The New York herald., 1861-12-17

pcs character to an nstitu Jlon which was mot Gus
ceptib.e OF political character
The church, by being endowed with political power
with its convents its sehope it's immense landed wealth
It's associations and Open became the ruling
boodshed probably than any other which has desc
lated the earth. Slavery st less susceptible of po
cal character than was the church. is A. IT. at this
moment Tor the humber room OF the past az was n 1898
the monastery the landed wealth. the exclusive privilege
&C, Of the Catholic church in France
IL behooves 70 consider self governing people
bred and reared and prsctced in the habits OF self GO
vornment whether cannot, whether ought not,
revolutonize slavery out OF existence without the no
cessy Of conflict Of arms like that Of the French
luton.
Indeed assured tina, the moment slavery abo
shed from that moment Southern brethren--evefy
ten Of whom have probably relatives in the North
would begin to emerge from hateful derum. From
that moment, relieved from imaginary terrors, their
days become happy, and their nights peaceful aud free
from alarm the aggregate amount Of labor under the
new stimulus Of fair competition becomes greater day by
day property rises in value invgoratng influences sue.
coed to stagnaton degensracy and decay and union,
harmony and peaceto which have long been stran
gersbecome restored and bind again the bonds OF
friendship and amty, az when We first began
toaal career under our glorious government Of 1889
Why do the leaders OF the rebellion seek 10 change the
form OF your ancient. government
Is because the growth OF the African element Of your
population has come at length 20 render change neces
Will you permit the free government under which you
have thus far lived and which is well suited for the
development of true manhood 10 be altered
and belttlng dcsposm in order to adapt to the
sites of ignorant slaves and the requirements Of their
proud and nristocratc owners2
Will the laborng of the South bind their neCke TO
the yoke that suited the SLAYER We think
We may safely answer that the time has not arrived
when Southern brethren the sake OF keep
ing Africans in slavery, will abandon their long cherished
free institutions and ensave Themselves.
II is the conviction OF my command, as part
of the national forces OF the United States that
labor--manual labor--is inherently noble that IL
cannot be systematically degraded by any nation
labor is the granite basis which free
rest that II is the right, the capital the inheritance tho
hope OF the poor man everywhere that il is especially
the right Of five millions Of fellow countrymen the
slave States, as well as Of the four millions Of Africans
there and all our efforts, therefore however small
great, whether directed against the interference Of 60
vernments abroad or against ,ebellios combinations at
home shall be for free labor.
Our motto and standard shah be- here and every.
where and on all occasions
Gree labor and work ingnen's 3 rights"
II is this basis thje alone that our nunn
cent government-the asylum or tue natonscan be per
petuated and preserved J. W. PHELPS,
Brigadier General OF Volunteers Commanding.
EFFECT OF GENERAL pHYLps' PROCLAMATION.
On the evening Of the 18th day Of December number
of the officers Of the brigade and Of who were
still board the Constitution asonisbed to learn
that General Phelps had prepared proclamation to the
people Of the Southwest. il read and caused
very great dissatisfaction nothing but
sense Of duty and regard for discipline preventing the
strongest expressions OF disgust
The next day the substance of the document spread
like wdnre among the officers OF the command and Of
the naval SQUADRON The rsmart OF every officer whom
speak Ol u WAS mat iDey naal not come
here to zht for the abolition Of slavery but FOR the in
tCgrity OF the Union
The assertion in the opeuing caee OF the on
that IL expression Of tke principles by
which my command will be governed" IL (I do General
Phelps theusce to believe nteptiona so) untrue on
the contrary II is the prevailing opinion that the procls
nation is endorsed by the administration land i have
reason to believe IL will be will lead to much dsancc.
ton ia General Pheps brigade aBd very likely 10 the
resignation OF nearly If al of his officers In tho
al department The feeling stronger and many
OF It's officers have hestancy declaring their inte
he
Cabinet
n the procanaf on declared intention u tlo most
vigorous prosecution OF the and even asserted that
IT the abolition of slavery resulted consequence of
such proseGuton the army rf The Southwest wonid ac.
cep tas the legitimate fruit Of the foul 'ee Of secession
II would have mel with unanimous approval and endorse
mcni in both branches OF the ship island hui
as ~ nov reads they feel thcmselycs much aegrsre and
mlsrep'e.cnted
Up 10 the Of leaving slip rglaua General
lneilE mad been unable 10 t his over
the mainland The trials and troubles Of ,the new
bosn chiId' have been very great And somewhat anus
ing. and arc ~ follows
Gvneral Phelps accepted the Offer of Mr. smith 10 SO
cure s dissemination among ta ltop'e Of Mssipspp
n,ander the squadron, asking for boat tiap Of
10 take him over TO the mauiaud Of Mississippi for
the purpose OF Issuing the proclamation
Captain Smith replied to Nr. Smith, courcoosls but
very decidedly refusing the boat and flag Of rncc and
stating that ho should lay tho correspondence apd
matter Of the proclamation before Flag Officer
his arrival (Which was daily cxpectcd), but the
,.. ...... -y..s, as vrs was co'a" ani then
squadron,) the proclamation sh" not oroS Ader of be
ea'enan. sacaanan' anding Fort no ssas
sso"1 ,.r,sT-1 W. unrng his command - ~. rs,a, tns
REORGANIZATION should not posted a "" , r i,s n
70 she Generals proclamation ST. mac .r,a,on,,v n,,s