Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-25
pELAwARE.

itizen who has, in anywise, the prosperity |
# the State at heart, Bound down, re-
norselessly, to the fell genius of prejudice
many of our people have been 10th to take
mold of this important question in that spirit |
If frankness and calm investigation which |
IN intelligent community ought to do f.; but
in the fulness OF their confidence, were satis-
lied to leave it in the care and keeping ol
mere aspirants for power and office, lest 10y
dragging it into popular controversy it
might disturb the peaceful dreams of dema-
gogues, who looking only to their own sell
fish ambiton--were ready to decry "agita-
tion" as an element of mischief, IL hre-braud,
thrown into the political arena to shake and
threaten our national fabric.
But, thanks to treason and rebellion,
new era has dawned upon the nation. y
light has opened upon the minds of the peo-
pie, and they now begin to see that, instead
Of slavery being conservative and binding
feature of our Union, as they had Ioolishly
been led to believe by Southern aristocrats,
they discover that it is an engine of destruc-
ton, threatening the liberties of the country
and the safeguards of the Constitution.
They find that but for its graspng DISPOSE
tiOn; its inOrdnate desire to seize and hold
all power, and make all interests--moral,
social and political-subserve its wicked
purposes, the nation, instead of being now
whelmed in the bitter desolations of war.
would he in full and rapid march towards
greatness and national glory. And having
learned so much from the movements OF
traitors aud armed rebels, the people of Del
aware are now willing to go n little further,
and open the whole question for final exam.
ination and adjudication ut the ballot box.
llarmonisng their own experience of its
evils with the phlosophic views of Presi-
dent LINCOLN, they are rapidly fastening to
the conclusion that, "gratiuai emdacipa-
aoa is better for aH,' aud that the time has
come when Liberty Union, Peace Prosper
ty, and general happiness. demand that sla-
very shall be banished from our borders
forever.
Itis universally admitted that slavery is
an evil of great magnitude and that its re-
moyal from our State would be ronsum.
nation eyeryway desirable But how to
accomplish that object with the least injury
10 private individuals, and without creating
sudden revolution in the condition Of the
slaves, whereby they would be injured ill.,
stead of benefited by the change, have been
embarrassing questions. The Presidents
policy, however, gives the true solution, and
removes all the difficulty Emancipation
aciM compensation dnR loloni=aGoh he
tells us is the proper course. ltemhodies the
triple principle of Freedom, Justice and
Humanity and if adopted, will heal the
wounds from which the nation is now bleed
ing, and restore unity, peace and prosperity
once more TO the country Let us then
adopt that policy, God knows the
Union demands that that or some other
similar action should he had soon, to restore
repose to distracted and torn country Let
it not be said that Delaware, one of the first
born of the Revolution; true, loyal, patriot
c, as she has always been, shall now. in the
hour of peril to the land, by refusing to act
promptly, ignore the principles upon which
she achieved her sovereignty and indepen-
dence, and by and through which she us
sumed her position among the States of II
great, powerful and free Republic. Called
upon to decide between Liberty and Slavery ;
to choose between whole country, universal
ly free, and broken Union enveloped in all
the blackness which the dark relic of bar
barism is capable of throwing around it. She
cannot hesitate TO remove her portion OF
the weight of the inhumau system from the
scales, and let the beam go full down on the
side of enlightened christianity and civiliza.
tion. Nor must She in the great issue be.
fore her, stand upon minor considerations
The prRcipte and not the particular method
of securing it must be her sole aim. her alb
sorblng desire. Whether il shall be reach.
ed by immediate or gradual means does NOT
so much matter. Reach it, Reach it.
Every consideration of patriotism calls us I,
the work. The memories of the Revolution
inspire us TO action; and the glorious des
tiny that awaits us, bids us with cheering
promise hasten to twine this new garlan,
upon the brow of Liberty. In full view
therefore, of her obligations to the Uniol
and her dnty 10 herself; and with the pres
tlge OF Revolutionary history full of nobl,
achievements and proud recollections, Della
ware is ready to inscribe upon her banner.
Emancipation with C6kmi.ation, and ioil
the swelling ranks of the Union in whicl
she is resolved to do battle evermore.
-s-&Sss
Coy. JoHSsoS, of Tennessee. makes
brief hut unanswerable comment upon tn,
disloyal course of the Rebel press at th,
North-like the New York Express an,
journal of Commerce. lie has snppresse,
the Nashville Banner for copying their odi
torials. against which tile loval press of Nh,
south has long Protested WHdmsbarg,
Times. y
1t would be well if Coy. johnson
policy could he extended up this way
little distance. We have johnson
/ 4 :.