Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-25
The practical Force of the Proclamation.


The Practical Force of the Proclamation.
Some of the men whose self-ordained mis-
sion it has been to sustain president Lincoln
against the republicans do not seem very
heartily to endorse his proclamation. They
do not attack him directly. for that would Sc
riously diminish their rather limited stock in
trade. but they content themselves with de-
claring that the proclamation is kind of nee
essary peace offering to the abolitionists, and
can never produce any practical results. In
this view of the matter, although they vince
a little, they are inclined to submit with the
best of grace possible, and we trust will still
find way ''to aid the chosen and constituted
head of the nation, the president in his patri-
otto and self sacrificing labors to save the
country and put down the rebellion" They
surely will not ''Mrn from him in cold
ness, or palsy his efforts with a feeble and
half confidence" although these efforts tend
to emancipation.
But we do not agree with these gentlemen
in the opinion that the proclamation Is to prove
mere words, impractical, and without result.
On the contrary we regard it as eminently
practical. 1t is practical because it establish
es a national policy. Heretofore there have
been differences of opinion, discussions in the
press varying and inconsistent action on
the part of generals, and other manifestations
of doubtful and unstable policy. All these
Tho Y,rociIaOt boe
what course to pursue, and all loyalmen must
sustain him. Ninety days more of grace.
During these we may hope at least, that our
armies will successfully roll back the ragged
and half starved hordes which have burst from
the southern states under the pressure of dire
necessity, and confine the rebellion to its orig
inal limits-then the proclamation of freedom
to the slave will be made. We are told upon
good authority that the slaves have channels
Of communication with one another through
out the south. The glad news will roll
through these channels, a sound of JOY to the
oppressed and of terror to the oppressor.
Who can doubt the practical result. Girt in
by land and sea, with four millions of human
beings within its borders, who will find free
dom in its defeat and suppression, the days of
the rebellion will be numbered.
But the proclamation is practical farther
than in its effects upon the relative physical
strength of the combatants. 1t adds to us a
moral strength. The nation stands pledged
to the freedom of all the slaves in rebel states
upon the first day OF next January.
The president has said that these slaves
''Shatt be thencefor1eard and forerer free .
To this result, mighty nation, with unex-
ampled resources, million men in arms, and
million more waiting for the summons, with
navy which the world will not be able t.
match, stands pledged through ''its chosel
and constituted head the president"
Vice President Stevens has declared tina
slavery is the corner stone of the souther
confederacy. President Lincoln proclaim
freedom throughout the rebel states. Onl
victory will be wanting to make that procla
nation a fact. Now it is mighty practica
result thus to define the contest. We are be
fore the world the avowed champions of free
dom, they of slavery No Misrepresentation
of ignorance or of prejudice can conceal thi
position. If England OF France decides Il
take part in this war against the north j
will do it in the full knowledge that it j
lending its aid directly to the support of slave
ry. We believe that there is too much de
mocracy in the world at the present day t.
allow war waged by its friends against it
enemies to fail of success.
The proclamation then unites the north il
decided and harmonious policy. 1t take
slavery from the south, and gives new aid t
the north For little while under the cor
troll of superior force, slaves may continue
build forts and raise food for the rebels, b.
their hearts are with the north, and they an,
iously wait the day when they may openly d
clare themselves on its side.
The proclamation ensures to the north Il
sympathy Of all nations and individuals ever,
where, who are looking forward 10 the tr
umph of free and democratic principles
seems to us that these are results sufficient
practical to justify the prophecy that presidel
Lincoln's proclamation of emancipation wi
take its place in history as the most importa
public document ever promulgated.