Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-09-30
The True Scope of the Presidents PrOcla-
nation,

willing to give the Emancipation Proclamation
he praise which it really deserves, viz those
who are dissatisfied with it because it is not i'm
mediate and general, and those who are dssat-
isfed with it because it assais Slavery. The
latter class are sure to find only evil in it, and
the former can see little good. 1t was not to be
expected that those who love slavery for any
cause would be pleased with this movement
looking to the abolition OF their fayorite nstl-
tuition but it does seem to US that every one
who sincerely desires to see this nation freed
from the debasing, demoralizing and dangerous
influences Of slavery should rejoice at this ma
tional expression in favor Of Freedom
What is the real scope OF the Proclamation
10 us it is something more than a mere menace
to the South, or Il mere war measure looking to
the suppression OF the rebellion 1t is indeed
true that, for its legal Justification, and as
against the constitutional arguments Of those
who have hitherto defended the Institution
from every national Effort to hem it in, or weak
en- it, the Proclamation must be treated strictly
as war measure All its limitations and the
peculiar way in which it il finally to take effect,
If at all, are also to be Judged wholly as
questions Of ways and means in suppressing re-
beIlon and restoring reyolted States to their true
place in the Union, ana subordinate to the Gen
era Government Aud in tins method Of treat
ing the Proclamaton lies the answer to the
pro-slayery style Of sneerlng at the joy OF tho
radicals because, it is said It offers to spare
slavery to those rebels who shall before the LIST
OF January desst from their trea son the
Proclamation ostensbly being put forth TO hasten
the end Of the rebellion and not the end OF
slavery. And unless it can be fairly argued that
immediate emancipation would put down tTea
son before the LIST Of January the postponement
Of the time when it shall take effect has full jus.
tfcation.
But this is the mere letter Of this most impor-
tant State paper, the mere form which hides
the living splrir Of truth and justice and night
eousness, which, We believe, animates and glor-
fees this act OF President Lincoln and which
will give it place n history as one Of the
greatest, wlsest, and oest acts Of the century
Mr. Lincoln said, in hls recent letter to Horace
Greeley that his persona. wish was that all
men everywhere should be free lie also has
known that many millions OF the loyal people,
who were unfolding him as the Chief Mags-
trate oil he Republic, sympathized deeply with
him il TINS personal wish. He has known that
Christian men, in all parts Of the country, were
reading, in the atflictioa- Of the nation, God
Judgment upon us for no, striking at the great
sin OF slavery lie has also known mat go)d
men in foreign lands, men who loved this coun-
try, admired our Tree institutions, aud earnestly
/ desired the success OF our experiment OF self
government, were amazed that the nation did
not accept the issue slavery seemed forcing upon
it. And does anybody suppose that this
knowledge and this persona. wish OF Mr. Lin
coin have had no effect upon the President, but
that he has coldly, and as q mere military meas
ure, announced his purpose OF cmanciwting the
slaves in such territory as may be insurrect,uu-
airy on the next new year Does anybody sup
pose thlt the effect OF this proclamation upon
the future OF the war, and upon the future OF
this nation. is to be Of no more consequence than
as though the President had confscared all the
horses and cattle OF the nsurgent States Has
the proclamation no more significance, asa moral
force, than as though il had declared that cotton
and rice and sugar should not be grown IN III.
surgent districts after January?
We are glad to reckon ourselves among those
who find in this proclamation deeper signlf
canoe, u more iar-reaching craftsmanship. a
broader philanthropy, and a more humble and
pous faith in absolute justice and eterna night
than enter into the cold calculation Of mere
material forces. We see IN it national &C.
Acknowledgement that Freedom ls the right OF the
black man. as well rs the white man We see
In il re-afhrmsnce OF the truth that all men are
: created equal, and endowed by their Creator
with certain inalieuable rights, among which
are life, liberty, and the pursuit OF happiness
We zee in it the Republic taking the side o.
the oppressed against the oppressor and seizlnl
the opportunity which treason gives it, to ban
i.h slavery irolu the national domain. And WI
see these things the less clearly because tn
F., President hesitated about the rigat or expedi
ency of declaring immediate and absolut
= emancipation, making it future and contin
e gent for the fact still remains hat il is rec
: ignition, on the part Of the Government, of tn
right of the slaves to their liberty, u RICH
which hencelorth the Republic stands pledged
in all legal and constitutional methods, to re
spect and defend.
A What will be the immediate or ultimate efie,
e of this measure, how far its influences wi
8 reach, and what it will accomplish remain fu
the future TO determine. But the people, VIII