Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-10-24

tue enemy was less extensive than that of
"a. ], but his statements tailed with the
latter's SO far as they went.
what a lIfs-Iong Democrat thinks OF
the Proclamation.
Letter from John ". Forney to the PhiIadslphIa
I WASHINGTON, October 81, 1862.
The Presidents proclamation, so bitter
ly ridiculed by the Breckenridge papers in
the Free States, and laughed at by the or
gan of the anti-slavery sentiment of Eng
land-the London Times-as of no more eE-
feet than mere waste paper, has created
the widest consternation in the seeded
States. The practical proof of the efficacy
of that great war measure comes directly
from the rebels themselves, who, in con-
Tossing that it is the severest blow they
have yet received, admit that, as slavery
has heretofore been their citadel, 1t is now
their weakest and most vulnerable point.
Many years ago, when the Abolitionists
we're in the habit of pointing out the hor-
rors of slavery, the politicians of the South
dwelt with melancholy pathos upon the
perils by which they were surrounded, and
protested against the efforts OF the anti
slavery men, because, as they alleged,
they would SOW the seeds of disunion
among their human property aud excite
q serVile insurrectiou. The mere fumor
of opposition to slavery made the sIavehol-
der tremble at that distant day; but as the
institution became more powerful and prof
table, these appreheusions were lost in the
presense of that Northern party SEN
timent which, operating upon by personal
interest and national feeling, made il one
OF the governing elements Of the country.
If slavery did not at once become divine,
IL afs,ty, cd tt,n 6 - g
iufallibility. Directly aHd indirectly il
managed conventions, manipulated politi.
clans, nominated and mastered Presidents,
aud shaped and decided the internal aud
international policy of the Government
The mere surmise shat the slaves were not
devoted to their masters, or that slavery
should not be carried into every foot Of new
territory, was made the cause of excommu.
ntcation from the Democratic church, and
the text of more than one terrific anathe-
ma against all who dared offend the high
priests who ministered at the altar
of the peculiar institution. And, in
good sooth. these preteusious SEEM
ed to be we'll founded; for, until the election
of Mr.. Lincoln, they were asserted with
haughtiness on the one side, and submitted
to with pusillauimity on the other. But
even when that event ttranspired-ane event,
shareholders themselves-they demonstra-
ted anew their sublime confidence in the
strength of slavery, and la the numerous
facilitiesit supplied to them, by boldly ta-
king up arms against Federal authority,
and, as a minority people, assuming to put
down and crush out not only the Govern.
ernment itself, but the vigorous races Of the
free States who are indissolubly identified
with it. For more than a year and half
we have maintained this war. They have
exhibited great energy, great skill, and un-
common military genius, calling forth all
the resources of the loyal States to protect
the Government, aud taxing to the utter
most the powers Of the constituted author
tiles themselves. Slavery had indeed been
an Overwhelming, and up to this time,a sue
oessful weapon against private and public
freedom. The men who trembled and grew
pale before the theories Of few Abolition
lists thirty years ago, have, up to the period
of the proclamation of the President of the
United States, forfeiting, all rebel property
in slaves after the first of January next, sue
cessfully defined and trampled under foot
the most sacred obligations aud at last have
put the Republic itself in deadly PERIL
But the proclamation seems to have chang
ed this confidence and restored them to
their original condition Of disqnietude and
fear. They do not regard it In the light of
the London Times as mere waste paper, nor
ace they troubled with the constitutional
doubts that disturbed the visions of North
cen sympathizers and traitors, They be-
hold it as a real, palpable, and approach
ing danger. They read its effect at their
own firesides, and in the glances of their
own slaves. The imaginary pictures ofthe
scenes that might have followed the efforts
of the laughed.a at Abolitionists thirty years
ago, are now looming up before them
in grand and natural proportions. Add
ed to the suferings they have inflicted
upon themselves, comes the new aud inde-
scribRble dread of seryile insurrection a
dread preceded by stampedes from their
plantations, and probably increased and
intensified by the Presidents proclamatiou,.
Aud all that is necessary to alarm a South
ern household is the mere rumOr of q negro
slave country, as all recent evidence
has shown, has at last realized that the
Government has discovered the true secret,
of the overthrow .ot the rebellion. Il may
be that the last telegraphic news of rising
at Oulpepper is u mere ednpTd, but, in the
present condition of the Southern mind, a
cdndrd may produce as much disaster aud
as much CONSERVATION as a bloody in,
surrection itself. The Southern slave
holders must now not only raise troops to
keep back the Union forces, but to guard
their own thresholds against servile insur,
rection aud il this direful curse should
come upon them, they must not blame
Lincoln or the loyalpeople of the United
States. They have had full warning. They
still have time TO repent 10 return to their
allegiance, and to abandon their rebellion.
Ifthey. should fail in this, it viii be their
OWN fault. m
APleasant-oompanton.