The Lansing state Republican., 1862-11-12

The presses Of the Sham Democracy through
cot the North. and the loco foco speakers. from
every stump, during the recen, poll ical cam
paig., have attacked the Presidents Proclama-
ton, emancipating the slaves OF rebels ia certa L
districts, on the firss day of January next; a.
measure not justified BY military necessity, and
uacoassitutional in itself; but We have, as vet,
ssen o. heard nothing but defamation upon the
subject In no one instance, to our knowledge,
has any man pointed oss the provision Of the
constitution that vas violated by tha, Proclana-
ton, or given any reason, or made any argument
in favor Of the proposition that the measure was
unconstitutional. We invited discussion upon
the subject some time ago, in these columns, bat
have not found champion willing to enter the
lists, and oontead manfully BY argument, against
. measure which they are 50 ready by Wholesale
dsnunciasion 10 assail, We again invite our
Democratic expounders of the Law, to sit down
with ns, and let Us reason together. We take
the position that there is no provision of the
Constitution of the United States which is viola.
ted, either in its letter or spirit, by the Presi
dent's Proclamation of Emancipation That ii
ID entirely justified by that instrument, as q
means, and the most efficient means of putting
down the rebellion, and thus saving the const
tuition itself from destruction. We insist tha,
eli the means known to civilized warfare may be
resorted to by the government, to put down the
rebellion, and maintain ITSELF and that it is moi
con6ned to the provisions of its constitution
made to govern the people in time Of peace, fol
the means Of repeling invasion or suppressine
insurrection or rebellion; but that the just Law
Of nature, the law Of self preservation, which il
applicable to governments as well as individuals
stands higher than the constitution. and justife
wing the government.
We maintain, further, that it is the most phil
ossphieal and natural way to suppress the re
bellion. Slavery stands as the chief cause OF th,
rebellion, and the only sure remedy for any evil
10 to remove the cause of it. Again, il is tn,
great sustaining porer of the rebellion, it
strength and its support. 1t is their strength
undistarbed. We may make it their weakness
BY disturbing it. They would be utterly help
lees without it, and by all the rules Of civilize,
warfare We are justified in removing it. It i
justified upon the same grounds that block ad
10 justified. 1t cuts off the supplies of the enc
my, and weakeus him without blood shed. 1t i
more humane than actual conflict with the enc
my, and therefore approved by all civilized n.
tions, - justiisble mode of warfare.
II our opposers have any arguments to op
pose against these views, We desire them to brn
them out, that the people may judge of the mat
ter und derstandingly. Mere assertion and declam
alton will not take the place of logic in the mind
Of the thinking masses, upon q subject of sucl
vast importance as the Presidents Piocalma
ton. We demand the reasons of opposition {,
that measure, before the time when the law shal
take effect If not given before that time, tn
Government aud the People. will require oppo
sers forever thereafter to hold their peace