The national Republican., 1862-10-08
Thsophiius parsons ON the Em an neipa.
tion Proolam alton,

Thsophiius pavsons ON the Km aneipa.
tion Proolamatton.
The following letter from Professor Tho.
philus, Parsons, Of the Harvard Law School,
to the Boston advertiser, gives the opinion Of
that eminent and conservative" jurist on the
question Of emancipation. It will>be read
with interest: .,-..--
To the Editor ofihs Boston Daily Advertiser
Some persons ,ienounce the Presidents pro-
claustioh as unconstitutional and this word
exerts and should exert great influence.
,uppoae il certain that he has no power to
emanc pate slaves as civil act; that he hasa
constitutional power to do this as military
act, grounded on Il military necessity that
the commander.in.chief OF our army must have
the right to Judge oi the existence and the
force Of this necessity. It follows tba. II be
has erred Il was not by the assumption Of
power he did not rightfully possess, but in the
exercise of right that belonged to him.
an not On abolitionist. did not expect
or dssire this measure, nor do zee its nsces-
sity. But why should I not defer to the judy
ment Of the President 2 It was his duty to
form and to act upon this judgment. He has
acted under pressure, but It was pressure on
both sides. He knows oil the facts upon
whic, l could form an opinion, aud many
whiel do not. He must know better than
| hov far II will be help and how far him
derane in the work be has to do. And he
must know better than can whether such q
measure was necessary to arrest impending
and important peril from abroad. Would 1t
not pe very foolish TO suppose the judgment
Of one who had only my means Of Judgment
likely to be wiser than that Of one who has
the means which the President possesses?
All ages have acknowledged, and none more
than this, that an army is but q useless mob
until discipline gives to it order and unity ;
and the essence Of discipline is obedience by oil
to all who are over them In times like these
should not our whole people feel that they con.
stitute the army Of the Union, and that some.
thing analogous at least to military subordi'
nation ought to exist among usH But there
must always be one vast difference between
our military order and unity and our civil or
der and unity. In the army this discipline
rests on compulsion and force. In civil af
fairs itAmust come from self-compulsion and
sefimposed obedience. Are these impossible
virtues iu a Republic2
| A short time may determine whether thi'
nation Is to live or die. And the influence O
this war and Of its result may be as broad a
the world and as lasting as time. And how much
we are doing which, in its greatness, is worthy
Of the houri We are pouring out our bes
blood like water. Some Of us-how many
off up our Sons, and send them to the battl'
with smile, and, when they die, bury then
almost without tear. Can we not sacrifice
our prejudices and our passions, our cherished
opinions, our partisan habits and associations
and even the assertions and declarations Il
which we stand committed2 Must not thes'
sacrifices be made, unless we are willing tina
all other sacrifices should be unavailing? Il
our patriotism no longer patriotism when. il
demauds-not money, for that we are ready t.
give; not effort, for that we are willing Il
make; not blood and life, for them we ar
pouring out; but submission--simPle, honest
riea! submission to constituted authority.
But will not pursue this course OF though
any further, For myself, have now no poll
tics, and desire 10 have none, but for the pur
pose Of sustaining my country, and, therefore
its government in every way can, and witt
the whole Of the little strength ! possess.
Cambridge. -s TP.