Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-05-30

could kill him, whereas they would resp
l'Ile benefit from killing his principal on.
GERS. There is no sh, I in this war ., eGoc.
tive as one against slavery, which is king
above all officers; nor Is there any better
angury of complete success than the viii.
lingness, at last, to FIRE on this wicked king,
But we mu', begin by abandoning the illa.
sions through which slavery has become 10
strong. The slaves Of rebels caunot b~ re.
garded as property, real or personal.
Though claimed as property by their mas.
iers, and though too often recognized a.
such by individuals in the government, il Il
the glory of cur constitution that it treats
slaves always as persons At home, b..
meath the lash and local laws, they may be
chattels, but they are known to our ccnstiA
tuition only as men. In this simple and
indisputab'e fact, there Is distinction
clear as Justice itself. between the preten.
ded property in slaves and all other prop.
erty, real and personal Being men, they
are bound TO allegiance. and entitled to re.
ciprecal protection. 1t only remains that
proper appeal to their natural and instinc.
tive loyalty nor can any pretended prop.
erty ot their masters supersede this claim.
| viii not say of eminent domain, but Of
eminent power Inherent in the national
government, which a, all times has a right
to the services of all.
In declaring the slave free, YOU will at
cnce do more than in any ether way, wheth.
er to conquer, to pacify, to punish, or to
bless. You will take from the rebellion its
handspring of activity and strength yoa
will stop its chief source Of provisions and
supplies; you viii remove a motive and
temptation to prolcng resistance, and you
will destroy forever that disturbing influ.
ence which, so hong as il is allowed to exa
ist, will keep this land volcano, ever
ready TO break ftth anew. But, while
accomplishing this work, you will, at the
same time, by the magical touch of freedom.
do an act of wise economy, giving new vala
ue to all the lands Of slavery, and opening
untold springs Of wealth, and you will also
do an act of justice destined to raise our
national name more than any triumph Of
war or any skill in peace. God, il, [ is be.
neficence, offers to nations, as 10 individuals,
epport,paity, OPPORTUNITY, OPPORTUa
NIFTY, which of all things is most to be de-
sired. Never before in history has He Of.
tered such as is row ours. Do not fail ID
seize i. The blow with which we smite
an accursed rebellion will at the same time
enrich aud bless; nor is there any prospect,
ty or happiness which It will not scatter
abundant, throughout the land. and such
an act will be an epoch, making the change
from barbarisIn to civilization. BY the old
rights of war, still prevalent in Afiica. freeA
men we're made slaves, bur, by the rights OF
war which | ask you to declare, slaves will
be made ffesmen. Mr. President: IF you
seek indemnity for the past and security for
the futures if you seek the national unity
under the constitution of the United States,
here is the way in which all these can be
surely obtained. Strike down the leaders
OF The rebellion, and life up the slaves,
Then will these be an indemnity for the past
such as no na,icn ever before was able to
win, and there will be security for the
future such as no nation ever before enjoy
ed while The republic, glorilied and strength
ened' will be assured forever, one and in
divisibe.''