The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-22

organization of his own. Oncc assured OF
freedom, he will gradually join our cause
that is all. He can then be hired as laboror
or soldier, as may seem ft-paymcnt being
made for him II his master proves to be loyal,
and his services being confscated If these
are duo to rebel. In all this we are clearly
in our right.
Look now at the question in its foreign as
pcct, under tho chances Of European inter
yention. Be those chances great or small
Intervention may occur, and that ere long.
IL it occur, its character will chiefly de-
pend upon what shall have been the anteco.
dent action Of our Government in regard to
slavery.
IF. previously to such Intervention. we
shall have issued general declaration OF
emancipation, then We shall stand before
Europe as the champions Of human liberty,
while our enemies will be regarded as the ad-
yocates of human scrvitude. Public opinion
in England, in France, and throughout Eur
ope generally, will then prevent the respect
i've governments from interyenting,' except !:
be in our favor. No European Government
dare place itself in tho attitude of q slavery
protector.
re, on the contrary, We shall have left the
issue as it now stands, our policy Indicated
only by the confscation act, not broadly and
boldly announced, and more especially, II the
South, despairing Of saving her fayorite in
stitution comedies, as tho price OF foreign
recognition and support, u voluntary system
of gradual cmancipation-not at oil an un.
likely moye-then the sympathy Of public
opinion throughout Europe will bo with the
South, and will sustain any action in her ia
vor.
Think too, in such an event. how false our
position! How low we shall have fallen in
the eyes of tho world How uncnyiablc the
place we shall occupy in history through all
time
It is idle gasconadc to say that thus stu-
ated, We can defy Europe. Let the South,
by conceding emancipation secure the sym.
pathy and the permanent service OF her four
millions of laborers, without action of ours,
then throw into the scale against us tho 30,-
600, 900 of England, the 40 ,0OO, 900 oil France
and who shall say how many tens Of mil
lions beside?-and what chance for success,
or for reputation, shall we have. struggling
for nothing nobler than sclf-exstcncc, in
cauiyocal attitude before tho world, matched
against opponents who shall have foreStallod
us and assumed the initiative Of progrcss2
While the contest assumes no higher char
acter than that of portion Of great ma
ton desiring separation from the mother
country and forcibly casting OF its authority
what more sympathy can we expect from
Europe than wo ourselves gave to Spain when
shc lost Mexico, or to Mexico when Texas
struck for independence? Until the issue Is
changed, so that the great question Of human
liberty becomes involved in it, we must ex.
pect from European powers at the best, only
indifference; coupled, probably, with the
feeling that as Mexico succeeded against
Spain, and Texas against Mexico, so will q
Southern Confcderacy finally maintain itself
againse us.
That declaration OF emancipation was
not issued year ago, do not regret. Great
changes must mature in public opinion before
they can bc safely carried out. Extreme
measures, to bc justified and to bo efIectual,
must often be preceded by long tried concili-
alton. Yet in national emergencies IL may
be as dangerous to dsappoint as to anticipate
public opinion. And confess my Iears for
tho result If decisive measures arc longer de-
layed.
Stand where We arc, We cannot; and to
90 on il less dangerous than to retracc our
steps. We ought never to have proposed
emancipation with compensation to loyal
slaveowncrs, nor declared to the disloyal, as
by law we have. that their slaves shall bc
liberated without compensation, II wc did
not intend to follow out the policy we com.
menced. We have incurred tho odium; let
us reap the benefit.
Nor do perceive how we can FREQ the
slaves of rebels, yet reasonably expect to re-
tain slavery in the Border States. even in
case they persist in refusing the offer of the
President. Having intervencd so far, cxtir-
patton Of slavery, the only eiIectual policy,
becomes the safest also.
All men in the North will not acquiescc.
Neither did all acquicscc when the war was
commenced; yet who that is loyal opposes il
now! And what would have been tho result
had we waited, ere we commenced the war,
for unanimity?
Some will fall of. So bc it. There is
small loss in that. And there is some gain.
Better an open enemy than worthless friend.
Ii is time that men were taking sides. AS
things now stand, Isec no use in conciliating
the half loyal. lie who is not for us Is
against us.
| think tho people are ready. believe
that the loyal citizens OF the North, with
such small proportion Of exceptions rs in
radical national changes must be disrcgarded
are to-day prepared for emancipation. They
have paid for it in treasurc-in blood-not
by their option. They feel that the sacrifices
they have made. and have still to make, are
too vast to have been incurred, except in
purchase of q great pledge Of perpetual safe
ty and peace.
Rejecting men feel, too. that such pledge
is a national, not merely q Northern neces-
sity. The South, exhausted and suffering,
needs II too the full as much as we. She will
soon perceive, IL sho does not already, that
two parts Of one nation, or even two coter-
minous nations. can never again exist in
amity on this continent. one slave and the
other free. She cannot but SEQ that fugitive
slave law difficulties, IL no Others existed,
would suffice to prevent this.
1t is not the question whether paper de-
easily issued, will or will not be
followed by thousand practical difficulties.
The uprooting Of an ancient and gigantic
abuse always involves such. Nor should
we be called upon to predict in advance
(ior who can entirely forsec?) how each OF
these will ultimately bc solved. The. true
question is, whether greater difficulties, even
ones, do not bcsct any other
policy. Pressed homo as VIC arc, TO avoid
obstacles is impossible. We can but select
the least formidable. The lives OF the bcst
Of us are spent in choosing between evils; /.
When dangers surround us, we must walk,