The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-07-03
The President MenoriaIiZed.

On Friday morning last, President
LINCOLN was visited by delegation of
the Religious Society of Progressive
Friends, composed Of parties from several
loyal States, and headed by Mr.. OLIVER
JOHNSON, of New Yolk The delegation
was accompanied by Senator WILMoT,
and Messrs. KELLY, DAVIS and CAMP
BELL, members of Congress from Pennsyl-
vania. Senator WILMoT, on introducing
the parties, stated that the object of the
visit was to present to the President me-
mortal soliciting him to issue proclama-
tion Of emancip patton of the slaves. Mr.
LINCOLN stated that he would listen with
pleasure to the delegation, and Mr. OIL
WEB JOHNSON then addressed him as fol
lows:
MR. PRESIDENT: We appear before YOU
by your kind permission, not to solicit Office
either for ourselves or our friends. nor to
ask for any party or personal favor but in
the interest of the country and OF humanity
Cur clients the four millions of slaves
who cannot speak for themselves, but only
lift up their chained hands in agonizing sup
plication for the freedom which it is in your
power, in this solemn crisis of the country's
fate, to confer upon them.
The memorial to the President was
then read by MIR. JOHNSON, as follows:
To abraham. Lincoln, President Of the United
States &:
The Religious Society of Progressive
Friends, in yearly meeting assembled at
Longwood, Chester county, Pa, from the 5th
to the 7th OF Sixth month. 1862, under a SOL
emu sense Of the perils besetting the coun-
try, and of the duty devolving upon them to
exert whatever influence they possess to res
cue it from impending destruction, beg leave
respectfully but earnestly, TO set forth for the
consideration Of President LINCOLN:
That they fully share in the general grief
and reprobation felt at the seditious course
pursued in opposition to the General Govern
ment by the so-called Confederate States ~
regarding II as marked by ali the revolving
features OF high-handed robbery cruel treach- |
cry, and murderous violence, and therefore
utterly to be abhorred and condemned by ev- |
cry lover of his country, and every friend of !
the human race.
That. nevertheless, this sanguinary rebel |
lion finds its cause, purpose, and combustible |
materials, in that most unchristian and bar |
barous system of slavery which prevails in |
that section of the country and in the guilt !
of which the whole land has long been deem
~ lHNOlNcl Cf general COlnpilCitN so that IL |
is to be contritely recognized as the penalty
due to such persistcntund fragrant transgres-
sions, and the inevitable operation OF the
law of eternal Justice.
That thus heavily visited for its grinding
oppression of an unfortunate race, .'peeIed |
meted cut, and trodden under foot" whose
wrongs have so long cried unto Heaven for
redress-and thus solemnly warned of the in
fatuation well as exceeding wichedness of
endeavoring to secure peace, prosperity. and
unity. while leaving millions to clank their
chains in the house OF bondage-the nation !
in its official organization, should lose no
time in proClaiming immediate and universal
emancipation, that the present frightful
effusion of blood may cease, liberty be estab-
Ished, and permanent reconciliation be ef-
fected by the removal of the sole cause of
these divisions.
That in his speech delivered at Springfield
before his election to the office Of Chief Mag-
istrate, the President expressly declared =
"A house divided against itself cannot stand
believe this Government cannot endure
permanently half slave and half free [ do
not expect the Union To be dissoiyed-I do
lot expect the house to falI-but do expect
il will cease 10 be divided. 1t will become
all one thing, or all the other.n
] hat this Society. therefore, urgently unites
with wide spread and constantly increasing Z
sentiment IN beseeci,jng the President SIS tho
bead of the nation, clothed with the consti-
lutionai power, IL such 2 fearful emergency {
70 suppress the rebellion e.icCtunlly bv the !
-en,oval Of It's cause, not to allow the pTesenr
solden opportunity 10 pass without dccreeiug |
he entire abolition OF slavery throughout the =
and, measUTe imperstiyeiy 6emaadcd bv !,
due regard for the unity Of tie country.
he safety and happiness OF tlo people the I
reservation of free institutions, ard by eve
. consideration Of Justice mercy, and peace |
,,hsrn lac, &c hare fearful reason &C appFo- :