, 1862-12-01

Rebels slaTes Must be Freed.


Correspondent CT thc New York independent I
WASHINGTON, Nor. S6, 1862.
h1r. Casey Of Kentucky-the only Ea1anci~
pahonist in Congress from that state-had
very interesting interview with the President
day or two since. Mr, Casey Informed Alr.
Lincoln that while originally he did not like
his emancipation proclamation. that now he
did lot desire him to go back-to retreat from
the position he had taken; iTawould be SO uni
vereaDy regarded as an evidence of weakness
in the government The President informed
him tbat he need have no fears on that score
he shou1d not take back word, He had no
desire to interfere With the people Of loyal
go; but as for rebels, let them prepare for
emancipation!
1Ir. Casey shows that he possesses the old
fashioned Kentucky manliness and truth.
Though this proclamation might not origl-
1ally have suited me" ssys be, "a1a even it
you do so cowardly thing Us to retrace your
steps at the dlctation Of Democrats aud slave
holders" These were not his exact words,
but they contain the meaning and sense q
those words.
In discussing the whole subject, the Presi-
dent gave evidence OF much thought upon it
and. some Of his ideas were original and
startling, Ono Of them will a1lude to in de-
tail. MI. Lincoln ssid that he had often
thought OF the narrow escape Of the South
from general slave insurrection tho winter
after the election Of 1856. The Fremont
campaign, as is we'll known, was followed BY
one attempt st inEurrection in Tennessee.
The slave masters Of the South charged the
Republicans upon the stump with desiring
the freedom Of the slaves; and not only that,
but with purpose, If Fremont WIS elected,
Of forcibly setting the slaves free. The
s'ases all over the South were full Of discon-
tent ct the defeat Of the Republicans. This
discomfort In some localities came near to de-
yelopiDg into open instruction. This fact
made detp impression upon tho mind OF
the President, and he told Mi. Casey 1hat the
slaves Of the South understood fully aaow, as
they have never understood before, that the
Northern people are friendly to their freedom.
Whether they are mistaken or not, the
whole slave population OF the South ex.
pfcts its freedom at our hands. These black
millions are waiting ps ient1y for their time to
come, ard ii the war ends without giving
them their freedom, they will take it! This
was the idea OF the President, and it strikes
says hlr. Lincoln, mercy to all the parties
concerned, to take the matter into our oWu
bands. for We can control it. The slaves in
their anger, should the war end without giving
| them freedom, will burst out into cruel iusur.
| rectinn. Such an Instruction would very
probably be accompanied with great atrocities,
| IS tic slaves would set from feeling of bittei
disappointment. Not go now. Now they
have every inducement in the world to wait
ard act SIS this Government shall teach them.
1t is probable that the slaves would be Is
/ likely to rise In case the w2r ended with a
| separation as if it ended with compromise and
union. No matter how the difficulties Of the
Government eventuate, if the slaves are per
nlitted to remain in their ignominious bond.
age terrible insu1rection is in prospect, aud
| cannot well be avoided. The true remedy il
emancipation now. The President means to
| accomplish it If he can.