The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-03
The Pres. of Maine ON the Presidents
Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation.
The great heroic word has been spoken. The
act has been performed, which will make the
AJministr.tion OF Abraham Lincoln Industrious
through future centuries. That which the 10y
nj North has tor weary months 80 ardently, yet
patiently desired, has been granted. The step
which the unconditional friends Of the Union,
North and South, East and West, have seen in
eyitably necessary 10 the defeat Of the rebel
lion, and the salvation of the country, has been
taken By the Executive Head Of the Nation.
The starry Gag which our fathers gave us as
the emblem Of our nationality. Is no longer Ia
shelter human bondage on land and on the
seas, Tut Is to bear into all climes the highest
Interpretation, and the loftiest testimony in be-
half Of Democratic liberty. The march OF
events will keep pace with the advancing spirit
OF our rulers, and at no distant time. America
will cease TO be the land Of slaves, and be the
home Of the freest, mightiest and most pros
porous republic the world eser saw. The boon
VI this glorious emancipation will be as great
to the white as TO the black race and prove the
mighty regenerating power ofthe South.-hsH-
ns6sc Journal.
We hardly need say 20 our readers that we
see this proclamation with regret, and We think
this Is the feeling with the grrat majority OF our
people Aaairs in this terrible struggle appear
Go us TO be Sufficiently complicated already,
without having any additional cause Of contro-
versy aud distraction thrown in. We would to
God that this may not prove such, but we fear
il will.
In regard TO the proposed emancipation proc
lamatiOn 10 be issued on the first Of January
next, northern people will ask but two ques
tons let, 10 the exercise or attempt To eKer-
else such de-Potic military power on the part
OF the commander iu-chief Of the United States
forces justified by the constitution which he has
sworn 90 support, and la accordance with the
usages OF civilized warfare! aud III, will il all
the Union cause! IL We believed both these
questions could he correctly answered in the
affirmative, the regret we feel in the PROPOSED
action Of the President would be changed 10
unminglsd qualification. But We cannot 50 see
IL. Hence our apprehensions.--frgUs.
This proclamation will sound the dcath-kncll
of the hopes Of the rebellion for foreign utter
yention. for IL will place our Government ia a
position where Interference With it, work viii
be interlerence for the protection Ot slavery
position which NO European monarch dare &C.
cupy In the face Of his own subjects IL will
also dispel the last hope Of success of the rebel
leaders, for il changes at one tell stroke four
millions OF people from friends hbOring a. Hll
the rebellion, "a enemies who must be watched. |
The tlorning breaks! The beginning OF the |
cnd u rebellion i clearly seen. We hight nov |
with God and humanity clearly on our side,
and who can resist Us. Rally, every citizen,
around the Administration aud the Govern
ment, the stars and stripes above Us and God
with US, strike for Liberty and Union, aud the
victory il ours l-LsirtsfOH Jour.
BY many, Il has been construed into proc
iamation tor the abolition Of slavery and Of the
slave institution in the rebel States. But Il is
not 50. IL acts only upon the persons otssNes
present during the existence Of the rebellion,
aud assumes not To blot cut the institution from
the statute books Of the States, when created.
When the rebellion shall cease, and the States
shall be restored To their legitimate jurisdiction
then the institution will resume its vitality,
though skeleton, until replenishcl with sub
jects 10 act upon. Perhaps il may prove fatal
20 all chance for the renewal Of IL. But IL so,
the theory Of the Presidents proclamation is
that such Is the consequence Of the rebellion,
not Of any assumed power of the Federal Gov
eminent To destroy the legitimate Institutions of
a State.
but we have no faith in the efficacy of pa
per proclamation Of liberty "a any considerable
nuflntr OF Slaves IN Tue NOuius Nullt tnt
States are 50 hndered an defeated, and praeti- |
caT'y powerless in all their efforts hitherto, To
manacle the treason OF the slave owners. Could
we whip the traitors. we should see ourselves
in a condition 10 free their slaves, II disposed.
We may call spirits from the Vastly deep, and
yet, while we are powerless to compel their ap-
pearance. will they come!
Greatly would We rejoice to see the south in
undated by paper proclamation OF destruc-
ton TO their slave property, although the roar
OF ten hundred thousand musketry and cannon
and half q million sharpened bayOnets could
produce no such eject upon them.
But our faith Is not so great as the sire Of the
smallest OF seeds, that any such reyulsOn a. Is
promised, will 80 easily De produced in the
hopes and prospects Of rebel wickedness. We
believe oar brave soldiers have yet TO fight
many hard and bloody battle, and the indus
try and prosperity OF our citizens have TO be
yet visited with many new sacrifice, ere we
conquer peace with the South. But Il can.
and il must be done, or history viii write anew
that the "grave Of liberty Is the birth place Of
despOtism. Portland .fdreriiSer.
The condition OF the country called for some
additional power 20 all In crushing out the re-
belhOn In the slave States, aud doubtless the
President felt that this course was imperatiyely
demanded. as the only means len untried 10
bring the owners Of the slaves 10 terms. Their
loyalty having been repeatedly appealed 20 in
vain, Mr.. Lincoln now tries what virtue there
is ia testing their love for their peculiar prop-
erty. As the South have claimed AMI demon
stratel that they can put into the field, AMI by
means Of the labor Of their slaves, maintain
much larger force In proportion 20 their popu-
latiOu than the NOrth-it follows that slavery Is
an element Ofstrength to the confederate States.
10 rysler this strength weakness we take 90
be the object OF the emancipation proclamation.
II will have q Wholesome iuiuenee abrOa!,
fact which shOnld not be lost sight OF ia this
great national exigency. rs the public miud
becomes more flnitnriIel With the provisions
of the proclamation IL will gain IN favor and
popularity. Portland COurisr.