Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-09-25

the people at the North, az the course taken by
the President in the treatment of General Fax
MoxT's proclamation. When we wrote last week
that we were convinced from the former declara-
tons of the President. that the Administration
must regret the course of the Western General,
our view was received with considerable distrust,
and even this slight expression Of dissent from
the practice adopted by one of the army officers,
was by some jealous people regarded as an inter
ference with the prosecution of the war by the
Administration. 1t appears plainly now, and we
record it with satisfaction, that headlong APP
prevail of whatever political plans are adopted by
Major Generals. is quite as likely to be an inter
reference with the designs of the President and
his cabinet, as a judicious expression of opinion
against them. Those of our contemporaries who
in their haste applauded the proclamation ofGen.
FRrxoNr as "the way to carry on the war" find
that that way is not the Administration way, and
by approving it they have added to the embar-
rassment il has caused the Government The
question has been magnifed into one of
great importance by the constant effort to
inveigle the Government into the tolls of
the emancipationists, and enlist the army in a
crusade against slavery. er.
There is really no practical difficulty whatever
in the treatment of slaves By the army, according
to the ordinary principles of law or the common
rules of war As to making our soldiers slave
catchers, apprehend that no one expects it,
North or South; and as to affording shelter to
fugtives, unable to perceive on what
principle they are to be treated differently from
poor persons of any other color or position in the
places where they may be found. An advancing
army viii necessarily make what use it can OF all
property of rebels in arms, and in doing so will,
without waiting the slow processes of courts,
seize and consume provisions, transfer to their
own uses all arms and munitions of war, horses,
wagons and available goods, and will of course
make the slaves of rebel useful il they can, and
il they can not. will let them look out for them
selves This would effect the virtual freedom of
many slaves, nor do we see how people in arms
can expect any other result than this in the i'm
mediate localities where the war is carried on.
But this, which may be called an accidental effect
of the war. is very different matter from con6s-
cation of property, that phrase is ordinarily and
properly understood, to the perfection of which
legal proceeding is necessary, involving con-
viction for treason, or decree of con6scaton on
account of treason, by competent court.
When the war in Virginia shall be over, the
condition of slaves then ia that State will be-
come, rs before, matter of State law and regu-
lation, while those who have been forcbly con-
veyed, of who have escaped into other States,
will be subject to the provisions of the fugitive
slave act. The confscation and freedom, under
the act of Congress, of any who have been
tually employed by the rebels for reasonable
purposes, may then be pleaded in behalf of such
have thus obtained freedom, and the courts will
recognize all DEGREES of other courts which shall
have been made on that subject.
No possible course could be devised more like
ly to make the war permanent in duration to
period beyond the foresight of any man, than the
Introduction of the principle contended for, that
all slaves of rebels engaged in rebellion. shall for
that cause and at once be and become free. This
declaration, circulated over Southern States,
while it could do no possible good, would make
the union of the entire South against the North
for war to the end, an absolute necessity. 1t
would hold up before every man and woman as
the result of peace and submission. immediate
declaration of the freedom of all slaves and de-
mand by Northern Abolitionists that such free
dom should be secured by the Government. and
a future in the South, as a consequence, from
which humanity shrnks with horror.
As to any possible good to be derived from it,
it would be supposed that the experience of FIVE
months past was enough to dispel forever any
such idea
The apprehended uprising Of the slaves, which
was one of the elements in many mems calcula-
tons last spring, has long been seen to be with
out probability. No proclamation of liberty to
the slaves will have any force to frighten the
Confederates, but, on the contrary, such proc
lamation would unquestonably add to their de-
termination never to submit to the Constitution.
The principle that the regulation of slave pro-
perty is State matter, only to be interfered
with by the local exceptions which actual war
creates, and only to be disturbed by legal confs-
cation under due process of law, is mauifestly
that on which the President intends that the con-
test shall be conducted. nor will he be likely to
consent to any proclamations which shall be so
general in their operation as to overthrow in en-
tire States, the confidence of the people that they
may lay down their arms, and resume their
peaceful operations, at any moment when a gene
raj amnesty shall be proclaimed. Ii such proc
lamation could operate as a legal manumission
of slaves. il is very plain that future procla-
nation could suspend its effect, or deprive slaves
of the freedom to which they had become en-
titled by its issue So that, without discussing
its iIIegality, it is evident that, if legal and of
force. il would forever overthrow the foundations
Of society at the South, result which would
crafty Northern abolitioniSts infinitely more t.an
a speedy and peaceable submission to the Gov
eminent and close Of the war.
We trust that the firm course of the President
in the case of Gen FRExoSr's proclamation, will
be the end of the attempt to coerce the Admins
tration into aboiitioniSm. We can not but regard
the occurrence as one of the most important
which has taken place since the outbreak of the
war, and are well assured that it will not only
strengthen the Administration in the estimation of
the entire North, but will give great encourage
ment to the Union men in the border and South
eru States. on whose labors so much of the future
now depends.
-s The state Prisoners. 4
Three State prisoners, prominent citizens &C
Kentucky, were brought here on Friday and are
detained upon the charge Of treason OF completely
with traitorous designs against the Government.
The prisoners are ex Governor c. g MoREHKAD,