
And it is suggested as not improper that,
in constructing a loyal State Government ia
any State, the name of State, the boundary,
the subdivisions, the Constitution and the
general code of laws as before the rebellion
be maintained, subject only to the modiSca-
tion made necessary by the conditions here-
inbefore stated, and euch others, if any, not
contravening the said conditions, and which
may be deemed expedient by those framing
the new State Government.
To avoid misunderstanding, it may be
proper to say that this proclamation, so far
as it relates to State Governments, has po
reference to the States wherein loyal Sta'a
Governments have all the while been main-
tained
And for the same reason, it may be prop
er further to say that whether members of
Congress from any State shall be admitted
to their seats constitutionally, rests exclu
sively with the respective booses, and net to
any extent with the Executive. And still
further, tbat this proclamation is intended
to present to the people of the States.where
in the National authority has been suspend
ed, and the loyal State Governments bav
been subverted, a mods by which the" Na
tional authority and loyal State Govern
may be reestablished within the said States,
or in any of them, and while the mode pre
seated is the bast the Executive could sug
gest, with his present impressions, it must
not be understood tbat no other possible
mode would be acceptable.
Given under my band, at tbe eity of
Washington, the eighth day of Becember, A.
D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty
three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the eighty eighth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
' By the President.
Wk. II. SiwaaD, Secretary of Stat.
The Philadelphia Republican paper
have '-destroyed," "raized to its foundation
and ntterely demolished" Fort Samter
thirty-seven times, and yet the incorrigible)
old nuisance keeps popping away at us,
aad efiectoalfy blocks our entrance- into
the sinla! harbor of Charleston. Either
these Republican papers are awful liars, or
Fort Snmpier mast be the devil himself.
A . Republican paper wants to know
"what relation do the Democrats really op-
pose Mr Lincola bears to the government?'
Well, we shall say the same relation that
a clown bears to a circa.
The marriage of Secretary Chase's dacgh
ter cannot be called a golden wedding, lax
her father baa made an end to the gold,
a circulating medir.ro on this , eonuaeat.
Call it l ikinphittr vtddin.