The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-03-18
The Presidents Message.

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looking to the abolition of slavery in the
States. The proposition is entirely in
accordance with constitutional provis-
ions, simply proposing to assist the
States in efforts towards emancipation.
The argument, however, gees little
further, and in that every lover of his
country, every friend of humanity. has
cause for rejoicing. The measure is de-
clared to be. for The government one of
the most efficient measures OF self pres,
CREATION, and whatever, says the Presl-
dent, is found to be indispensable for
preserving the Union, must and will
come. 1t gives probably for the first time
in the history of the country, the author.
itative declaration of the President of
the United States, that it is desirable
that Slavery should cease TO erist IN the
1merican Union. How glorious an ad-
vance this is. 1t is only need(ul to look
back to the slavery extending alminis-
tration Of JIMMY BUCHANAN. 1t is hope
ful for the future 1t declares, what no
man can justly gainsay after the expert
ences of this rebellion, that slavery is
dangerous to the union and perpctuity
of our country and our institutions. To
break it down in the States is TO destroy
treason and the hope Of dissolution. 1t
is an avowal that will bring results.
With that idea as basis ofpolicy, what-
ever is right and just and constitutional
to do towards Kidding the country of this
foul blot upon us will be done. The
assurance will rejoice every friend Of
humanity, every lover Of human rights
all who sigh and strive for the eleva-
ton of mankind Its effect abroad will
be most salutary, aud it is most eifectu
al blow at Southern sympathy and South
ern influence in Europe. The House
has already adopted the resolution and
the Senate will promptly pass. We sub
nit the Message:
Fello,c- Citizens ofthe Senate and House Of Rep
resentatires: recommend the adoption Of
Joint resolution by your honorable bodies which
shall be substantially as follows
ResolUed, That the United States ought TO CO.
operate with any State which may adopt
gradual adjustment of slavery, giving to such
State pucuniaiy aid to be used by such State at
its discretion, TO compensate for the nconven-
fences, public and private, produced by such
change ofsystcm.
If the proposition contained in the resolution
docs not meet with the approval of Congress
and the country, there is the end but if it does
command such approval | deem it of import
ance that the States and people Immediately in
terested should be at once distinctly notified of
the fact, SO that they may begin to consider
whether to accept or re- ect it. The Federal
government would find its highest interest in
such measure as one of the most efficient
mea sures of self preservation The leaders of
the existing instruction entertain the hope that
the government will ultimately be forced to ac-
knowledge the independence of some part the
disaffected region, and that all slave States
north of such parts will then say, the Mon for
which we have struggled being already gone,
we now choose to go with them. To deprive
them Of this hope substantially ends the REBEL
ion, and the initiation of emancipation com
pletely deprves them Of 1t, as TO all the States
initiating. The point is not that all the States
tolerating slavery would very soon, if at all,
initiate emancipation but that while the offer
is equally made to all. the more Northern shall
by such initiation make il certain to the South
ern that in event sail the former Join the
latter in their proposed cOnfederacy.
say initiation because, in my judgment
gradual, and not sudden, vmanci patton is bet
Tar for all In the mere financial or pecunary
view, any member of Congress, with the Gems
US tables and the Treasury reports before him,
Il L.
current expenditures Of the war would purchase,
a a fair valuation, all the slaves in any named
State
Such proposition on the part OF the general
Government sets up claim or right by Fed
eral authority to intr ere VI slavery within
State limits, referring, it does the absolute
control of the subject in each ease to the State
and its people Immediately interested. 1t is
proposed rs a matter of perfectly free choice
with them. In the annual message last Deem.
Der, | thought fit to say the Union must be pre-
served, and hence all indispensable means must
be employed. l said this not hastily, but de-
liberately. War has been and continues to be,
an indispensable means to this end. A pract-
cal re Acknowledgements Of the national authority
would render the war unnecessary, and it
would at once cease. If, however, resistance
Comic 49,. -. =. :. - go - .ia and it is
impossible TO foresee all the incidents which
may attend, and all the ruin which may follow
Sueh as may seem indispensable, or may obvi- !
ousy promise greater efficiency towards end |
ing The struggle, must and will come.
The proposition now made is an offer only |
hope it may be esteemed no offense to ask
whether the pecuniary consideration rendered
woull not be of more value 10 the States and ,
private persons concerned than are the institu
ton and property in il, in the present aspect Of
affairs While it is true that the adoption of
the proposed resolution would be merely initia- !
tory, and not within itself practical measure,
it is recommended in the hope that it would /
sooner lead TO important results.
In fall view of my great responsibility to my
God and to my country earnestly beg the at
tention of Congress and the people to the sub
ject.
[Signedl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
New Hampshire Election.
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