Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-12-14

provided for in soma way. Besides
this, It is not impossible that some Of
the states will p.as similar enactments
for their own benefit respectively; aud
by the operation Of which persous Of
the same class will be thrown uuou
them for disposal.
In such case I recommend that Con.
gress provide for accepting such per-
sons from such States according to
some mode Of valuation in lieu pro
ta'sto Of direct taxes or upon some
other plan to be agreed on with such
States respectively, that such persons
on such acceptance by the Genera,
Government be At once deemed free,
and that in any event, steps be taken
for colonizing both classes, or the ous
first mentioned, if the other shall not
be brought into existence at some place
or places in climate congenia. to
them.
1t might be we'll to consider. too.
whether the free colored people already
in the United States could not 80 far
as individuals may desire, be included
III such colonization. To carry out the
plan of colonization may involve the nc.
quiring Of territory, and also the ap-
pr ropriation of money beyond that to be-
expended in the territorial acquisition.
Having encouraged the acquisition
Of territory for nearly sixty years, the
question Of Constitutional power to do
SO Is no longer all open one with u.s.
Ahe power was at first questioned by
Mr. ) Jefferson, who, however, in the pur-
chase OF Louisiana yielded his scruples
On the plea Of great expediency. If i.
be said that the only legitimate obiec.
OF acquiring territory is to furnish
homes for white men, this measure eff
tects that object, for the emigration of
co!ored men. leaves additional room foz
white men coming Or remaining here.
MIR. jefferson, however, placed the i'm
portance of procuring Luisiana more on
political and commercial grounds than
on providing room for population. On
this whole proposition including the. ap.
preparations Of money with the aceuisi.
ton of territory, does not the expedi-
ency amount to absolute necessity tha.
| without which the Government cannot
be perpetuated =? The war continues.
In considering the policy to be adopted
for suppressing the insurrection, hsye
been anxious and careful that the inev.
liable conflict for this purpose shall not
degenerate into violent and remorse.
less revolutionary struggle. I have
therefore, in every case thought it prop
er to keep the integrity Of the Union
prominent as the primary object Of the
contest Oh our part, leaving all questions
which are not of vital military impor-
tance, to the more deliberate action of
the Legislature.
In the exercise of my best discretion
have adhered to the blockade of port.
held by insurgents, instead Of putting
in force by proclamation the law Of
congress enacted at the late session, for
closing those ports so also, o,obeying the
dictates of prudence, ss we'll az the oh.
ligarlons of law, instead of ftranscending,
l have adhered to the act of Congress
to contiscste property used for insurrec.
tionary purposes. If new law upon
the same subject shall be proposed, it.
proPriety will be duly considered Tho
Union must be preserved, ard hence
all indispensable means mus, be en-.
p!oyed.
We should. not be IN haste to detern-
ille that radical and extreme measure
which may reach the loyal as well as
the disloyal are indispensable. The
Inaugural Address at the beginning of
the administration and the message to
Congress at the late special session
were both mainly devoted to the do
mestic controversy out of which the
insurrection and consequent war have
sprung.
Nothing now occurs to add to suo-
tract from the principles or general
purposes stated and expressed in those
documents. The las: ray Of hope for
preserving the Union pesceably expir.
ed at the assault upon Fort Sumter, and
q general review Of what has occurred
since may not be unproitabie.
What was painfully uncertain then, is
much better defined and more distinct
now, and the progress Of events is plain
ly in the right direction. The insurgents
confidently claimed good support from
north of Mason and Dlxon's line, and
the friends Of the Union were not free
from apprehension on the point. This,
however, was soon settled definitely,
and ON the right side. South Of tho
line noble little Delaware led off riph.
from the first. Maryland was made to
seero against the Union. Our soldiers
were assaulted, bridges were burned,
and railroads torn mp within her limits.
and we were many days at one time
without the ability to bring q single
regiment over her soil to the Canssol'