The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-05-27
Gen. Hunters Proclamation.

AZ" AS will be seen from to day spa
per, Gen. Hunters proclamation of free
dom to the Slaves liz his department has
been discarded and countermanded by
the President. We minated last week,
our impression that Gen. HUNTERS
course was prematurely taken, although
il was one that we doubted not would be
found, evenlually, by the government and
those loyal TO it, to be very advisable if
not imperauvely necessary. But when
the step is taken we prefer that il may be
when the clear Judgment of the Presi-
3ent and his Cabinet are convinced Of
its necessity. The President, in his
emancipation Message, indicated his i'm
preston that the freedom of the slaves
might become a necessity in this contest,
and did not fail to declare that whenever
such step proved necessary, it would
assuredly be taken. Upon this we have
been willing to rest, feeling sure that the
developments Of the war would demon
strate the mpossibility ola harmonious
reconstruction of the government so
long as Slavery exists. 1t seems to us
that it cannot fail to be made apparent 10
the people that to give to Slavery here
after The stotus that it held at the com
mencement of the rebelion-to pay it
the Difference, gran; it the same immu-
mites, and give it the same power, that
was accorded il before this armed strife
is but to lay the country open, at any
time, to such assaults from it. Peace on
such terms would bring with it no pos
sible sense of security. There would
be no guarantee that in ten, or five, or
one year, the same contest would not be
again opened, for we would but leave
the assailant free to plot, to demand, and
to attack unless propitiated by conces-
sion. The element of discorG w,dld DC
left-the cause of arrangement and Of
shile would still be present-the very
essence Of division would still be left
active. How could peace be kept--how
could harmony be maintained how
could sections and interests become as
simulated, with this element of repulsion
present and ever active ? Slavery is
aggressive, because, like all wrong, its
principle is that of violence. Relnstated
in the government ii would still be found
grasping. presumptuous. INSCRIPTIONS,
overbearing, exacting, threatening Re-
strained, it would seek lis ends through
violence and bloodshed, just as now. lis
very nature-the arbitrary, the arrogant,
the lordly character it engenders-proves
this. 1t necessarily contemns restraint,
bat born of force it must thrive upon
violence.
1t seems to us, then, that those who
strive, through this contest, to preserve
Slavery intact, simply endeavor to rem
der fruitless the blood and treasure ex
pended on the side of loyalty. 1t would
be like giving again to the high wayman
YOU had disarmed, the weapons. ready
fr use, with which lie had attempted
your life, enabling HIM to stand forth as
strong, and more experienced aggres-
sor than in the first attack. With Slavery
stricken down, the motive for division,
the cause for strife, is gone. If instant
death is not necessary, cripple its power
and insure the nations safety, By bin
ms is limbs, lettering It's energies. 10
what extent these bonds and letters
shout be placed upon it, we are willing
10 leave to the clear head and patriotic
impulses OF the President. We feel as
sured that his heart and his head are
right, and that he will deal in just such
slernness or leniency as the cause de-
mands. 1t is clear that he will not con
sent that Slavery should come back
powerful and presumptuous as hereto
fore. SAFELY with him, then, we think.
may be left the question as to when, and
how severe, the punishment shall b. made.
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