Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-10-03

aSDAY, OCTOBER 3, l8'
The Proclamation Of Freedom.
To THE ED1roRs OF The INDEPEEDENr:
Will you allow me to express in you
journal some thoughts called out by read
ing the communication Of "Roger" in youl
issue Of August 29th, headed "Who shall
carry the Proclamatlona"
He says, "The masses of the people
have become convinced that slavery is, in
one way or another, the cause of our great
troubles" True; and as this conviction
settles down upon the people, who very
well know that "our great troubles" will
never cease till the cause thereof is re-
moved, the all-absorbing question comes up
in all hearts, Will the slaves freedom come
out Of this conflict now begun between
the rightful Government and the wrongful
rebels?
For myself, have no doubt of it.
| 1t is admitted on all hands that the
slave-power is in earnest. Instinct with
the energy of despair, they mean to fight
to the last. And day by day the people
Of the United States and their agents at
Washington are coming to recognize that
fact.
To-day the hope Of compromise is left
to some idiotic demagogues and the Soci-
ETY. for the Promotion of National Unity.
The people gave it up weeks ago, and
now regard the white flag Of peace and
compromise as only the symbol of treason
as rank as that of JEFF. Davis, and infinite
ly meaner. a.H ~sIa
People and Administrator agree that
such movement as now threatens the ex-
isteuce Of the Republic can be put down
only by the vigorous use Of every means
in the power Of the Government.
Every gun must be turned upon the en-
emy, and nil the powers in the world of
matter and man must be concentrated into
one grand focus of living light and deadly
heat. While write comes the news that
our desperate and inscriptions foe have
prevailed upon certain tribes of Indians to
join in their wicked scheme; "holy ALI
ance" of savages, civilized and unciviIized,
wherein the Indian appears respectable by
comparison.
In view of these things, the question of
your correspondent, "Who shall carry the
Proclamation?" assumes the gravest i'm
portance. Remember that every encroach-
ing step Of the slave-power in the past has
been marked by vigilance, activity, and de-
termined purpose.
Suppose the Southern leaders repulsed
at Washington chased out of Virginia. tax
ing the slaves along with them, pushed
even to the Businesses of the mountains and
swamps, defeat on every hand and subju-
cation staring them in the face,--who
doubts that in such an emergency they
would call in the help of the slaves against
US, even though it became necessary 10
promise them liberty?
l grant it would be sacrificing the very
object the rebellion was instituted to se-
cure, but then when mems passions are up
they will do things not laid down in the
programme. Even contending children Of
ten ruin the disputed 10Y and still fight on.
What evidence have we that thu South
love subjugation more than :hey hate AZ
ricau freedom especially when put forward
by their own trusted leaders and under the
all prevailing plea of military ne necessity.
And with the prestige thus acquired, when
would they be put down and the authori-
ty of the United Slatee established in the
Southlands For I do know that very
much of the 'devoted zeal and patriotism
among the whole people of the loysl
States" whatever "Isoger" may think to
the contrary, is due to the feeling in all
hearts, that somehow slavery is to be dam
aged in the conflict necessary to put the
rebellion down. Withdraw this feeling
from their hearts, and you have unne..ssa1 sa a
many manly and womanly heart.
AS I said before, freedom must come
whether by the action c. concurrence of
President, Cabinet, army, or q desperate
enemy, or in spite of all these and over
the ruins of whose stands 10 the way,
"For ne that worke!.h high and wise,
Nor pauses in mis- plan,
v Al Jake the sun from out the skies
Ere freedom out of man."
But oh! how thrilling the question,
"Who shall carry the proclamation
Abraham Lincoln with Union and VIC
tory-or Jefferson Davis with secession,
disunion, and an Independent government
sure to be speedily recognized BY the ma
tions.
It is assumed that with emancipation
upon the national standard, and freedom
for rallying cry, the rebellion can be put
down. ..... ga ..,--
Whether il can be done without remains |
to be seen. But no proclamation of eman-
cipation, calling upon the slaves to take
up arms in behalf Of the Union, is re-
quired; it is sufficient that the Admins
tration avow the intention of emaucipa-
ton to take effect, of course, so fast and |
so far as the army moves, and the power
to carry it into effect is extended.
This We have right to demand.
Already the leaders of the rebellion
have persuaded the masses of the people
that the "Aboli!ionists" sss they :.aassyy persist iu
calling the Union men, mean to do just
this very thing; and as they give us credit
for cherishing such q sublime purpose,
would it not be a pity to disappoint them
Will they not think even worse of US and,
despise us more if we do? Why not ac
cent the vocation tn which thav bevo o,lIod