Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-10-31
JTDGE PARSONS ON THE FRO
CLAMATION.

We have not seen a mora compact anC
pointed argument for the right Of the Prasi
dent 20 ISSUE his Emancipation !soclalaa.
ton, than tha, Of Judge Parsons of Massa,
cau-ssts. It IS addressed TO the Boston, Dali.
Adgerhser We give it below
TheTe are three questions concerning the
PIe-ilent's Emancipation Proclamation. One
las DE constitutional power 70 issue 1t as a
civil, political or administrative act? The
teconj, was it ezYedicnt? The third, has lie
constitutional power as Commander -ln-chief
10 issue il, At thi- time, as military act?
tbs questions are perfectly distinct. One
If the must common aud most fruitful causes
It error upon al subjects, is the mingling ,
question: which are distinct IN themsel -.
hut So near each other that they c, -
each other.
Jadse Curt, mingles these % .t.... .-
entirely. THAT DO study Of his p ,s,rsiet sro'
bes m- 10 zee clearly as to u a., III. ',,-
Sumeuf, upon which Of tho q oucs,;a ms :, i
intended 90 hear.
let Us separate these roestion,
AID -nre that The President has no power
To u-'1'i'a'e ezic Save, as a civil, phi
" Us II CAV ssient? leave this question to
tte l'S' ~. For he Is honest, he is capa-
"e ." rss csn-Iierei the question long,
care .oi Y and painfully. and in all the reia-
SIS iu which it can present itself. How
ever wise may be, or Judge Curtis may be-,
0a shI- sltjeoT tte President must be wiser.
.r abb 5ula, ef probability lail.
As ta the remaining question, have not
-ll slightest doubt # his constitutional pow
or a- Commander in-Chiei, 10 issue this pro
-lamateu % O. military act.
IT Halleck, when before Corinth. might
have sent force "a hundred miles 70 catch
and bring into las lines o hundred negroes
with the wagons. horses. and urov.sI1us
they were bringing O. Bsaufecarl. the Pre-
sideat and C9mmauder-iu-ChI-i. sitting in
she caater. with WIDER views, wider neces-i-
tics. and wider lights 10 meet these necessi-
ue-, may % be can, prevent the whole mass
81 slaves IRON ie'1rIuE to feed the rebellion.
lie may, % te can, hy the danger Of insur-
Iccu0u, or starvation, OF 0i loss Of property,
.r,-u tie Rebels and drive their armies
home
a., sy oihcrEI-s would be 10 say that be
might strike al rea.il0n, but mus, b. care
iui tot 10 strike away Its cornerstone.
Can he do n ID tact? line question touches
the =. CHENEY q the measure, and this |
leave So u.In. Bot 10 does not touch his milf
ta.y ri-.i to ttr,0teH De-. 8nd do 1t il be- can
Juac- Curtis -Ie4L= much and eloq 1rntly
ID Jhe President riEhttJ Inaict penalty"
and punishment, and the rights q the
Rebels 90 che protection Of the law
Rebellion has no rights Il rebellion means
anything it means the remuneration and des
jruciIJu VI all l4w. AID therefore 70 Is ac-
cured before G3I and man
NJ te5ai .-- ..-y ris :. gard 10 " hich
should WraSeu 90 aistrGct any military mea
sure needed % blue tie rebellion.
Judge CuTus argument would give the
CONSTITUTION and gGe .ls 90 tue Rebel, as
,hyir SWORD 90 siniJs wi,h and their suield to
save iasu, and leave 10 20 US only as u f,ttcr
Then Le tells Us he innocent must suffer
~Ith tie guilty. lbIs is true. and il is sad.
Bot 'r.ea the mingled tire and hail of Gods
vengeance Iun along The ground, they pur-
sue DO devious path thSt they may leave the
homes ut tAe Inulceut unframed for when
national siu- bring rational ca,amitics. the
Inngc.u. settler with tho guilty. This may be
oaa Sd .la mysteries 90 Providence; 1t Is. at
al events, iac'. And what has ben viii b..
THEOPHlLUS PARSONS
C7a.iuage.