Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-11


portion Of Secretary Cameron's report takes very
definite aud decided grounds on the sabjeet Of
slave property. Il goes as far in that direcfion
as did John Cochranes now famous speech 10
bis regiment and goes farther than did General
fremont more famous Proclamation in Missouri
When Secretary Cameron endorsed the senti-
ments Of Colonel Cochrane's address. he did SO
understanding fully It's import There was no
mental reservation in his expression of approval.
The same views. understand he put forth in an
official and clearly expressed form in the report
which he had prepared to be submitted to Con-
gress. and which was 20 have accompanied the
Presidents Message. He there enunciafed the
policy of the emancipation of slaves in the rebel
States, of the converting 70 the use of the Ma
tional Government all property, whether slave or
otherwise. belonging to rebels, of resorting to
every military means TO put down the rebellion
and even of placing arms in the hands of the ne
grOes for that purpose.
Whether il was that that portion Of the report
of the Secretary of War embodying these views
was not completed last night when the Cabinet
had settled up everything pertaining to the mes
sage, or whether more mature consideration ON
the part of the President led him to appreciate
more closely the danger of these extreme views
of the Secretary of War. can not with certainty
say; but one thing which do know is, that it
was on account of this report of Secretary Came
ron tnat the fSilFery OF the message has been de
layed. | believe there are some objections, also
on the same point to the report Of the Secretary
of the Navy, and both these documents will have
te undergo revision and modification before they
are presented.
An important Cabinet meeting has been held
to-day in reference TO these very exciting matters
The President seems determined to adhere faith
fully and unsseryingy to the line of policy which
he proclaimed in his inaugural, and on which he
has since conducted his administration-tha is.
10 put down the rebellion by using all the nation
al resources, but at the same time to maintain in
violate the Constitution and laws of the Us.;ted
States. Between his policy and that of the Sec
Rotary of War there seems to be wide gulf
One or the other must yield, and need not say
that it will not be Mr.. Lincoln. He knows his
responsibility to the nation, and will not allow
himself to be turned aside from the straight path
OF duty by any crotchet or views of policy that
may be entertained by any of his subordinates.
The Secretary of War is not only at variance
with the Presideat in regard to the policy uIder
which the war is to be conducted on our side, but
is also, have reason to believe. at variance with
the Commando in Chief. In regard to the dis
position to be made of the slaves in the regions
that may or have been subdued by our arms
Gen. McClellan's views seem to coincide with
those of the President. Mcclellan recognizes the
necessity of adopting some well defined and uni
form mode Of treating this subject. but is de-
cidedly opposed to that proposed by Secretary
Cameron. understood that he has il in contem-
platoon TO issue general order, in a few DAYS. TO
commanders of the several military departments,
enjoning upon them the observance the course
of policy embraced in the recent proclamation of
General Dix, and also in that of General Halleci
Any attempt to carry into operation the senti-
ments OF Secretary Cameron, with reference to
arming the slaves, would be inevitably attended
with most disastrous consequences. 1t would
probably lead to the resignation of Gen. McClel-
Ian and the general DISCRIMINATION of the army.
This dcnger is well known to the President, and
is one of the powerful motives actuating him to
a disapproval of the views which Secretary Cam
eron desired to enunciate in his report and to make
prevail in the conduct of the war
Mr.. Lincoln's own views are decidedly AYERS e
to the extreme measures proposed by Mr.. Came
ron; but if there were no other cause to lead
him to set his face obstinately against them their
extremely dangerous effect upon the army would
be all-suffcient 1t is no wonder, therefore, that
there is anxiety aud trepidation among members
of Congress, army officers. and the whole COM
munity, growing out of the non-delivery OF the
Message to day. / believe that the moderate and
constitutional views of the President will prevail,
and that the ultra extreme measures of Adolf
tonists in the Cabinet, in Congress and in public
| life will meet with failure and discontinue.
| The work Of Congress to-day has been exceed
ingly precipitate. Very bad taste has been shown
in not delaying action the great questions agi-
tatng the country until the Message of the Pres
ident and reports of the Secretaries we've sent in,
considered and duly disposed of. The entire pro
ceedings have partaken more of country deba
ting society. where each member tries to excel
the other in introducing subjects for discussion,
than that of a great deliberative body. whose ac-
ton is closely watched by the civilized world.
The niger has been in the fence at both ends of
the Capitol and at both ends of the avenue
The most conservative Republicans in the
House opposed this hasty legislation.