Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-02
Guiana 4eraa.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1862.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE PRESl-
DENT AND THE ILLINOIS CLER-


capital against it out OF certain remarks re-
csntly made by the President to Chicago
delegation OF ministers. These divines were
Bent to him for the purpose OF urging the
| issue OF such a proclamation. President
| Lincoln was at the time anxiously debating
tbe subject in his mind, as he stated, ''day
and night" He was, to use his own Ian
guage, studying the plain, physical facts of
The case, ascertaining what was possible, and
learning what appeared to be wise and right"
Certain possible objections to the issue OF
proclamation of the kind, it seems, were the
Subjects Of earnest consideration and inquiry
with him. He asked them, among other
things (and it is this that the anti-emanci-
patton papers lay particular stress uponD
"What good would proclamation of
Emancipation from me do, especially as We
are now situated? l do not want to issue
document that the whole world will see must
4 Necessarily be imperative, like the Popes
bull against the comet Would my word
free the slaves, when | cannot even enforce
The Constitution in the rebel States? Is
/ there single court, or magistrate, or indi-
/ sdual that would be influenced by it there
And what reason is there TO think it would
bave any greater effect upon the slaves than
The late law OF Congress, which | approved,
lnd which offers pr Jtection and freedom to
Dlaves OF rebel masters, who come within our
lnes?"
4 If these things Were true then In the Pres
dents opinion, say these newspapers, are
hey not as true now? But were they then
pue in his opinion2
4 The President was seeking for light upon
most momentous matter. He proposed
these objections, not as his convictions upon
the subject, but as the arguments which might
Pc made against it, for the purpose of can
PASSING the opinions of men fresh from the
teople upon such objections. Of what use
b urge the arguments IN favor of the pro.
flamation to men who were there for the
sery purpose of making those arguments
themselves If the delegation had been
composed of men hostile to the proposed
proclamation, of men endeavoring to con-
vince the President against the policy OF
ISSUING it, be would then doubtless have urged
the opposite views in favor of it. 10 obtain
light upon the most difficult matter, it was
Bbyiously his plan to PROFOUND the obiec-
lions to the course urged upon him, whatever
II was, and receive the answers to such OBJ
sections. The fallacy of the position taken
by the newspapers we have referred to, con-
lists in their endeavor to palm upon their
readers these questions of the President, pro-
posed for the purpose mentioned, as indicat-
ing the real and settled convictions st the
President; and this they attempt TO do otter
the President has decided his policy and is
8sued the proclamation, and thus to convict
him of the most dishonest inconsistency o.
welding his own convictions of duty anc
fright, his fidelity to his official oath, to radi
Zeal clamor" President Lncoln's well known
u
were there no other. But that the view w
8 have taken of the matter is the correct one
that he proposed to the delegation these mat
ters Of objection merely for discussion AM
i the better to probe their views, and not a
his own convictions, is clearly shown by tn
concluding remarks of the President to th
delegation in the same interview; remark
which the pro-slavery journals either entirel
suppress, or pass over without comment:
"In bringing their interview to close
after an hour of earnest and frank discussion
O. Mr. Lincoln remarked Do not misunder
q stand me, because l have mentioned thes
objections. They indicate the difficulties tho
hare thus far prevented my action IN som
such ,cay as qou desire. l hare not decide
against a proclamation of liberty TO the stdue
but hold The matter under aduisement. And
can assure you, that the subject is on my nint
By day and night more than any other
Whatever shall appear to be Gods tuiu, Iw'
DO. / trust that in the freedom with whic
have canvassed your views l have not
any respect injured YOUR feelings"
8 That difficulties and objections should o.
eur IN taking step of such incalculable m
ment, is not at all to be wondered at b
that after the most earnest inquiry in ;
quarters, civil and military, among men of
sections and the most deliberate and an
ious weighing of the matter in his own cal
and self-reliant mind, he found the objectio
to be no objections, or at least, to be vast
over-balanced by the vital demands for I
proclamation, is sufficiently proved by I
sst that we have the proclamation itself.
We do not propose at this time to disc,
'ne matters which we're the subjects of inq'