The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-11-29

I Now, then, tell me, If you please, What
possible result Of good would follow tbs
issuing Of such proclamation as you de-
sireS Understand. raise no objection,
to 1t, on legal or constitutional grounds
for as Commander-in.C Chief Of the Army
and Navy, in time of war, suppose
have a right to take any measure which
may subdue the enemy. Nor do | urge
objections Of a moral nature, in view o.
possible consequences Of instruction and
massacre at the South. view the mat
ter as practical war measure, to be de
cided upon according to the advantages
or disadvantages it may offer to the sup
preston Of the rebellion.
After remarks by the delegation, the
President further replied:
! admit that slavery is the root Of the
rebellion, or at least its sine qua non.
The ambition Of politicians may have in
S!igated them to act, but they would
have been impotent without slavery as
their instrument. | will also concedc
that emancipation would help us in Eu.
rope, and convince them that we are in
cited b. sa.4>.iE...,, ! de2,G1n ambition.
I grant further, that ir would help some
what at the North. though not so much,
| fear, as you and those you represent
imagine. Still, some additional strength
would be added in that way to the war.
And then unquestionably it would weaken
the rebels by drawing off the laboters,
which is Of great importance but | ain
not so sure we could do much with the
black.
five were TO arm them, ] fear that in
a Eew weeks IKE MINIS wound De iw SNe
hands of the rebels; and indeed thus far
we have not had arms enough ID equip
our white troops. will mention anoth-
or thing, though it meet only scorn and
contempt. There are $4,000 bayonets in
the Union army from the border slave
States. It would be serious matter il,
in consequence of proclamation such as
yon desire, they should go over to the
rebels. do not think they all would
not so many indeed as year ago, or as
six months ago-not SO many to-day as
Yesterday. Every day increases their
Union feeling. They are also getting
pride enlisted, and want to beat the reb-
els. Let Inc say one thing more-l
think you should admit that we already
have an important principle to rally and
unite the people, in the fact that Consti-
tutional Government is ut stake. This is
a fundamental idea, going down about as
deep as anything.
CoNcEDED.-It is conceded by all intel
ligent and conservative men, who are
more attached to country than to party,
that the present national crisis demands
a restoration Of the old Democratic party
that party to which DUR country is in
dcbted for its prosperity, grcat"esS and
glory. Upon its success depends the
restoration Of the Union-thc prescrva-
ton of the Constitution, which makes
the Union. Its code Of principles is pc
culiarly and completely adapted to such
a saving and restoring work. The spirit
Of allegiance to the Constitution which
pervades it, is just the temper which the
times demand. 1t is eminent!y the con-
stitutiOnal party of the country; and the
one thing which the country needs is the
preservation of the Constitution. We
may say, with almost literal truth, take
care Of the Constitution, and the CuOn
will take care Of Itself. The Union is to
be permanently preserved, not by bands
and chains of iron, nor by bayoncts and
cannon balls and large armies and Bias.
tiles, but by the strict observance Of the
Constitution. The Democratic party is
especially qualified for this great work Of
national salvation, because its principles
are peryaded by the one all controlling
sentiment of loyalty to the Constitution.
1t has ever been a distinguishing feature
Of that party to abide by and be controll-
ell by the " supreme law Of the land"
Members Of that party know no "hisher
law" in secular affairs than it, and
they have always yielded to it willing
obedience. They have never talked of
overriding it, or pushing through it,,
as prominent members of the doniDan,
party have. Acknowledging it to be the
supreme law Of the land" governed by
and respecting it, the Democracy, in this,
its hour Of peril, are everywhere ralying
to its Suppo. t, chcered by the encourage
ment of conservative men Of other par
ties who will assist them in protecting it
from violation. Restore that party to
power and all will be well, is the excla-
nation Of all really loyal American citi-
zcns.
LACK OF firmneSS, or capacity, or hon
esty, at the head of our national affairs,
is the reason for our present national dis
grace Morning Call.
The head of national affairs did not
lack capacity or honesty" but simply
- tirInnpSS n-Sacramcntn Rec