The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-23
The Presidents Emancipation Proclamation

The Presidents Emancipation Proclamation
The decisive step has at last been taken by
President Lincoln. The issue on which the war
is to be hereafter waged has been stated. The
policy of the campaign has been authoritatively
announced. Emancipation, as a war measure,
has at length been resorted to, and the mighty
word which will make this Republic free, has
been spoken. President Lincoln has obeyed the
impulses of his own heart, the conviction of his
Judgment, and the ardent and impatient wish of
twenty millions of people, by initiating the
movement which will result in the speedy free
dom Of nine-lenths of the slaves in the United
States, and the gradual emancipation of the re-
naming tenth. This is the greatest victory of
the war. the most damaging blow which the re-
belIion has yet received, and the grand utter
ance which will thrill through the North like
inspiring bugle notes, ~rallying to the govern
ment millions whose eyes had grown weary
with watching for the dawning light of the day
of freedom. Let us, with devout thanksgiving,
praise the great Disposer of human events. that
he has put it into the heart of Abraham Lincoln
to wed his name to ibis great. GROWING, and
benedcent act of the 10Th century.
OF the details of this Proclamation there is
hardly need to speak. They are so plain and
explicit, that the most ultra pro-slavery turnkey
cannot mistake their meaning. They have but
one Interpretation, and that is wholly in the in
teresr of freedom. The President announces
that the war is to be waged hereafter as hereto
fore ; for the object Of practically restoring the
Constitutional relation between the United
States and the people thereof in the States
where that relation is, or may be suspended or
disturbed. 10 this end, on the first day of
January next, rebellious territory is to be made
tree, and all slaves within such territory are to
be absolutely and Internationally emancipated
and the Federal power is pledged to maintain
such freedom. The time until the first of Jan
gary is gwen as a locus ponitenti9 to such in
surgent States as shall preter to take their
chances Of saving slavery, by returning to their
allegiance to the old Tag, rather than by con-
tlnulng their treason.
But this is not all of this Proclamation. Pres
ldent Lincoln goes further, and commands ODE
dieOce to the laws of the lands, and orders all
military and naval officers .. to observe, obey
and enforce these laws. The sections of the
law OF the last Congress referred to are broad
and comprehensive. and as our armies advance
South, will, if enforced, as they now must be,
practically abolish slavery. We trust this will
settle the question of obedience to the laws OF
the land, and that we shall hear no more trai.
torous suggestions that the civil power of the
nation must not NEEDLE with the conduct of the
the war, or the pro-slavery Instincts of some OF
our Generals. The word has now been spoken
by the commander-in-chief of the army and ma.
w, and the soldier has but one duty and tina,
is unhesltating and complete obedience.
The great truth, that it is Only through the
destruction of Slavery that this Republic car
be preserved, has now taken national expression
The people have believed it for months, and tn,
G,v>...-.-. tiers it to-day. 1t is the grea
lesson of the war taught by the fierce and muir
derous attacks of Slavery upon the Nationa
life. That truth, this shining watchword, i
now inscribed upon our banners, irradiatln,
them with a new glory and significance, A
Mcclellan marches his victorious army agaiI
into Virginia, it goes to liberate the men of tn
South, of whatever color, from the oppression
of treason and traitors. 1t now makes issu
with treason and the Confederacy which rest