Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-08
The UessaUe.

their conclusions upon his representations of the
state Of the Union, and the measures he recon
mends to the consideration of Congress and the
country as necessary and expedient. II is an ex-
traordinary document. and throughout it is emf
nently Characteristic OF the man. 1t contains but
little information Of the state of the Union, but is
devoted almost entirely with presenting the
schemes Of compulsory emancipation and negro
colonization which he suggested 10 Congress at
its last session. We give credit to the President
for sincerity and earnestness in the plans he pro-
poses for the suppression OF the rebellion and for
restoring peace and the national authority, but it
is the sincerity of ianaticism Who, after pc
rusing the message of Mr.. LINCOLN, will be able
to comprehend the condition Of public affairs and
the present situation of the country2 Such in
formation from the President is what the people
most desired at the present time. But the mes
sage of the President is impracticable and as
unstatesmanlike as has been his administration
of the Government. If he had applied the dog
mas, the settled principles, of the quiet past in
his conduct of public affairs from the beginning.
he would have found them fully adequate to the
settlement of the difficulties which have encom.
passed the nation since his advent into power.
The President subordinates all considerations
of public policy to the one idea which has pos
sesSed him-compensatory emancipation and the
colonization of I" free Americans of African
descent" That he presents with great gravity
the only policy which will restore the Union
I Il. 4,
is the cause of the rebellion, what hope that his
scheme of emancipation will subdue il? II the
rebels are fighting for the perpetuatiOn of slavery
and if they have deemed that Object sufficient
cause to secure separate nationality by an ex-
hausting and desolating war, is it probable that
they will accept opposite policy as terms Of
peace and an ample inducement to return to
their allegiance to the Federal Government
What good be accomplished by thrustine
upon the people an impracticable scheme Of
emancipation to still further add to the embar
easements of the nation? 1t is a proposition
which the people will not accept. The public
expression in the recent elections was de, idedl,
against il, and il will be Overwhelmingly so thu
next chance the people have to make their voice
heard and felt. They will never consent to th'
creation of a vast public debt. which will prove
sore burden to themselves and to their children
for the purchase OF negroes. IL is idle to sup
pose they are imbued with the one ideaism an,
the sickly sentimentality which induces Mr.. LIN
COLIN to refer to the negro as the free Amer
can, of African descent"
We are engaged in war for the suppression o
the rebeIOn-tO compel revolted States to re
turn to the authority of the Fedora Government
upon one side; upon the other it is a struggle for
an independent nationality. The so called Con
Tolerate States have as yet manifested no dispo
sition to yield the contest They have submtte
no terms of peace-have offered no conditions. a
least far as the country is advised. upon whic
they will be willing to return to the old Union
Either the Independence of the South must b
recognized, terms of settlement offered which vii
induce the rebel States to return to their forme
allegiance, or else the must go unit
armed rebellion is overcome, unless exhaustio
or foreign inter venton forces a separation. Gen
tainly there is no wisdom, no foresight. no states
manshp, in proposing emancipation BY consIitu
tional amendments which will require the conser
Of States which are now successfully resisting tn
authority of the Federal Government
The question of emancipation. and all tina
affects the future of the negro race in our cour
try, should be deferred until the Union
restored, and they can be calmly considered
all who will be affected by them. Until tia
period arrives, it is useless to discuss them. TIL
whole energy of the people should first b
directed to accomplish the objects for whic
Congress declared the war should be waged, III
restoration Of the National authority, withor
interfering with the Institutions of the State
recognized and protected by the Constitution
If we have not the power to do that, it
useless to propose plans for changing the inst
tutions OF States over which we can exercise II
control Such. we think. will be the judgmer
Of the country upon Mr. LISCoLy's compensate
emancipation aud free American, OF Africa
descent" colonization policy
1t will he noticed that Mr. LINCOLN expends hi
whole sympathy and thought and care upon tn
negro. The condition of the white Americans
who are suffering the tolls and privatons of til
soldier; the necessities of their families and tn
deprivations of the wives and children who b
war have been bereit of their natural protectors
have no consideration with our very philar
thropic President. The negro alone absorbs a
his head and all his heart.
There are other points in the message to whic
we will hereafter refer.