The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-12-26

the sum and substance OF 1t.
But, for the sake of argument, admit, if you
choose, that all the plans of the President touch
ing emancipation and colonization of the negro
were to-day successfully carried out, what would
it accomplish in the great work Of restoring the
Union, Nothing than nothing.
The President recommends in his annual mes
sage three propositions to amend the Constiiu-
ton of the United States. Twill not trouble the
committee with reading them; every gentleman
here is familiar with the articles he proposes to
adopt for amendments. The first, second and
third are for the benefit of the negro.
The people are sick and tired of this eternal
talk upon the negro, and they have expressed
that disgust enthusiastically in the recent elections.
The Presidents proposed amendmentsasa whole,
or either of them, could not receive the suifra-
ges of majority of the people of more than
two States Of this Union.
While upon this subject desire to call the
attention of the committee to single feature
in relation to these amendments In the mes
SAGE he recommends an amendment to the Con-
sttution as follows:
"ARr -. Congress may appropriate money,
and otherwise provide for colonizing free color
ed persons, with their own consent, at any place
or places without the United States"
In this recommendation he seeks to give pow
er to do what he claims he has the power TO do
without it; and by this recommendation he ad-
mits he has been exercising unauthorized and
illegal authority. Is not this in itself an adj
mission that the Constitution, unamended, grants
no power to Congress or the Executive to APP
propriate or use the money OF the people tor
lo4, I'M 1rnat nj
He calls upon us to compromise. What COM
promise is that! For whom does he propose a
COMPROMISED What for2 In order that you may
have more power to advance the negro. That
is all there is in it, and there is nothing less OF
it. He tells us there are differences of opinion
among the friends Of the Union Gin regard TO
slavery and the African race among u.s." He
saws to all of those who differ with him. .s;sr-
render your convictions and come to my PLAN
and he calls that compromised Compromise !!
Yes, trust in God the day is not fa.r distant
when the people G! this country will compro-
mise and save the Constitution and the Union
for the white people, and not for the black peo-
pie. Our people are for no other compromise
than that.
There are other portions of the message upon
which / should like to bestow some attention,
but will forbear to do SO now, for desire TO
call the attention of the committee to another
proposition of the President connected with this
subject.
The proclamation of the 22d of September
last issued by the President, took the country
by surprise, and no one of its citizens more
than myself. had fondy hoped and been anx-
ious that the President of the United States
should so conduct himself in his high office as
Chief Magistrate, that could lend him my sup
port. have been driven, with thousands of
others, into opposition 10 the policy contained
in that proclamation, for reasons which must
commend themselves to every rejecting man
sincerely desirous of terminating this war and
sup ressng the rebellion
Mr.. Lincoln, on the 4th of March, 1861, on
the east portico of this Capitol, took a vow,
which he said was registered in heaven, to sup
port the Constitution of the United States. In
his inaugural address, delivered on that occa-
sion, he said he had no lawful authority or in-
cination to interfere with the institution of sa-
very in the States where it exists. In his prog
lamation of the 22d of September last, ne as
sumes that he has power to forever free ''At
persons held as slaves within any State, or des-
ignated part of State, the people whereof
shall be in rebellion against the United States" !"
thus violating the pledge so soemnly made in
bis inaugural address.
If the object of the proclamation was not to
aid the rebellion, its effect was 1t has strength
encd the rebellion by driving into their army
every person in the South that it was possible
to drive there Was its intent " affect those
alone in rebellion? Certainly not The slaves
of every man in rebellious State were to be
free. The loyal man owning twenty slaves, and
the man in the rebel army owning like num-
Der, were, by that proclamation, TO De anected
precisely the same. The object OF the procla-
nation was to benefit the negro, not to restore
the Government or preserve the Constitulion.
It was nothing more, nothing less. 1t goes q
bow shot beyond anything done by this House
at the last session of Congress.
But again. If the proclamation is to be car
ried into effect, the war must continue until
every slave is free. II every rebel should lay
down his arms on the I'd day of January next,
or any subsequent day, and submit himself to
the laws and Constitution Of the United States,
the war would still have to 60 on, unless the
slaves were all free, for the proclamation de-
carcs that ssthe Executive Government OF the
United States, including the military and naval
authorities thereof will recognize and maintain
the freedom of such persons" 1t strengthens
the arm of the rebellion, and postpones the time
of restoring peace to this country, by the dec
laration of the purpose for which the executive
power shall be used. In what respect has our
cause.-The cause of the Union--been advanced!
Up TO that time, throughout the great North
west, You had but to call for volunteers and
they rushed to the army. Since then you have
had no volunteering. Prior to that time 1t was
net necessary, as the Secretary Of War.--as
am told, for have not read mis- report-now
declares it is necessary to have provost marslials
in every county to arrest deserters from the army.
We are informed that but a few days before