The New York herald., 1862-07-14

| r he war-TNs President and the Bordsu
slave stateS-Im psrtsat Movemenss on
Foet In Washingten.
The most significant. comprehensive and mo.
msntous movements are on foot In Washington
touching the slavery question, In connection
with the renewed prosecution Of this war for tho
Union. The late seven days sanguinary battles
near Richmond will mark the Inauguration of .
new campaign and new military programme,
involving, in all probability, the complete ex-
tinction Of slavery, at least, In the border slave
States, and with or without their consent, or
compensation, as coming events may determine
On Saturday last the members of Congress
from the several border slave States, with few
exceptions. had . conference with the President
ct the White House Of the most important and
significant character. From the current reports
upon the subject we infer that thsse border
slave State delegations called upon the Presi-
dent to persuade him, if possible, to apply
. veto to the Confscation bill which passed
through its last stage of Congressional action
on Saturday morning; and that the President
answered their application by an urgent appeal
to them in behalf of hs well known policy Of
. voluntary, gradual and compensated eman-
cipation system in each Of the border slave
States. In HE original, and in more recent
proclamation on the subject, President Lincoln
has made known to the country how deeply he
is impressed with the Importance to the border
slave States of their immediate action in behalf
of q compsnsative emancipation. 1t appears
that in this aforesaid conference be was more
solemn, earnest and impressive than ever in
urging upon all concerned the advantages of
instant action and the dangers of delay.
In this matter the paramount idea Of the Pre-
sident is the fixed, absolute and Interchangeable
separation of the people Of the border slave
States from the pro-savery Southern confede-
racy politicians and people of the cotton States.
He thinks that if the border States. each for it.
self, were to proceed now to the gradual abo-
Etion Of slavery, as proposed by the late reso-
luton of Congress, the cotton States, finding
themselves cut off from all hopes of any present
or future border State support, would speedily
surrender to the Union. In word, President
Lincoln submitted this favorite scheme Of his Of
voluntary and compensated emancipation to
the representatives of the border slave States
as the inevitable and imperative test Of their
devotion to the Union at this crisis. This ap-
peal, coupled with the Executive warnings
heretofore thrown out on the same subject will,
we dare say, be Immediately followed by
systematic agitation in all the border slave
States Of the greatest interest and Importance.
So seriously convinced were these members
from, hos tot If tho ;tu 81 otSo
urged by the President, that on leaving the
White House they arranged and held the same
evening consultation among themselves on
the momentous question submitted to their con-
sidsration. It would not appear from this
that there is much probability of a veto
of the COnfscation bill; but, on the
contrary, that that bill will be approved
and enforced, as war measure, and that its
operations may 80 disorganize and demoralize
the slave population of the border States as to
render slave property therein comparatively
worthless, and the institution no longer sup
portable And for all this President Lincoln
has indicated the pressure Of this gigantic war
and the resstless curren. of events.
The border slave State representatives, it
further appears, are resolved, in any event. to
adhere to the Union; but they say there are
difficulties in regard to the prompt action Of
their respective States, and doubts in re-
ference to the compensation promised by Con-
gress for voluntary system Of State emanci
patton, which require deliberate reflection
These border State men seem to think, however
that II Congress were to apply this compensa-
ton policy to the individual owners of slaves
the question of emancipation in the border
States would be settled a. once, and In time to
support tho government, as proposed by Mr..
Lincoln, by detaching, now and forever, the
Southern border from the pro-slavery schemes
and dreams Of the cotton States, and in favor Of
the free labor system and institutions OF the
North.
These proceedings, we submit, are too grave,
deliberate and earnest to end in smoke. In
connection with this Confiscation bill they sig
Nifty, voluntarily or otherwise, great revolu-
ton in the whole structure of the local institu-
tons, society, labor politics and parties of the
most prominent and powerful States of the
South, If not in all Of them. Nor do we think
that the apparent defeat Of the republican radi-
Gals in their late caucus at Washington indicates
a different impending state of things. This Con-
iscation act is to our abolition radicals SUBJ
stantial victory, in the possession Of which they
can afford to be silent upon mere distractions.
As the war continues the chasm appears to be
widened between our loyal and rebellious
States, in the absence Of great decisive VIC
tory; and we must work with energy govern
ment, army and people--to secure as soon as
possible decisive victory al Richmond. or we
know not what may follow.
We consider these confiscstion acts, cancuses
and conferences at Washington, in connection
with this everlasting question Of slavery, as
charged with matters Of the very highest mo-
ment TO the country aud the cause Of popular
government, and with ths dangers of . long
and wastin0 war which 20 n oplv bo uar4oS 30