The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-03
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
opening Of the First Session Of the
Thirty-Seventh Congress.
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Precipitate Action on the Eman-
eipation Question.
The Presidents Message to be Sent to
Congress at Noon To-day.
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Mr.. LincOln's Views ON the Slav-
cry Question.
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Advance Of the Union Pickets Into
the Enemy's Country,
&c &C., &c.
Mr.. Linc0ln's Views ON the Slav-
cry Question.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 1851.


THE MESSAGE AND REpoRTs-wHY THEY WERE NOT
SENT TO CONGREss-vIEws OF SECRETARY CANE.
RoN-coNsTIrUTIoNAL POLICY OF PRESIDENT LIN
COLIN AND GEN. M'CLELLAN-MPORTANT CABINET
CONSULTATIONS, ETC..
great deal Of anxiety, mingled with some astonsh-
mcnt, pervades Washington to-day. People cannot un-
dersand why It is that the Presidents Message which
was understood to have had all the finishing touches put
upon IT, and to DO ready for delivery was sent in to
Congress-. or course all sorts Of and specua-
tons rife the cause Of this Some Of the facts
connected with It have got wind and their discussion
adds TO the prevailing excitement As there nothing
to be gained by conceament in such matters
informed OF the Of the case propose enghten
you thereupon.
First them you mrst know that the closing portion Of
Secretary Camerons report takes very definite de-
cded grounds the subject of slave property II goes
far in that direction as did John Cochrane's now
famous speech to his regiment goes farther than did
General Fremonts moro famous proclamation in Mis-
souri, When Secretary Cameron endorsed the sentiments
Of Colonel Cochranes address. he did understanding
fully its import. There mental reservation in his
expression Of approval The same views, understand
he put forth In Official and clearly expressed form in
tho report which he had prepared to be submitted to
Congress, and which to have accompanied the Pres
dents Message Hc there enuncated the policy OF the
emancipation Of slaves in the rebel States Of the con-
verting to the Of the national government pro
perty, whether slave otherwise belonging to rebels
Of resorting TO every military to put down the
rebellion, and of placing arms in the hands of
negroes for that purpose.
Whether 1t that that portion of the report OF the
Secretary of War embodying these was not com
pleted last night when the Cabinet had up every
thing pertaining to the Message, or whether moro
mature consideration on the part Of the President
led him to appreciate clearly the danger OF these
extreme views Of The Secretary of War, cannot with
certainty say but thing which do know is that it
account of this report of Secretary Cameron that
the delivery of the Message has been delayed believe
thore objections also, the pointto the
report OF the Secretary Of the Navy, and both these
documents will have to undergo revision and modilca
ton before they are presented.
An important Cabinet meeting has been held to-day in
reference to these very exciting matters Tho President
seems determined to adhere faithfully and unswcrvngy
to the line OF policy which he proclaimed in his naugu
rail- and which he has since conducted his adminsra
tionthat is, to pu, down the rebellion by using all the
national resources, but At Tho time maintain in
violate the constitution aaa laws of the United States
Between his policy and that of the Secretary of War
there to be wide guff. One or the other must
yeld and need not say that it will not be Mr. Lincoln
lie knows his responsibility to the nation and will not
allow himself to be turned aside from the straight path
of duty by any crotches views Of policy that may be
entertained by any Of his subordinates.
The Secretary of War is not only variance with the
President in regard TO the policy under whch the war is
to be conducted side but is also have reason to
believe, at variance with the Commander in. Chief IN
regard the disposition be made OF the slaves in the
regions that may have been sGbducd by our arms
General McCleans views seem to coincide with those of
| the President. Mcclellan recognizes the necessity Of
adopting some we'll defined and uniform mode Of treating
this SUBJECT but is decidedly opposed to that proposed by
Secretary Cameron. understood that he has It in con
commanders of the several military departments, en-
joining upon them the observance OF the course of
policy embraced in the recent proclamation Of Gene
raj Dix, and also In that Of General Hallcck. ANY
attempt to carry into operation tho sentiments
Of Secretary Cameron, with reference to arming
the slaves, would be Inevitably attended with most
disastrous consequences It would probably lead to tn.
resignation OF Mcclellan and the general disorgan
cation Of the army. This danger Ia well known to the
President, and is Of tho powerful motives actuatng
Cameron desired to enuncate in his report and to mako
prevail in tho conduct Of the war. Mr. Iiucon's own
views decidedly aversc TO the extreme measures
proposed by Mr.. Cameron but If there no other
to lead him to set his face obsnatey against them
their extremely dangerous effect uron the army would DO
all sufficient 1t is wonder, therefore, that there is
anxiety and trepidaton among members Of Congress.
army officers and the whole community growing out OF
the nondevery of the Message today believe that
the moderate and constitutional views of the President
will prevail, and that the ultra extreme measures O,
abotionists In the Cabinet, in Congress and in public
| life will NEE. with failure and discontinue
The subject Of negro emancipation has also been brought
forward in the House by Mr. Eliot, OF Massachusetts, who
offered resolution which, while recognizing the const
tutonal obligations Of the government declares the
opinion and advice Of the House OF Representatives that
orders OF emancipation should BIO issued in military dis
tricts state Of instruction, whenever the same will
appear to the Conman in Chief the Officer In com
mand under him. calculated to weaken the power Of the
rebels to strengthen tho OF the loyal forces
motion to lay this resolution the table was negavsd
by vote Of ayes SO, TO- Mr.. Eots resolution TO-
gether with one OF similar tenor, opposed by Mr. Ste
vsns, of Pennsylvania were subsequently laid aside ill
next week
The work OF Congress to-day has been exceedingly
preciptate Very bad tasto has been shown in
mot Aatar