Litchfield enquirer., 1861-12-12
Rittbfel0 Gnqlluer,
TfEgRsDAY. DEC. I2, 1861.
Emancipation or Net :!

Evidently the Emancipation. Question Is to be extensively aired during the present sitting of Congress. Bills and Resolutions are being intro duced which will bring the matter up in connec- ton with the prosecution of the war and we may expect a thorough discussion of the whole matter, upon which, it is possible, new parties will be formed, and upon which may turn, one way or the other, tine result of the present contest.
 It is impossible that this question sooner or later should net arise. The war confessediy is for the Preservation of the Union, no more, no less, but already we are involved in the most seri ous practical questions, as to what shall be done with the slaves of Rebel masters whom we have taken in arms against us, or who flee to our arms for protection. It is question upon which the government must have policy, and that speedi- ly; for already, amid the countless proclamatons of the different heads of departments, amid the orders and cpnu:er-orders of the highest in auth ori.y, conflicting decrees arise, and we are left as much in the dark as to what the Government means to do with the darkies as the darkies them selves.
 We believe the PEOPLE are prepared for the question and with Q policy, and that very firm one.
 We do not believe this Government is to en- dure, or the var to prove successful, or the Re public to bepreseryed in its entirety; unless dis tnct and firm policy on this question is to be ta- ken.
 We to not believe that our camps are to be turned into slave-shambles, or our Generals into siave-catchers. We do net believe that loyal fu gitives fson. rebel masters should be held in du. rance vile, to be returned to their masters when the war ~ over, being supported by the govern ment meantime. If they are property they should be confscated- they are asen, they should be set free.
 We believe that if President LINCOLN should issue Proclamation to-day, stating that Freedom would be given to every slave that should rally 10 tue American Standard, in less than month eI. , r,o,, Norv,.nd to the Mississippi, and from | ,a,so-----!-. prruu1u witness such a U
 7 we so secession as the victories at Hatteras and lnh ~al or the occupation of Western Virgin ;.lencn. aussouri should afford but the smallest ly tie des. of.
 z !'i.GJ ; tould settle the few accounts we shoud ss it is ith loyal shareholders the rebels we they 10 ave another account to settle and large a''i'' still .o be wiped out.
 Po:r' majority of the Northern people arc no nee fonists, but they are Emancipationsts s,,-a.,.;; ia is contessedly war of Slavery-a Un ,;la ..s sose corner stone is Freedom and Equa ot.j""ts, CT Confederacy whose corner and cap is Slavery, Ignorance and Bar5arisIa.
 Naeople will then demand such polio, IL. - 5. Government. Our preservation de .,,....:...f, 'rGnr convictions demand it; Justice sia-., .o le:s.
 ',.a ,l's h.: 17ftch the progress of this vita .r l,,i..s..s terest, and endeavor to lay be ,. -;,.yn.--a. i the progress of this point, unti
 Eol.e--lslsoa i,~:;u, or the Gov i;.ic; iat tl&~S
 i; the ou We shall expect to be able to announce ' @".:s the backbone of the rebellion is broken and that the sunshine of peace is breaking
 through the clouds of war-and not till then.