The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-17
THE EMANCIPATION POLICY
IN THE NORTH.

One result of the Presidents emancipation
proclamation is beginning to be quite appar-
ent in the Northern States. That result was
one eminently to be desired, being nothing
less than the application Of test, by which
every mans patriotism can be tried. Hith- |
erto, men holding the most radically diverse
opinions upon questions Which underlie the
whole contest, claimed. each upon separate
and divergent grounds, TO be in sympathy
with the administration. Each assumed to
control its policy, and each was calling for the
suppression Of the other, as dislcval and dan
gcrous.
In such controversy, necessarily, the ut
most confusion prevailed. There was,in fact,
in the minds of most of the earnest and un-
compromising men apainful suspicion that our
government was so infatuated with old tradi-
tons and the bugbears of political drivel,
that il was incapable of comprehending the
broad issues of the hour, and, enliyening its
dizziness BY ghostly anecdotes, was permitting
the nation to drift towards fearful and ire
trievable disaster. By defining its own posi-
ton, its purposes and opinions, the admins
tration has not only relieved itself from the
oIum Of so unjust suspicion, but has pro-
claimed test by which its friends and its en-
,mes can be definitely known.
This result promises to be Of considerable
service in those States whose elections occur
this fall. In New York, for instance, the two
parties will engage in the election upon al
most as distinct and sharply defined issues as
are presented to the opposing armies in the
field. To the understanding of nearly, ifnot
quite, every voter in that state, Gen Wads-
worth represents the patriotic loyalty of the
free North, devoted entirely to the preserva-
ton Of the nation, let whatever stands in the
way thereof perish utterly and forever. To
the very same extent Horatio Seymour is re-
garded as the friend and apologizer Of the
South in its rebellion. His undoubted pur-
pose is to emharrass the government in its
work of vigorously prosecuting the war, and
TO offer aid and comfort to the rebels. There
rs no mlstakins the question thus presented
lie who runs may read.
The samcresut is witnessed in other states
We can find examples of it, each in his own
neiGhborhood. But most significant of all is
the change that has come over the army since
the proclamation was issued While por
ton of the change is only apparent-no such
general opposition to an anti-slavery policy
as we have been informed, ever having exist
ed-it is nevertheless very cheering to know
as we do, that the measure came none toe
soon to meet the wishes of the large majorit,
of our officers and soldiers.
The admirable order of Mcclellan in rela
ton thereto-printed on our outside--is very
significant. 1t means more than meets the
eye. 1t Is equivalent to saying that, having
tired year ant a half to subdue the rebel
lion and leave slavery intact, and failed-sig
nally fa!led-!n the attempt non he hearth
ly welcomes this new policy, promising to use
1t to the best of his ability, and see whethe,
he may not now and thus bring the war to
speedy and successful end.
Let US all so accept hjs war measure, AMI
all others which may be necessary. We can
not forget that revolutions never 60 back
ward War is a mighty schoolmaster. Som,
Of US may be dull scholars, but We are com
PEELED, first or last, to learn its lessons, ant
well will it be for those who learn them i,
time to escape from the embraces of an in
stitu,ion now in the throes Of dissolution, ant
divest themselves of sympathy for a rebellion
the terrible doom of which will be them
Tor all subsequent history.