, 1861-11-28
shall be done with the Slaves that are
freed. Does it look like advocating rapine
and massacre, as evil minded and dishonest

opponents assert?
10 the next charge, that the TRIBUNE
seeks to make the object Of this war the
liberation Of the Slaves rather than the |
salvation Of the Union, We interpose an
unqualified negative. The complete |
subjugation of the rebellion and the preser-
yation Of the Republic are the grand Oh
jcets we Lave in view. To accomplish |
these high and holy purpose, We advocate
the employment Of all possible aud le5iti-
mate means. We advocate the raising Of
q mighty army and the equipment ofa
great fleet to assail the rebels By sea and
lard. We advocate q close blockade of
all their rc1ts for the purpose, as it we're,
Of sut1ocating them into submission.
We advocate the seizure and con6scation
Of their gccds and chatte}s, their cotton,
corn, mules, plantations and slaves-every-
thing that will tend to compel
them to lay down their arms.
Our opponents agree with us in each of
these steps, save that of slaves. But why
1ot confscate slaves Us well as cotton,
mules, and plantations? Why make Al
exception ofslayes? Are they not regard
ed as properly by the rebels? Is it he
cause that description Of "properly" is
more precious in the sight Of the rebels
than anything else they possess? Nothing
strikes more terror into. the heart Of trai-
tor than the loss of his elaye. From moth.
ing does he derive so powerful assistance
in resisting the forces Ct the Government
and in effecting his purpose to destroy the
Union as from his slaves. Why then in
the name Of common sense and patriotism,
should that species Of property" remain
untouched? Wcwould strike down slave
~ to safe the Union, while our reVi!ers
would let it perish to save slavery. With
tie TRIBUNE the eradication Of slavery Is
a means to an end, and that end is National
existence. The blockade is means to
same end. The half millicn Of sons and
brothers sent forth to peril their lives have
but one great purpose in view-the pres
e1vatien and perpetuity Of the Republic.
TIE stake is National Existence, Free 1nsti-
tp.ions ard SelCgoTernmen:. The posi-
lion Of the TRIBUNE is to let military ne-
ces<ity Judge Of the means necessary to be
ustd to save the Union, and the progress
Of the VAT has shown with vivid distinct
ness, That slaves must be confscated Us
we'll as Gotten, arms and gun-powder, be-
fore the rebels can be beate1 into srbDais-
sion to.the National authority. Then why
make an exception Of them?
The last Ct the three false charges made
against the TRIBUNE is, that it advocates
the liberation Of the slaves Of loyal mas
te1s without compensation.
We do no such thing, have never pro-
posed the like, and will never countenaace
CT support any proposition Of the kind.
On the contrary, We desire that the loyal
| owners Of slaves shall be paid their fair
commercial value out Of the National
Treasury, and will cheerfully pay our share
ofthe expense. While Wedeny that theCon-
stitution recognizes property in man, yet
as slaves are esteemed, held and
treated as. property by the State laws
and local customs, We are in faya1
Of paying the ransom for the freedom o
all those belonging to masters who up
hold and defend the Union. We desire
that full indemnify be made to suct
persons, let it cost the Government
what it may: It Will be part 0
the penalty inflicted On us all for our pas
guilt in supporting the monster evil which
has plunged our country into its presea
unhappy condition. 1t will be part OF tht
price paid for the higher and .aobler ciyi1i
zation which our children shall 5ereal
ter enjoy.
But the amount Of the ransom meet
appal no man. The number Of loya
Shareholders and Of slaves belonging tt
them is comparatively small. They are tt
be found mostly IN Kentucky and Mary
land. In the eleven seeded States TIL
shareholders are rebels almost to man-
While therefore We regard slavery as
moral, social, and political eyil-as th
bane and curse Of the nation, as the paren
Of ali our past strife and discord-aad tn
chief cause Of the present fratrici
dal contest We only ad7oeate its aboli
ton as q war measure, as q military ne
cessity, as an Indispensable resort to say
the life Of the nation, we are conyiace
that this rebellion cannot be put dew;
while the rebels are allowed to add til
t strength Of four millions Of slaves to thel
} aims; that permanent peace cannot b
l secured while the active, propelling caus
Z CT the revolt is permitted to endure, an
l as we love the Union a thousand fol
G more than the system Of slavery, we sa
c away with it, remove the apple Of discor
c from the family, and let pence and fre'
: dom with healing On their wings, deseen
upon our ccean bound Republic,