Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-11-27
Prescott, Wisconsin. Nov. q, 1851.
From the ST. Paul Daily Press.
H More Light.H


new and awakened vision, seemed never
more appropriate than when we read the
recent speech of that distinguished leader
Of the New York Democracy, Hon.
John Cochrane, delivered at the National
Capital, and the unqualified and emphat-
ic endorsement of the same by Simon
Cameron, Secretary of War.
The report is as folIows:--
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-John COch,
raue delivered an address to his regi-
uent. in the presence Of Secretary Cam
cron and other distinguished persons,
10 dav. The most important point III
his argument was in relation to the treat
1nent Of slaves during the present contest.
He said we need to use every means IN
our power to sutdue the rebellion. We
should take their cotton and sell or burn
it, as was best; confscate their property,
and, when neces- AIRY, take their lives
and, rs their slaves were used as al eIe-
ment against us, VIC shouldn't hesitate to
take them, and, if necessary, to place
arms az tier hands that trey naght as
sist IN establishing tie rights Of common
Humanity. This sentiment was received
with unboundcd enthusiasm.
To which Secretary Cameron replied
as foIlows:-
approve of every sentiment uttered
by your noble commander. All the
doctrines be has laid down approve Of,
as if they were uttered in my own words.
These are my sentiments, and the scn.-
lnents which will eventually lead to VIC
tory. II is no time 10 talk to these pco-
bic, but meet them on their own terms
and treat them IS enemies, and punish
them as our enemies, until they learn to
behave themselves. Every means which
God has placed in our hands we must
use, until they are Subducd.
On the first day of the current month,
we had occasion TO speak reioicingly of
the order tho Secretary of War had Civ
en- the commander Of the naval expedi-
ton respecting the treatment Of tae fugi-
tive slaves of rebels,-ordering the &C
ccptqnce Of all proffers Of assistance from
such-their organization, and arming, in
the discretion OF Gen Sherman. This
order was confined to a single movement
of the army. and, in view of the modifi.
cation of Fremont's proclamation in q
different department, we could but accept
it with some misgiyngs as to the general
adoption and application of its princi-
pies in the condact of the war. But
now, before the moon has passed through
one cycle, we are assured that no back
ward steps will be taken.
These utterances Of leader Of the
Democratic party, and of the member Of
tie Administration more immediate y
charged with responsibility in prosecuting
the war, have weighty significance
Tie occasion seems TO have been created
and the actors chosen expressly for the
utterance of the sentiments, that will be
accepted by the country as declaration
of the policy of the adm nistration. That
the Hon. John Cochrqne should make q
speech is no, so remarkable, but that he
should have taken occasion at the Ma
tionai Capita to " deliver an address &c
. regiment in the presence of Secretary
Cameron" aud that "the most import
ant point in his argument WAS IN relation
TO the treatment of slaves during the
present contest" and that Secretary
Cameron should have taken occasion to
reply TO the ." most important point in
Hon. John Cochranes speech, saying
=. All the doctrines he has laid down
approve rs if they were my own words :
oil this, as a thing to have happened
casually, we think very remarkable
Indeed. TIE evidence to our minds is con-
elusive that it did not happen casually
but, on the contrary, was intelligently
planned and designed. That its object
was n semi-official announcement of the
future policy of the war.
The man chosen to express the senti-
n1ents Of that policy was admirably adap-
ted to the purpose. He has been a
Pharisee of the Pbari5ees in the political
pro-slavery church of the North. Utter
ances fiom him against slavery would be
subject to none of the discount that they
would suffer in the public market, if
coming from Black Republican source.
The endorsement of the Secretary of War
upon the bills was necessary TO give them
currency, ms the views and policy of the
administration.
We rejoice in view of these facts, be-
cause, rs we have had occasion to say
before, the events of the seven months
that the war has now been waged, the
hundreds of millions of treasure that has
been expended, the many thousand lives
of brave and patriotic men that have
been sacrifced-the holocaust of noble,
princely lives-Ellsworth, Lyon, and
Baker-that have been offered ND to
appease the moloch of the shareholders
rebellion; all these have gained us so
little while we have been standing guard
over slavery, that we have despaired of
success-if indeed we have ever enter
tanned the hope of it-without striking
Mt the very root of the misunderstanding
ting Upas.
We scarcely need qualify our words,
again. by saying that we do not seek to
have this war waged in the interest of
emancipation farther than the exigencies
Of war demand as our military occupa-
ton is extended. We are willing to sti-
fie every noble instinct in behalf of the