Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-11-30
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The MIessage.

Congress will meet on Monday next. What
ever else may be done, we hope that the Pfesi
dent Will enunciate distinctly and uneouiyocallv
the policy Of the Government upon the elay,
question. Mr.. Lincoln is President. now. anf
whatever misgiyings he may have had last ye eal
before his election and prior to his naueura
ton, In regard TO the propriety of prociama
tion OF his sentiments on the slavery uneation
such doubts need not be entertained now
ne Is President, and he can set at defiance
oil the Abolitionists Of the country II be- will
only be true TO the Constitution and the Laws
! some declaration from President Lincoln is
the more important now, because bis Cabinet
onicers, forgetfu Of their positions, and looking
only 70 future political elevation, have asserted
directly opposite sentiments on this question, az
IN the case OF Mr.. Cameron OF the War Depart.
ment, and mr.: Smith of the Interior Depart
DIVISIONS OF the army have also exercised the
privilege OF putting forth their dogmas on the
slavery issue, and they are as wide apart AZ
Cameron and Smith. One would put arms In
the hands of the negro to assassinate his mas
ter and his masters family-for il all leads TO
tnat-and the other would protect the owner of
slaves In all his constitutional rights. Mr..
Cameron represents the Abolition school of pol-
iticians, who do not want to see the Union
saved unless 1t can be done at the exbense sof
tne destruction OF all prope.ty in slaves; and
Mr.. Smith recognizes the right of propertv in
slaves, and would do nothing to interfere with
that right under the Constitution and the lava.
Inc opinions of men at the head of the various
Divisions Of the army are not less variant or re.
markable.
One thing is certain now-unless the Presi.
dent OF the United States, in his annual mes
sage, shall declare his exact position on the
slavery question-unless he laws down chart
by which his Ministers are to be guided here
after, or have their mouths sealed, there will
De elements Of discord all over the country, of
Waicn no american has ever yet seen parallel.
we we have now to deal with stern realities; and
missourians, Kentnckians, Marylanders and
DeiaWarlans, have a mighty stake on the re-
suit. Ihe President can in q dozen lines put
n 1nis question at rest, and we hope he will do IT,
Inc message is the place for ii. Let Mr. Lin.
CON declare that slave property shall be pro-
teeIee, except 10 cases where it is pslpably for.
ieited 10 the United States, by the disloyalty of
citizens, and every owner of this description of
property will be quieted. IL is time that some
such declaration was made BY the President,
He is the head of the Government, and reepon-
sible for the acts of the Cabinet officers: If he
Will put himself right on the record on this.
question, and leave his back door and interested
advisers alone, there will be such a reyulsion Of
feeling In this country-North and South, East
and West-as never was known before. We
shall then have the declaration of the President,
and not Of single members of bis Cabinet, nor
OF accidental commanders of divisions of the
army, and the responsibility will rest where il
belongs, on the President himself Louis
Republican