Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-05-23
A Proc.szasion by the President Of the
United States

Whereas, There appears in the public
prints, what purports to be a proclamation OF
Major-General Hunter; and whereas the
same is producing some excitement and mis-
understanding, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln
President Of the United States, proclaim and
dcclcrc that the Government of the United
States had no knowledge or belief of an in
tcntion on the part of General Hunter to is
sue such a proclamation, nor has it yet any
authentic information that the document is
genuine and further, that Gen Hunter, nor
any other commander or person, has been
authorized by the Government of the United
States to make proclamation declaring the
slaves of any State free; and that the sup
posed proclamation now in question, whether
er genuine or false, is altogether void so far
rs respects such declaration.
further make known that whether it be
competent for me as COMMANDMENTS Chief of
the army and navy to declare the slaves Of
any State or States free, and whether at any
time or in any case, it shall have become nee
cssty, Indispensable to the maintenance of
the Government, to exercise such supposed
power, are questions, which, under my re-
sponsibilty, reserve to myself, and which
cannot feel justified in leaving to the decis-
ion Of Commanders in the field. These are
totally different questions from those of po-
lice regulations in armies and camps.
On the 9th day of March last, by special
message l recommended to Congress the
adoption of a joint resolution, to be substan-
tally as follows:
Resolred, That the United States ought
to cooperate with any State which may adopt
gradual adjustment of slavery, giving aid
to such States, in its discretion, to compens-
ate for the Inconvenience, public and private
produced by such change of SYSTEM"
The resolution in the language above quot
ed was adopted by large majorities in both
branches OF Congress-, and now stands an au-
thentic, definite. and solemn proposal of the
nation to the States and people interested in
the subject matter. 70 the people Of these
States now, l earnestly appeal. do not ar
gue-I beseeeh you to make the argument
for yourselves. You cannot if you would,
be blind to the signs of the times. beg of
you calm and enlarged consideration of
them, ranging if it may be, far above person.
al and party politics. This proposal makes
common cause for common object. Cast
ing no rcproaches upon any, it acts not the
Pharisec. The change it contemplates would
come gently, as the dews of heaven, not
rending or wrccking anything. Will you
not embrace it? So much good has not been
done by any effort in all past time as, in the
providence OF God, it is now your high priv
ilcgc to do. May the vast future not have
to lament that you have neglected it.
In witness whereof have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed Done at the city of
Washington, this 10th day Of May, in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
and sixty two, and of the INDEPENDENCE of the
United States, the eighty-s,xth.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President
WV. H. SEWARD, Secretary Of State.