The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-03
Tho Proclamation

The emancipation proclamation of Pre'i-
dent Lincoln is nothing more nor less than
designating fixed and straight forward pol
icy upon a subject. which, in the prosecu-
ton Of this war, it is simply impossible to
ignore.
The rebellious States have set up new
constitution, the chief corner stone OF which
is slavery, the monstrous dogma that "capi-
tai should own labor" That constitution
is attempted to be forced, by all the ma
chinsry OF war, TO take the place Of the con-
stitution Of the country over a large extent
Of territory. The seceSsionists themselves
have made up the issue. Ii only remains
for the constituted and legal Government to
meet that issue with all the vigor Of great
and powerful nation, and yindicate the
supremacy Of the Constitution and the Laws
over the entire national domain. To do this,
force must be met by force, And when re-
bolton has assumed the mighty proportions
il now presents, il must be met with all the
means which are placed within our power to
use against it.
That the South are fighting in the interests
Of slavery, we think can not DO successfully
denied. Neither do we think that il can be
rsfuted that the course voluntarily taken by
tho South upon the slavery question, has
forced the President to adopt some policy
upon the same question. The proclamation
in question discloses the matured convictions
Of the President after giving the subject a
long and careful investigation. That he
has come to wise and just conclusion we
firmly believe. His action only gives form
and shape to the inevitable consequences
which must attend upon the institution Of
slavery IL this war is prolonged. Slavery is
doomed institution. The frs, gun its min
ions fred at Fort Sumpter heralded forth its
downfall in its own stronghold.
The history Of this war goes to show that
We must overcome or be overcome, and we
were about to say that the country must be-
come 'all slave or all Free"
II such Is not yet the point to which we
have arrived, the mad course Of the rebels is
fast narrowing the issue down to the single
question of slavery or freedom over the
whole country. We are not sure but such
10 already the question, that 1t has been ever
since this war commenced.
In this connection the following extract
from a speech delivered by President Lincoln,
in 1853. when viewed in the light Of the
events Of the past year and half, Is full OF
meaning. and shows that he, at that time,
was deeply impressed with the crisis which
the advocates Of slavery were determined to
force upon the country. 1t is as follows
al believe this government can not endure
permanently half slave and half free. do
not expect the Union to be dissolved-l do
not expect the house to hll-but do expect
il will cease to be divided. IL will become
all one thing, or all the other. Either the
opponents Of slavery will arrest the further
spread of it, and place it where the public
mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the
course Of ultimate extinction; or its adyo-
Gates will push it forward, till it shall be-
come alike lawful in all the States, old US
well rs uew-North as we'll as South"
We are rejoiced that the President has at
last issued proclamation determining the
policy Of the Government upon the slavery
question. And we are the more rcioiced
that it is just such one as it is. The Ma
tioual Government is placed where it ought
to be, emphatically On the side of freedom,
If the rebels desire to shield themselves from
iss consequences, they have ample time. Fair
warning is given.