Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-13
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
President Lincoln sent a Special Message 70
both Houses of Congress, on Thursday last
recommending ard urging the adoption of
Joint Resolution, substantially as follows:
Resolred That the United States ought to co-oper-
ate with any State which may adopt a gradual abol-
lshment OF Slavery, giving to such State pecunarv
aid to be used by such State in its discretion TO conf;
pensate for the Inconvenience public and private
produced by such change of system.
The Message is given in full on the first
page. Although brief it is by far the most
important document that has issued from the
Executive department for many years, if not
since the organization of the federal govern
ment. 1t relates to the subject which has for
long time ogita,ed the country, divided its
councils, distracted its operations, and which at
length caused the present rebellion with all its
serious consequences. The resolution recon-
mended profers national cooperation and pc
cnniary aid to each and every State which shall
inaugurate the abolition Of Slavery within its
borders. The lost weighty considerations are
briefly yet iorcibly urged in favor of its adop-
ton.
1t is universally conceded that the rebellion
had its origin in Slavery. 1t is too evident to
require argument that the rebellion has precp
itated the question of the future of Slavery in
this country upon the government for its pres
ent consideration and decision. The thousands
OF slaves of rebel masters that have been and
the thousands that will be confiscated BY federal
authority can never again be held as chattes.
Our national government can neither reduce
men to involuntary seryitude nor hold them in
that condition except for their own crimes.
The time las arrived when it is to be deter
mined whether Slavery shall proceed pari oassu
with Freedom, or whether Freedom shall be
national and general and Slavery sectional and
exceptional. This is the most embarrassing
and troublesome question that has arisen in con-
sequence of this war against rebellion and trea
son. 1t is no very difficult matter to defeat the
rebels in battle, TO annihilate their armies. and
cripple them in means for further aggression.
Men ard money, both of which we can COM
mand in abundance, will do this But the
proper solution of this great question will de-
mand all the abilities of our ablest legislators
ana our most profound statesmen.
Various plans have been proposed for the
solution of this problem. 1t has been SUCCESS
ted and urged that the general government
declare all the slaves free, and some have gone
so far as 10 demanl that they shall be armed
against their masters. AS this is a matter so
manlteslly beyond the power of Congress and
so clearly one of military necessity alone that
we need not row stop TO consider it.
The policy urged by the immediate emanci-
pationists is TO disfranchise the seeding states
until such time as they shall be of better mind.
1t proceeds upon the ground that those states.
by the very act of secession. have abrogated
their functions as states and reverted to the
condition of territories, in which condition they
are to be held and treated until again admitted
as states But this is not the theory on which
the war has thus far been conducted Roth The
PRESIDENT and Congress have by their acts re-
garded secession as the rebellious outbreak of
unlawful combinations of men. and M, "a
deed having the least validity of force. Every
act or ordnance OF secession, being unconsti
tutional, is null and void from first to last
The constitution caunot be overthrow Inv any
state, any legislative body, nor by any combi-
NATHAN Of men. The relations of the states TO
each other and to the general government are
created by that instrument, ard until that is
destroyed, those relations remain the same,
whatever course single state may pursue. If
state can of its own act, annul its own exis-
tence as member Of the Union, then the doc
trine of secession is right and we of the North
are warning against correct principle. The
rebellious states having a legal existence II is
not competent for the general government 10
remand them to territorial condition Of
course the doctrine that we can exercise cor-
troll over Slavery in that manner falls to the
ground.
The only legitimate, feasible way in which
the government can constitutionally operate to
undermine and pave the way for the final ex-
tincton of Slavery, is that indicated by the
President in his Special Message. 1t seems to
us that there can be no serious objection to this
plan. 1t can surely be as lawful and proper to
take money out of the national treasury to re-
move this accursed institution in order for the
more speedy and efectual suppression of the
rebellion, and to prevent any future attempts at
its recurrence, as it is to provide and equip ar
mics and navies for the same legitimate and
necessary purpose. Treating the symptoms
merely will never accomplish the object. In
the removal of the exciting cause only can a
radical and permanent cure be expected.
Should the recommendation of the President
be adopted Slavery will not Immediately die
put. il viii be but the beginning Of the end