New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-20
GEN. HUNTER OvERRULED.

GEN. HUNTER OvEBBULED.
The President has decided to rescind or
modify Gen. Hunters Order setting free oil
the slaves in his Military Department. 1t was
his right TO do So and We bow to his decision.
We cannot doubt that Gen. Hunter judged
wisely and acted noby so far as tho prosperity
of the Union cause in his own District was
concerned We do not believe the President
holds a different opinion. But it is his duty
TO survey the whole ground, to determine
what is best not for three States only, but to
insure the triumph of the Union cause every
where. And from bis decision there is no
appeal.
But we entreat the President now to con-
slider aud act upon the manifest necessity Of
having definite, unvarying, clearly understood
policy with regard TO this subject. On behalf
Of the whole People We demand an unequyocal
official answer to these questions" What shall
be the future condition of the slave of Rebel
who escapes from the dOminioDs of JEFF. Davis
and comes within the lines Of our armies +"
b" What Of those slaves who are abandoned by
their Re6A masters fleeing before the advancing
hosts Of the Union?" what of the slave
whose Rebel master remains with him until
beth are cuveloped by the Union forces
These questions are eminently and urgently
practical. They are inevitably passed upon
daily by commanders Of departments, OF divis.
ions, OF posts. And there are about as many
variant answers as decisions. One commander
welcomes all that come to him, treats them as
,nen, and gets the best work he can out Of
them. Another until Congress peremptorily
forbade it) sent them back to their Rebel
masters a third refuses them admission to
bis lines at all. No matter how important
how essential, may be the information they
he orders them back TO the Rebels. Had Gen.
iIaileck instead Of Gen. Hunter been in com.
nand at Port Royal last week, the heroic
negroes who brought the Rebel-owned dispatch
steamboat Planter away from Charleston wharf,
piloted her through the Rebel vessels and
under the guns of their forts with the
Confederate and Palmetto flags flying, aud
finally hosted q white flag and thus bore down
on the blockading feet handing Der over 4
good prize, with Elk capital cannon on board.
would have TO be thrust back into Slavery,
with their women aud children. Dir. Lincoln
cannot intend this yet this is the DRIFT of
Gen. Haeck's Order, which stands unreyoked
unmodifSd to-day. True, there ara no
Democrats nor Borders State men 10 raise q
clamor against it but it is no less shameful
and damaging than if there were.
Let no one be discouraged nor alicnated
because of this Presidential step. Mr. Lincoln
ONLY reserves to himself as Commander Chief
the power to proclaim the Abolition OF Slavery.
1t is not without purpose that he refers to
the definite solemn proposal" made BY him.
self to the Border States on the 9th Of
March, and adopted by large maorities in
both Houses of Congress. lie beseeches'
them to accept that proposal, warns them not
to be blind to the signs of the times" If
thew are deaf to his earnest words they aud the
whole country may know what to expect. The
Stars in their courses fight against" Slavery. apd
its doom is sure. Every gun fred in this
struggle, no matter on which side, no natter
what else it hits or misses, lodges = ball in
the carcuse of the writing monster. Man
may hesitate or vacillate, but the judgment
of God is sure, and under that judgment
Slavery reels to its certain downfall.
0DnD-Bo@Eu0s1ss1
I'll. PuIt;mor, CyipDer n Thoroughly Iowa.