The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-25
Mlstrllaneous,
Progresses.

We are in favor OF "freedom throughout
Gods heritage" and of achieving 1t in this
country in any mode which consists with the
organic law. There are those who profess
warm desire for this consummation, but are
never ready for any active measures tending
20 secure il. They bemoan the evils OF sla-
very, but see no safe mode of removing them.
They acknowledge that the institution eats
into the life Of the Government, corrupting
and poisoning its blood, but there must be
NO application of the knife or cautery. The
evil must be left 20 correct itself. We must
lsayo IL where the fathers LEFT il, with the
people Of the localities where it exists, and
trust to those who practice the wrongs the
work Of eradicating them. II "philan-
thropic partisans" and ambitious politicians
would leave Sambo alone, we arc assured
that events would take care OF the negro
question. We have great faith in events
one has lust transpired in the United States
Senate, which is Of most hopeful charac-
tor. and seems TO us direct step toward the
solution Of this veIed question. We alluie
20 the passage Of the bill abolishing slavery
in the District of Columbia. This measure
In no sense conflicts with the Constitution
IL is an act of justice to the negro, an act
demanded by the people, and its consequen-
ces cannot DO other than beneficial. But 1t
docs not suit some gentlemen who are in Ia.
yor Of .freedom throughout Gods heritage"
because means something and accom-
plishes something. Washington, the capital
of the nation, is free-free IRON the Poiiu-
tion and disgrace Of slayery-the baroarous
code Of laws by which the district has been
governed Is repealed-and the experiment OF
emancipation, thorough aud Immediate, OF
the success of which wo have no doubt, is to
be tried. Other events are in progress
events which ambitious politicians cannot
arrest, and which the freemen Of this coun-
try DO, ire To aid and hasten.
1t is easy to say there is no reason to ap-
prehcnd danger from the future political in
iluenco of slavery. But this Is not true. The
POLITICAL influence Of slavery to-day Is full OF
danger. Politicians at the North are count
ing upon that influence as an element Ot
power in the future. and are looking to fresh
alliances with il. And these are the men
who are 30 hostile 10 any movement which
shall weaken the power Of slavery, and who
in rotund but unmeaning phrase talk Of
prosecuting the war with the single purpose
OF restoring the Government to its full pow
er and securing its future permanency, us IL
this could be done and yet leave the institu-
ton Of slavery where the rebellion found 1t.
And yet they tell us "eyents will take care
OF the slavery question" Now, we desire
not only to throw no obstacle in the way OF
these events, but To do all in our power to
shape them. For these events are not to he
the result of mere fatalism, but ot Intelli
gent action. We know not precisely how
thew are 10 be reached. what particular ne
cessi,ies may precede and hasten them; but
we deem il not unwise 10 contemplate the
possibility aud probability Of their happen
,nv. and thus be prepared for them. Thus
we believe must fully that not only will the
future political power Of slavery be broken,
hut the institution itself is doomed. And
this. because in our Judgment the restoration
of the Government to its full power and ;he
securing its future permanency, the single
purpose we have in yisw, necessarily involve
ihese. We therefore rjoicc at the recentac'
ton Of the United States Senate-at the pas
sage Of the act iorbidding officers OF the army
To return the fugitive slaves OF rebels-at
, every stsp taken by the military authorities
TO emancipate the slaves of those in arms
against the Union-in TACT, at every move
msnt which promises the realization Of the
hopes Of the founders Of the republic. The
Administration is moving with caution. but
we think with a firm purpose to put down
the rebsllion. There are no precedents to
guide its action; and there are instances in
which il Is called upon to assume grave re-
rponsibilities and adopt measures " hich alarm
che timid and time-serying. This was done
in the establishment Of u military govern
meut in tho State OF Tsnnessee; coorss
which must bs pursued in other States, and
continued until loyal men within them revive
their State constitutional organizations: In
fact, whatever obstacles exist to the full ex
crciss OF the national authority must DO 10
moved. The President has distinctly stated
this. Believing that slavery Is one Of thess
obstacles, is in fact the great obstacle, vi