Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-10-02

The Compromise Finale--President
Lncoln's late PROCLAMATION OF
Sept. az, 1892.
1t has been long and we'll understood that
the President has from the beginning Of the
national struggle With the present terrible
rebellionf had an eye single to its suppress
sion--to the maihtsaaaoe of the Constitu-
tion, and the restyation Of the seccded
States to the Union. And as well has it
been understood that his natural goodness
as man, and his sense Of moral right, as
also his convictions in regard tothe cause of
the war have inclined him to policy for
which he has, at the same time, entertained
some doubt whether the public mind-the
will of the people---would sustain, and
whether, under all the circumstances, lie
has been called upon to adopt such policy.
Undcrthe pressure Of circumstances, aud
the necessities of war, the policy is now
adopted and no man can, in justice to the
President, charge him with premature ac-
ton. The question has been long entertain
ed, thoroughly discussed, and the reasons
IOr Jne auoptloh W thc PohOy ha'o po0"
deliberately weighed. His own words used
on the I'D August are" What lido about
, slrrery and the coL,red race l do because 10
helps TO sarc this Jniea and iohdt Iforbenr
1orJear keelsssI ID not kelieve % 1ould
) help TO sdrb N Utnn. n shaH do less
,ohcnerer IbsfiWe'pint am doing hurts
the cause, and TsbdH do more ,pheaeUer
i shall betiepe doing More oiH help the ctrhse. "
{ Now he has done more. And, doubtless,
with the concurrence of Congress, the masses
: Of the loyal people, the army and its lead
4 ers, the Cabinet, and we know. since the
i Altoona Convention, all the Governors of
), tho loyal States Every loyal man. will
8 weigh well the reasons sustaining the pro-
g clamation, and yield to them their due
i weight. The leading feature Of the procla.
i nation Is this--Three and ono-lourth month.
Y grace are given the rebels on condition that
3 il they lay down their arms and return tc
O their allegiance to the Government, slav-
o cry shall remain unhurt and untouched
n But, if rebellion shall be persisted in til
Il after Jan. |, 1868, then, and on that con
r dition, slavery shall be abolished, and the
il slaves as an element of strength to the re
e bellion shall be taken from rebel States
N This conditional Emancipation places the
\. condition in the power OF the rebels-the,
v can make their own election. If they tor
=. felt their slayesit il their own faut-it is thi
h price Of their rebellion. Loyalty, to which
q. they are bound is the fair and reasonable
ty price at which they can secure the claim h
le their slaves. II, by continued rebellion the.
ii forfeit their slaves, this is their own act ant
rs deed. And if after so long waiting and s.
= much warning they still despise grace the
n. richly deserve to be deprived of this elemen
er of strength to their rebellion.
M Now this conditional act of Emancipa
ne ton which generously and graciousy put
at the condition in the hand of the rebel
or themselves, is sustained by four classes {
q. reasons imperiously demanding such polio
an under the terrible necessity Of the circunl
nd stances.
". First. Moral responsibility to God an
mt man. Justice and right demand this cours'
to The moral sentiment of the civilized worlc
be and the religious Judgment of Christendo
Al. political, physical wrong. And that no
id tho existence OF this evil depends upon Il
M military power of the Government, and tha
ge before God and the world, the responsible
a. ity rests upon the Executive and Gesera
or in. Chief-he must bear the guilt of tn
ell enormou crime of slavery upon his ow
ilv soul, if by his will and act its continuenc
w. W.. shall be prolonged, and so continued as II
ND y" moving cause Of the crime of rebellion, an
ha m the occasion of the shed ling of torrents
lid blood And now that no Constitution
70 barrier can stand in the way, since rebelliC
his is has forfeited all Constitutional right exec
m the halter, the responsibility of slavery as
Ga moral wrong rests upon the President. I
r. is bound, as a moral Agent ahd ".Hnist
he of God to whom he must render nm d
M. % count, to- free his soul from this guilt an
md ' stain. Slavery is murderer in law.
en. % has shed blood. And either on it or ont
in Executive will rest all the blood of this lnt
oh derous treason. "For he (the president)
oa ~" the minister of God, a revenaer to execu
or. or wrath upon him that doeth evil. -
ard M Second. C6naaitiioaui, or legal reasons.
@ inc The Consultation binds the President to 9
wy ecnte the Mws-to ouell insurrcction- pu
"s as ish treason-suppress armed rebellion by t
,a;r a means necessary and available. II is maj
''' fostly within the limits OF the Constitutio
L