The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-04-12
The London Press on the Presidents
Emancipation Policy.

The London Press on the President,
Emancipation Policy.
From the London Times, March 90.
The intelligence from America which
we publish to-day is the most important
| which has reached this country since the
| United States split into two republics
| The hrst offer has been made by the North.
PRESIDENT Lincoln proposes to abolish
slavery IN the South by gradually buying
up the slaves with the Federal revenues,
leaving, however, to each State its present
right to continue or to discard the "insti-
tutor" itself The object is avowed TO be
that of recovering to the Union the border
States. The means of purchase are not
set forth. 1t is only suggested that a con
tinuance Of the expenditure now applied
to the war would soon suffice to purchase
this expedient of peace. This proposition
is important, not for its intrinsic likelihood
Of acceptance, but simply because it is a
proposition, and is the first bid made
wards putting an end to the war We
may hope that others may follow. and
that the North may gradually rise in its
offers until something acceptable has been
pnt forth The only reply of the South
TO Mr.. Lincoln has been resolution OF
the Confederate House OF Representatives
to barn all cotton and tobacco that may
be in danger Of falling into the hands OF
the invaders. Meanwhile the snow has
fallen on the district that separates the
armies Of the Potomac and Manassas, and
General Mcclellan is again prevented from
advancing In every point of view this
proposal of the Federal President gives
great scope for speculation, and perhaps
some glimpse OF hope; but it is for what
it may herald, and not for what it is.
rro:a the London Star, March 90.
President Lincoln has sent message
to Congress which will secure for him the
warmest sympathy and admiration of the
civilized world. He proposes that the two
houses should, by joint resolution, offer
10 cooperate with the slave States for the
gradual emancipation OF the slave pOpula-
ton. He advocates this proposition by
arguments which are irresistible. He
points out that this measure is one of the
mos. efficient Of seifpreservation and
that, If adopted by the more northern
States, il would ALLEVIATE them permanently
from the Southern Confederacy, and so
break the neck of the rebellion. While
not claiming for the Federal government
the right to interfere within State limits,
the President significantly remarks that,
if resistance to the national authority con
tinues, it is impossible TO foresee what
may take place. Such means as may
seem Indispensable or may obviously pro
mise great efficiency towards ending the
struggle, must and will come This is an
unmistakable hint 10 those who persist in
rebellion to put their house in order. Nr
Lincoln, in the form of an interrogatory,
suggests whether the compensation offered
would not be of more value to the States
and persons concerned than the institu-
ton of slavery in the present aspect OF
affairs. The message appears to have been
well received by TIE more Influential
organs of the press, and We shall wait with
great interest for the debates which il
/ must occasion within the walls of Congress.
I Ii is impossible to eEaCgerate the import
ance of this document or the momentous
character Of the issues which are involved
| in the propositions which it contains Ii
| Is, at all cveuts, an Indication that the
dawn OF emancipation j. not remote, and
that the government Of the United States
are prepared TO carry cut that great act
of justice by wise aud peaceful means.
Prom ;he Liverpool Post, Narcl 20.
Mr.. Lincoln has sent to Congress a mes
sage SO startling that II has ai.-1T-St=
pended discussion at Washington, the
different partie, being afraid to meddle
with it till they discover the tendency OF
public opinion However it may be even
,uaiiy receided ia America, there eau be
no doubt that il viii have an inca.culable
effect in Europe, and that effect will be
most favorable to the norlhernern cause.
Hitherto every European conatry has jus.
tilted its leaning to the South, or It's apa,
thy towards the North, on the ground
that the Federal government was not
honestly or heartily opposed to slavery.
TO that serious imputation the new mes
sage of President Lincoln is a direct
answer, for he proposes scheme which
will initiate that is The word he himself
selects-the entire emancipation of the
negroes.