New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-23
"XyANTED. A PNLICY.r

| Under this significant title, one of our CO.
tcmporares distinguished for the frequency and
suddeuness of bis flip-1aps and circumgrations,
not long since forcibly urged the necessity of a
definite, lucid, settled line Of conduct on the
part of the Government with reference TO
slaves and Slavery. That journal, in pursu.
ance of its constitutional instincts has since
seen fit to "turn its back on ITSELF" with re-
gard to this as to many other topics, and to
argue that each Military commander should be
left free to act and speak as he may see fit, or
as local and temporary exigencies may seem to
require, with regard to the whole contraband
question. The recent prOcamatiobs of Gems
Sherman and Phelps-agreeng in nothing else
but being alike utterly foDg.headed aud mis-
chievOus-say all that need be said against this
new and strange position. Al wars must
hencefoIth be in large measure wars OF Opn-
ion--this one is prominently SO. The tenor Of
O Proclamation may exert more influence over
its result than a well fought battle. Such
being the fact, instead Of allowing each com
mander Of department or expedition to issue
such manilestoes as his personal proclyi-
ties or political trsiuing may dictate,
all such Issues should be- sternly repressed
aud every Proclamation affecting Slavery, how
ever signed or wherever Issued, should emanaie
from the Government aud have received the
express sanction of the President and his Cabi-
net. Infinite mischief has already been en-
countercd by pursuing an opposite policy-by
Artff nth
eddy which should be guided by a strong hand
and governed by an enlightened, determined
will. The Nation cannot afford to have-Eor
even to seem to haye--one policy for Louisiana,
another for South Carolina, aud third for
Kentucky or Virginia. it must have definite
purpose, and must pursue that purpose I'M
finchngly to the end.
Now that Congress has adjourned for the
Holidays, we trust this matter Is to be taken
in hand and disposed of at once and forever.
Let the Executive and the Legislative Depart
ments of the Government, through the leading
members Of each, compare notes during this
season of comparative leisure, with fixed re-
solve that the result shall be harmony in coun.
ell aud energy in action 1t ia plain to all eyes
that we are on the eve Of great events; 1t 10
not possible that the dlatory policy shall
much longer prevail. In June, it was too early
to fight, We must wait till November; now that
November is past, and December near its end,
excuses for doing nothing are invented with
difficulty and heard with impaticnce. II tho re-
bellion is ever to be crushed, it must receive
damaging blows within q very few weeks
But the very first requisite Of our present
position is a precise and well.understood policy
with regard to the slaves Of rebels. They are
numbered by millions. They have long I'M
patiently listened for thc watchword that is to
give them q definite interest in the result OF
this struggle, yet up to this hour they have
listened in vain. The great body of the slave
holders are as thoroughly alarmed and enfaged
as if John Brown were President and Fred.
Douglass Lieutenant-General; yet their slaves
have never had one authentic, cheering
word from that Government which their owners
are banded to overthrow. Tboy arc daily told
that "the Yankees" are coming TO kill them,
TO MAIN them, TO seize aud sell them in Cuba,
and oil manner of preposterous liesi to all
which there is 10 response from our side;
and silence under damning accusation is held
equivalent to confession. Even Gen. Pbclps's
preposterous Proclamation is devoted to recon.
dite constitutional exegesis and other abstract
disquisitions; there is not q word in Il tb, ,
should encourage poor negro 10 take a sb'Ii and
put off for ship Island. Gen. Sherman has not
to this day told the great majority Of the PEG.
| pie of South Carolina what Treatment they shall
receive if they see fs to present themselves at
hi outposts, nsL.ng permission to scrye and
help save pe Union. And not even in Virginia
is 1t authoritatiyey proclaimed that black
man who comes from the enemy's camp TO
ours, bringing important intel gence, shall not
be forced back into Jefidom and slavery, there
to be whipped and tortured for the crime Of
loving the Union aud serving its defenders.
That men who hare so served the country have
been treated thus ungratcfllly, treacherously,
we haze heard and believe. What assurance
have those who are now meditating midnight
trip from rebel camps through the woods and
swamps which divide the two armies to give
our Generals seasonable warning Of rebel
movements, that they will be served any bet
ter We know Of none.
II ia high time that We had either War or
Peace; and q contest in WHICH We guard and