The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-10-25
Position of the President,


ofthe republic. If the perpetuation and real
ization of az impracticable party platform
is the object, then it is to be deprecated
and deplored, as measure likely to prove
not only unsuccessful, but destructive of
the Constitution itself. If, on the contra
~, the design is to execute the laws and
preserve the principles of the Constitution
in spite of platforms and sectional theories
for political and social reform, that design
should meet the cordial appreciation, sym
pathy and active support of every loyal
friend of free government and of Ameri-
can liberty.
Happily the President of the United
States has latterly exhibited a patriotic
intention in the matter, which should
command the appreciation of all, in whose
hearts love of the Constitution is para
mount to the sickly sentiments of imprac
able enti-savery reformers. In this, all
true democrats and conservative republi-
cans will applaud him. The evidences
thathis position has not been mistaken,
are many. From New York journal we
quote summary of his recent measures,
bearing upon the point in question:
"What is the Presidents position on
the subject Of slavery in the States 1t
is that of full recognition of the sover-
eign power of the states themselves over
it, and corresponding disavowal of any
right in either the federal government or
Congress, to interfere with it. We find
him pausing and hesitating, and evince-
ing much reluctance, to sign even that
very proper law, passed at The last session
cohfscating rebel property, lest it might
clash with those ri ghts which he regard
ed as sacred and inaienable. We find
him also disappearing and annuling that
part Of General Fremont's proclamation,
which declared the slaves of rebel mas
tiers emancipated; and we find him on all
occasions making the most candid and ex-
plict avowals of his determination to OBJ
serve all constitutional guarantees, to en-.
force the laws with an impartial hand, and
to respect the rights of every state and
section. No man can doubt the honesty
and sincerity Of Mr. Lincoln in this as in
all his other positions.
Then we nave Attorney General Bates
letter in reference to the same question,
recognizing the validity of all the laws of
the State of Missouri, including those af,
fecting slaves. The sentiment and views
of the Secretary Of War in regard to the
slavery question are no less loyal, no less
constitutional, and no less clearly express
sed, than are those of the President His
letter to General Butler in regard to the
treatment of fugitive slaves at Fortress
Monroe puts at rest all doubts respecting
bis fidelity to the national compact. He
declares it to be the desire of the President
that all existing rights in all the States
shall be fully respected and maintained,
and he issues his command forbiddino in
the most imperative manner any interior
ence by the troops with the servants of
peaceful citizens, or their preventing the
voluntary return of fugitive to his mas
ter. An order of the day of Gen. Mans
field in reference to the same point for
bids the harboring Of fugitive slaves IN the
quarters and camps of the troops serving
in the department of Washington, and for,
bids their being allowed to accompany
troops on the march. Finally, we have
the speech made by the Secretary of the
Interior at public meeting, held in Prov
idence, r. |. on the 10th of August, in
which he lays down the views and policy
Of the Administration in reference to the
war, declaring that "there could not be
found in South Carolina a man more anx-
ious, religiously and scrupulously, to OBJ
serve all the features of the Constitution
relating to slavery than Abraham Lin
coin" The Administration, he said, made
no war upon Southern institutions. They
recognized the right of South Carolina
and Georgia to hold slaves if they desired
to do so; and they held that it was not
the province Of the Government of the
United States, to enter into a crusade
against the institution ofslavery.
1t is for the purpose of sustaining the
President, and all others in this constitu-
tiona position, that we support the demo-
cratic nominees ia Wisconsin in the pres
ent campaign. 1t is a position to which
the ruling faction Of the republican party
of Wisconsin is violently opposed. Hence
there lis an issue between the republicans
and democrats as strongly marked as that
between the friends of the Union and its
enemies in the Border States, or elsewhere
upon American SOIL The loyal men of
Wisconsin have their duty to perform in
the struggle, as we'll as the loyal men of
Kentucky, Missouri or Mary land. 1t is
as much our duty to defeat opposition to
the government here as in any other
State .-Milwaukee Press d News.
| THE WAR DEBT.-The Government debt.
by the 10Th of December next, will be
about three hundred and eleven millions