The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-11-01

Mr.. Emerson ON Emancipation.
Repiew Of tho P,esidsnt's Proe3amatian By
Ralph Waldo Emsrson.
Ralph Waldo Emerson contributes to the
the forthcoming number Of the Atlantic
Monthly the following review of the Presi-
dents proclamation Of emancipation, its
purpose and its probable effect:
STEPS IN the HISTORY OF POLITICAL LIBERTY.
"In 20 many arid forms which states en-.
crust themselves with, once in century, II
so often, q poetic act and record occur
Thes. are the jets Of thought into affairs,
when, reused hy danger or inspired by gen.
ius. the poiitiaai leaders of the dap break
the else insur,nount9b 'rontine Of class and
local legislation. and take step forward in
the direction Of catholic and universal inter-
ests. Every step in the history OF political
liberty is sally Of the human mind into
the nntrisd future, and has the interest oi
genius. and is fruitful in heroic apeodates
Liberty is slow fruit. II comes. like reli.
gion, for short periods, and in rare condi-
tion., a. If awaiting q culture Of the race
which shall make it organic and permanent.
Such moments OF expansion in modern his
tory were the the Confession Of AugS burg,
the plantation Of America, the English
Commonwealth az l64S. the Declaration Of
America Independence in l776. the British
emancipation of slaves in the West Indies,
the pass.gs Of the Reform Bill, the repeal
nf the Corn Laws, the Magnetic Ocean
Telegraph. though yet imperfect, the pass
age Of the Homestead Bill in the last Con-
gress. and now, iminently, President Lin
coins Proclamation On the 22d Of Septem-
her. There are acts OF great scope, work
ing on long future, and on permanent in
terests. and honoring alike those who initi-
ate and those who receive them. These
measures provoke no noisy joy, but are re-
ceived into sympathy 80 deep as toap.
prise us that ,paakind are greater and bet
Tor than We know. At such times il appears
~ IL . new public were created to greet the
new event. 1t il a when an orator having
ended the compliments and pleasantriss with
which he corciliatsd attention. and having
run over the superficial fitness and eommod.
ties Of the measure hs urges. suddenly.
lending himself to some happy inspiration,
announces With vibrating voice the grand
human principles inyqlved-the bravoes
and Wits who greeted him loudly thus far
are surprised and overawed; new audi
enes 10 now found in the heart of the as
Asmbly-an audience hitherto passive and
unconcsrned, now ct last 80 searched and
kindled that they come forward every one .
representative Of mankind, standing for all
nationalfes.
fHE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
The extreme moderation with which the
President advanced TO his design Ibis long
avo~ed expectant policy. as IL he chose to
bs strictly the executive Of the best public
sentiment Of the country, waiting only till il
should be unmistakable pronounced-so far
. mind that mono ever listened so patiently
10 such extreme varieties Of opinion-so 70.
Gcent that his decision has taken al parties
hy sYspsiss, whiast yet Il is the just ssqnsl
OF his prior acts-the firm tone in which he
announces il, without inflammation or sur.
plusage e-an these have bsspoken such f.
yor 70 the act, that, great % the popularity
of tho President has heen, we are begin.
ming 70 think that we have underestim atsd
The capacity and virtue which the Divine
Providence has made an instrument Of bene-
AZ 90 vast. He has been permitted to do
moro for America than any other American
man. He is well entitled to the most in
dulgent construction. Forget al that we
thought shortcomings, every mistake, every
delay. In the extreme embarrassments Of
his part, call these endurance. wisdom
Ipagnanimity, illuminated, IS they now are,
BY this dazzling success.
when We consider the immense opposi.
tion that has been peutralizsd or converted
by the progress Of the war--(for it is not
long since the President anticipated the re-
signation Of a large number Of officers in the
army. and the secession Of three States on
the PRONUNCIATION Of this policy when We
$40 how tho great stake which foreign na-