The Shasta courier., 1862-10-04
The Emancipation Proclamation.

| cent proclamation of President Lincoln de
claring that in certain districts of the United
States, after the first Of January next, the
institution of slavery shall cease to exist
Naturally, no other result could be looked
for. As war measure, there is not the
smallest doubt bat that it lays entirely in the
scope OF the powers Of the Executive. So
about that there is nothing left to consider.
There is another phase of the question to
which no special attention is necessary, and
that is the rebel right in the matter. No
nation, in time of war, is called upon to pay
any specific regard to the rights of its adves-
saries, with whom it is fighting Herein,
from the peculiar character of rebellions,
we, in common with the nations so situated
heretofore, have found point of some diff
Guilty, namely, of so fighting that while we
damaged the enemy as an enemy, we did not
harm him as fellow citizen-a rather diff.
ficult thing to do, but which this nation has
been trying to do, all the time, since the
commencement of hostilities, down to the
present period.
Henceforth there is to be change. Hence
forth the nation will realize the fact that it is
struggling with an enemy in very fact and
truth, and will bring to the subjugation of
that enemy every appliance recognized as
proper in honorable warfare.
Wewere saying that the destruction of the
institution Of slavery was one of the plainest
and most natural of the consequences of this
war. Let every man who fully knows the
nature of the institution of slavery, and ap
preciates the fact that the nation is actually
engaged in strife with bitter, merciless and
relentless foe, ask himself if it could other
wise result. This journal has heretofore
shown, as it believes conclusively, that the
destruction of slavery had to result. and
would result. unavoidably, during the c. n.
test, as one of the incidents of a state of war,
even if the whole power of this nation had
undertaken to save it. Therefore there is
nothing left for US to consider but the procla-
nation alluded to, viewed solely as a meas
ure of war policy.
1t is one of the commonest maxims of war.
fare, that it is the duty of nation to do its
adversary, inside of certain well established
humane regulations, as much hurt as possi-
BILE, to impoverish its treasury, to scatter its
armies, seize its property, and generally to
cripple and cut off its resources. That would
not be warfare which did not proceed on Il is
special plan and idea. That the institution
of slavery is one of the main braces of this
rebellion, giving it nearly all the strength it
possesses, it is useless to deny. BY this sys.
tenn the revolted States are enabled to send
their whole available force into the field, and
to keep them there, adequately supplied with
provisions and forage. Without this system
they couldn't do it. By the aid of negro
slaves working without wages, and living on
the cheapest character of food, they are ena-
bled to complete great Notifications, to build
vessels, run railroad cars, and impede the
navigation of rivers. Without the help of
negro slaves they would make but poor head
way in doing any of these things. BY the
instrumentality of this system, they have
kept themselves prominently before the ms
tions of the earth, as desirable friend in the
event Of their independence being established.
and consequently some have desired that it
should be established. By destroying the in
stitution their friendship goes for but very
little. Again, it is known that this institu.
ton has been made means of direct assault
on the integrity and honor of this Govern.
ment. by Davis and his fellow conspirators,
at the time that he, in behalf # his rotten
government, offered to purchase the good will
and recognition of France and England, by
freeing all the slaves in the reyolted States.
At the time this offer was made. recognition
Of the independence of the Confederate States
would have worked an alarming amount Of
injury TO this Government. Yet Davis as
sailed us with this missile. Would it be wise
to leave this weapon in his hands, if we can
deprive him of it? And in numberless wavs
besides the plan seems to promise the most
benefcent results, and not one solvent reason
can be urged against it. There is no doubt
but that it will intensity the hatred of the
enemies of the nation, and render them the
more desperate, but even this is auspicious Of
success. In what We have said we have al
lrded to the practical aspects of the ques-
ton. Its moral bearings can be reviewed by
the reader, according to taste.