Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-10-03
How ahc Army Receives the Proc
ianati0u.

faun.ats0n.
The Presidents Proclamation has thus
far been received with much favor by the
army officers, as well as by very many
prominent democrats. Forney, writing to
the Philadelphia Press mentions as among
those who receive it with favor, Gems Hook,
err, Banks, Wadsworth, Hentzelman, Size
gel. John A. McClernand, Formerly demo-
cratic member Of Congress from lllino's3
Logan, {another Illinois democratic Con-
rressman,) Sickles, (stil another,) Meagher'
&c. Also Commodore Dupont, and Joseph
Engle of the Navy.
The Boston Journal says that "upon this
point we are not left TO conjecture. The
evidence is abundant and we think conclu,
sve that the soldiers belonging to the old
regiments who have been longest in the
field, and who, from observation and expe-
rence, have learned to estimate the strength
which slavery has given to the rebels, are
in favor Of emancipating the slaves upon
military grounds. We have found this ev-
idence in many soldiers letters, and We
have before us some testimony upon this
point which is worthy of attention. A
friend in a neighboring State, who has been
pro-slavery Democrat, opposed TO eman-
cipaion and TO any interference with sla-
very, visited the army of the Potomac
when it was on the peninsula in the capac-
ity of Medical Commissioner. He was
with the army several weeks, aad had am
ple opportunities for observation. In one
of his letters, written after his return, he
expressed himself, much to our surprise,
in favor of an emancipation policy. In an
swer to an inquiry how such policy would
be received by the army? he writes;
"You may take it as a fact that with
very few exceptions the achoIe army is in
favor of the most stringent prosecution OF
the war, using every means in our power TO
stifle the rebellion, and it regards emancl-
patton as one of our most potent weapons
Even among the officers of the old army
many of whom talked loudly of resigning
&c, if they were TO be used as Niger
stealers,' there has been great and mos
marked change in sentiment. | took some
pains to satisfy myself as to the prevalen
feeling upon that topic, and am satisfied
that the entire army would hail an enamel
patton proclamation with joy. Still more
believe the army would De glad to know
that every town captured was 10 be burned
l was a Democrat of the ultra stamp, an,
yet honestly believe that Fremont wa
right in his Boston speech, and that tn
army and the people are ready for emane
: patton and war of exlirmination if neees
5 sary to put down this rebellion. 1t is ce'
. tain unless this war forever settles the SIS
:, very question, we are ruined beyond salvi
ton. The world, the country, the arm
g and humanity demand it, and | believe 6
t. are up to that point. heard scores of c
/ ficers regret that Norfolk and Portsn on
4 were not burned, and many others EXPIRE
themselves as strongly upon the emancir
: ton question"
These views are worthy of attention |
cause they are the matured convictions
one who had no anti-slavery sympathi
and who, before he went TO the peninsu
had as strong a reverence for slavery a
IN
!, slave property as Vallandigham or a
other of that school of Democrats.
:, had large acquaintance among the oflic'
! of McClellan's army, and his opportunit
!, for learning their opinions were ample.
:. We doubt not that efforts viii be me-
!, to sow the seeds of discord in the arm
:. but we are confident that these win ia
root in none Of the old regiments-amt
soldiers who have come in actual cont
he with slavery, and fully re alize the siren
rs. which it gives 10 the rebellion. They Y
at, have seen the fields Of the South cultiva
's by negroes, while every able-bodied vi
e man was in arms-who have seen the
HE gro in the trenches and performing all
or hard labor Of the rebel camps, are not i
HE ly TO entertain superstitious reverence
E, r. property in slaves over any other prope
,ar. which supports the rebels.