Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-18
Abolition congressional Policy


About sixty Republican members Of Congress
in caucus, called to determine the policy that
shall be pursued in tie prosecution of the war,
unanimously resolved upoH she 'confscation ofalI
property of rebels in arms and of all who aid and
abet them, and the unconditional emancipation of
their slaves" This policy. we presume, wilfbe
Incorporated into Congressional legislation, and
it is probable that the President will be guided by
the recommendations and directions of the legis-
lative branch of the Government. We can not
doubt but that the people Of the Southern States
upon the question of emancipation will be unit
in opposing it. They have common interest,
whether loyal or disloyal to the Federal Govern
ment in resisting scheme, which, ifit can be car
ried into effect, will be disastrous to all their
teriaI interests. The great body of the people of
the North have accepted as the object of the
war the restoration of the Union under the Con-
stitntion- The sweeping emancipation scheme
proposed by the Republican caucus cannot result
otherwise than in the destruction of the Union
blow upon the progress and prosperity Of the
entire nation. Production is the wealth of the
country The North has deep interest, if we
reunited as a nation, in maintaining not only,
but still further developing the productive inter-
ests of the South Emancipate the slaves and
that labor, which certainly has added largely to
the wealth of the nation, becomes OF no value.
Otherwise, as all must admit who understand the
negro character. that class viii become burden
to the industry Of the other sections of the coun-
try. This SUDDEN. forcible and inconsiderate
freeing of the slaves, is shortsighted unwise
aud will be an injury to the very class for
whose Well-being the negro abolition philanthro-
pists profess to have so much at heart 1t is
time for the conservative sentiment of the North,
of the loyal border slave States, to put their
"foOt down" upon a scheme, not demanded by
considerations of patriotism. or a regard for the
welfare of the whole nation. Such policy win
benefit nobody. not even the slaves; and it can
only be prompted by party spirit as selfish and
unwise as it Is rancorous. With very few ex-
cepsions. Two in the House only, the Republican
members of Congress in July last. declared. UNI
der the sOlemnty of Their. official oaths, that
in this national emergency Congress. banishing
all feeling of mere passion or resentment, viii
only recolect its duty to the whole country; that
this war is DOT waged upon our part in any spirit
of oppression. nor for any purpose of conquest
or subiugation. nor for the purpose of overthrow
ing or interfering with the rights or established
institutions of the States. but to defend and main
tain the supremacy of the Consultation and pre-
serve the Union. with its dignities, capabilities
and the rights of the several States. unmpaired,
and as soon as these objects are accomplished,
the rar ought to cease"
That 20 icy was right inJuly and II is no less
right now. The country was assured that such
were the objects for prosecuting the war Shall
not adhere to them. honestly and in good faith?
These assurances we're given TO encourage the
loyal citizens Of the border slave States and shall
we now prove false to them-change the object
Of the war right IN the face Of the pledge Of Con-
gress that emancpaton--"the overthrowing or
interfering uith the rights or established insfitu
tons of the states'--were not the purposes for
which it was to be sagedr The Abotionists
are as much bent upon the destruction of the
Union as the Secessionists, and II their policy pre-
walls, as the action of The Republican Congress
sional caucus foreshadoEs that it probably will.
snIess the conservative sentiment of the country
promptly performs its duty, no more fatal stab
can be given our national unity and progress.
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