New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04


is assumed, and his lying vaunts and accuse
lions the last efforts Of despair.
President Lincoln, on the other hand is not
moved even by this unseemly display of rage
and mnlgnity, to one harsh inculpation. He
very properly lays stress on the truth that the
Southern rebellion is war upon the proper
dignity of labor and upon the political franchises
of the poor; he strongly deprecates such
retrograde as the leading rebels clearly COM
template toward the Dark Ages wherein Des-
potism and Arstocracy ruled the masses
with rod of iron; but he breathes not an
unkind impulse toward even tho authors and
promoters of this giant wckedDess, which has
already brought death to thousands and
Indebtedness to hundreds OF thousands. They
have plunged the nation into an abyss OF car
mage and devastation, with no more reason
than could be assigned for commencing war
upon the sun which gives light and heat to all;
they must be vanquished and put down: but
he would do them no harm beyond what the
good of the country and their own crimes
render indispensable. He deals in no railing
accusations he INDUCES in no boasts OF VIC
tories already won or certain soon TO DE-
achieved but he cberishes an INDY ing iaith IN
the American People, and q confidence In Lac
benignity of God. Thus strengthened and
sssured, the President looks calmly on the
momentOus drama now being enacted BY our
distracted countrymen in the sight OF all
astonished world believing that Reason must
yet resume her sway, and the integrity Of the
Union be fully indicated and confirmed.
We make no synopsis Of the doctrines and
topics OF the Message, because its commend
able breyity and its intrinsic interest will
insure its universal and intent perusa Com
paratiyey brief as it is, it touches on great
variety of topics, and its exposition OF our
National condition will be found satisfactory
and reassuring. On the paramount question oil
the attitude which the Nation shall maintain
with regard to slaves aud Slavery, the Pres-
dent says:
In considering the policy be adopted for uppressing the
Instruction have been anxious aud careful that tho ineys
BILE conflict for this purpose shall degenerate into violent
and remorseess reyouilouAryogge have, therefore, 10
eyery case thought it proper keep the integrity Of the
Uron prominent the primary object Of the cones, Oh our
pat leaving all Questions which not Of vital military i'm
potance deliberate action Of the Leti'auie In
the exercise Of my best discretion have adhered the
blockade Of the ports held by the in'gen instead put
ting in force by proclamation the Of Congress enacted It
late session for closing those ports So also obey lag he
dictate, Of prudence well the obligations Of Law instead
Of have adhered to The &c, Of Congress to
scs,e property used for nsuee.onary purpos ~ new
Law upon the subject shall be proposod, IL Propety
will be duly considered The UHioH ~H" be p''o'os and
hence all indispensable must be employed We 'h"a
not be In haste that radical and esee meas
nfes which may rcsoh The loyal well as the disoya are
indi,Peusablc."
Tho spirit Of this is admirable. and VIII
command general approval lt is right and
proper that the President Of tbo whole Union
should labor and hope for the restoration OF
the Union with the least possible sacrifice OF
pre-existing ties and interests. Mr.. Lincoln
places the duty Of preserving tho Union above
all conflicting consderntioDs and therein he Is
clearly right. He deicrs to the Judgment Of
Congress, and will doubtless abide by that
Judgment. 1t is a very open secret that he
was utterly averse TO the ConEscation act, aud
signed il with great reluctance; but no now
iutimates no lingering doubt OF tue policy or
justice Of that net. lie may be late to realize
the necessity Of still sterner measures aimed at
the source and handspring Of the rebellion;
but he will not defeat the VIII Of the loyal
people, as embodied and expressed by their
representatives. Hand in hand the Executive
and the masses have entered upon this tire
mendous struggle, and they will not, they must
not, fall out by the way TO its triumphant con-
clusion.
That the integrity Of the Union should be
the paramount object of loyal Americans in
this contest, is on all hands conceded. The
practical question is-Can this end be promoted
by further Difference to and bols,ering up of
Slavery While rebel cOrsairs are sinking aud
burning our unarmed merchant vessels on the
ocean, shall we recognize and uphold the clam
OF rebels to property in human beings! We
say, Not is dangerous, fatal to do 80: it is
giving a factious and unjust strength TO the
public enemy; it is cherlshng the viper which
has its fangs now fastened in the National
breast. Notify the shareholders frankly that
they may have thirty or sixty days more in
which TO lay down their arms and return to
loyalty; but if they shall continue to defy the
National authority and menace the National
existence after the expiration of that term,
their slaves shall, as matter Of memorable
public policy-nay, as means OF saving the
National life at cost less than ruinous-be
proclaimed free, and invited to make their way
4 Al Ir.;on I;,a, odd thar. Ia. racoopizod