Smyrna times., 1862-09-04
The President and Slavery,

The pth and essence of President Lincoln's letter
to Mr. Greeley is. that he regards Slavery and every
thing Ielating to it subordinate 10 the preservation
Of the Union. He does not intend to regulate his |
policy by his opinions concerning Slavery, either
way. He will not seek primarily preserve it, nor
to destroy it, to affect it in any manner. As an
end of the war-he has nothing to do with Slavery.
What he seeks is the preservation of the Union
not the preservation the destruction of Slavery
But he holds Slavery subordinate to the Union-not
superior to it, and he will use it to save the
Union, if possible If preserving Slavery will save
the Union. he will preserve it, if destroying Slavery
will save the Union, he will destroy it. The Union
is the main thing. 1t is the sole object for which
the is waged Everything else. Slavery included
and Abolition included, must yield to it.
This is President Lincolns position and it differs
essentially from that Of the Aboltionists the
hand, and the Proslavery Constitutionalists," az
they call themselves. on the ether. The former
make Emancipation end paramount to the
preservation Of the Union. They would not accept
the old Union, with the old guarantees of the Const
tution if they could have il. They for the Union
| provided thsy have it with emancipation but
they would prefer emancipation witlou the Union
| TO the Union without emancipation. Al present
their great poat is 10 coercs the President into
abOlshing Slavery. the ground this is the way to
ED the var and save the Union. knowing all the
while that with this tAsir point will be gained what.
ever may become Of the Union. Whether the war
is ended or not. and whether the Union is saved or
not. their paramount object will have been secured
and this 10 all they care for.
The Pro.savery stickeTs for the Constitution take
exactly opposite ground. They would not abolish
Slavery sven to preserve the Union Senator Brown
ing. Of Illinois. took this ground distinctly in a
speech at Quincy. the other day. He declared he
would not vote for emancipation, sven i he knsu
taGt emancipation would end the W0r. The lat'
Democratic meeting in Philadelphia. takes the sAm'
ground, and proposes to overthrow the Administra.
ton upon IL This makes Slavery paramount to th
Constitution, and its preservation paramount to th
preservation of the Union. 1t is, substantially, tn
ground held for years by the PrO-Savery zsalots
the Southern Siates-the very position for which
they have been contendng since the days of Calhoun
and which they are now fighting to establish. ]
makes slavery the cornerstone of the Republic, an
sacrifices to its interests the liberties and rights
the American people. The spirit whsh prompts
h ia in thorough sympathy with the secession move
e ment. and would vote tomorrow, on principle, fo
e ths Constitution and Government of jeff Davis i
reference to that Of the United Stsss if it could
e SO With the slightest hope ofsuccess.
President Lncons position differs radically froI
ID both. Slavery i'll all aspects its present position
a future fate. its preservation and its abolition every
is thing relating to it, is held steadily and rgdly sui
ne ordinate to the Union. That must be preserved.
G. all hazards and by whatever may BIO require
n So long it may seem TO the President that mol
Ii interference With Slavery will aid in preserving Il
ut Union. long will he abstain from interfering vii
DIS it. While there pre- Union shareholders TO be co
~ cated while there is any considerable Pro-Slsve
sentiment in the country friendly 70 the Union. an
therefore, entitled to respect. regard for the Uni
be dictates he policy of non-intererence. But if Il
policy shall fail TO produce the desired result,
no. be abandoned. When it shall become evident Il
H. there is Union sentiment among the slaVsh0lds
sc, that the whole power and weight Of Slavery
hostile 20 the Union--snd that emancipation, part
nd complete, will weaken the rebel power and hast
90 it's overthrow, then the President will resort to
The -
md Emancipation as one of sSpsdisDsy--tO be decid
according TO circumstances and by its bearing VI
is the preservation Of the Union. r..
IDS We have never hitherto seen reason to believe
ra- decree ofemancpation would strengthen the I'm
by arms or essentially weaken the rebels and theref
the we have not urged it. We do see. however, vs
distinctly, that the time js rapidly approaching wl
nth our GoDernBsDt tOiH BE- in position TO make such
ice, decree Elective. and whsn it may be made thsref
the to inaict = terrible blow upon the rebel pow
In When We shall have a million Of men in tbs Fl,
OF and shAl have crushed the main rebel army in
like GINA, shall have ths physical power to emar
rely pate The Southern slavss--and tbe President
fear thep very well announce his determination to
te free the slaves Of svafy man who shall not forthw
not resume his allegiance to the Constitution of the
ted States. Such proclamation. backed up by
this Pewsr 90 snfores il, ssd coming 40 q tims W
q Fsssssass shall have sse9ps hopeless, viii cspml
Rs WV Ml