Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-08-27
WHOLE NO 1896.

sQrTGcllOn ana lGQLScflml0dLe GSSGSSICd-
ton of whites throughout the slAvestates.
The result, so far, has clearly shown thai
the negro, mild and long-suferiug, and
often attached to his owner, is little dis
posed to resist, under an organization Of
his own. Once assured Of his freedom,
he VIII gradually join our cause-that i
all. He can then be hired as a Iaborer CT
soldier, as may seem ft-payrnent being
made for him if his master proves loyal,
and his services confiscated II these be-
long to rebel. n this We are clearly IN
our right.
Look now az the question IN its foreign
aspect, under the chances Of European
intervention. Be those chances great Or
small, intervention may occur. and that
before long.
If il occur its character viii depend
on what shall have the antecedent action
OF our Government in regard to slavery.
If, previously to such intervention, we
shall have issued a general declaration Of
emancipation, then we shall stand before
Europe as the champions of human iber-
ty, while our enemies viii be regarded as
the advocates of human seryitude. Pub
lie opinion in England, in France and
throughout Europe, generally, will thec
prevent the respective governments from
intervening, except it be in our favor
No European government dare place it.
self in the attitude Of q slavery protector
If on the contrary, We shall have left
the issue as il now stands, our policy in
dicated only by the Confscation act, not
broadly and boldly announced, and moro
especially if the South, despairing of say
ing her fayorite institution, comedies, as
the price of foreign recognition and sup
port, voluntary system of gradual eman-
cipation-not AT ali an unlikely move
then the sympathy OF public opinion
throughout Europe will be with the South,
and will sustain any action in her favor
Think, too, in such an event. how false
our position how low weshall have fallen
in the eyes of the world how unenviable
the place We shall occupy in history
through all time.
1t is idle gasconade 10 say that, thus
situated, we can defy Europe. Let the
South, by conceding emancipation, secure
the sympathy and the permanent services
Of her four millions of laborers, without
action Of ours then throw into the scale
against US the thirty millions Of England,
the forty millions OF France,-ard who
shall say how many tens of millions be-
sides ?-and what chance for success, or
for reputation, shall we have, struggling
for nothing nobler than self-existence, in
equiyocal attitude before the world, match
ed against opponents who shall have fore
stalled US and assumed the initiative Of
progress?
While the contest assumes no higher
character than that Of portion Of great
notion desiring a separation from the
mother country and forcibly casting of its
authority, what more sympathy can we
expect from Europe than we ourselves
gave to Spain when she lost Mexico, or to
Mexico when Texas struck for indepenc-
enee? Until the issue is changed, SO that
the great question of human liberty be-
comes involved in 1t. we must expect from
European powers at the best only indifer-
ence; coupled, probably, with the feeling
that as Mexico succeeded against Spain
and Texas against Mexico, so viii South
eFn Confederacy finally maintain itself
against Us.
That a declaration of emancipation Igs5
not issued year ago, do not regret
Great changes must mature IN public
opinion before they can be safely carried
cut. Extreme measures, TO be justified
and to ehectual, must often be preceded
By long-tried Cancellation. Yet in nation
al emergencies it may be as dangerous 70
disappOint as 10 anticipate public opinion
And confess ms fears for the result #
decisive measures are longer delayed.
Stand where we are we cannot and 10
60 on Is less dangerous than 70 retrace
our steps. We ought never have propos-
a.
loyal siave-owners nor declared 70 the
disloyal. as by law We have, that their
slaves shall be liberated without cOmpen-
sation, if we did not intend % follow out
the policy we commenced We have
incurred the odium; let Us reap the ben
eft
Nor do perceive how we can free the
slaves Of rebels. Yet reasonably expect %
retain slavery ia the border States, even
in case they persist III refusing the offer
of the President Having intervened 50
far. extirpalion 0f slavery, the only efec-
tual policy. becomes the safest also.
All men in the North viii no; acqui-
esce. Neither did al acqiesce when the
war was commenced; Yet who that IS 10y
81 opposes 1t now And what would have
been the result had We waited, ere We
commenced the war. for unanimity?
Some viii fell oil So be II - There =
small loss in thai And thsre-is some
gain Better sn open enemy than
worthless friend. II Is time that men
were taking sides. As things now stau1
l see mouse in couciliating the halEloyal
He who is not fos - j against Us.
think the people are ready. l believe
that the loyal citizens of the North, with
such small proportion OF exceptions a.
in radical national changes must be dis
regarded, are today prepared for eman-
cipation. They have paid for it in treas
ure, in blood not by their option. They
feel that the sacrifices they have made,
and have still TO have been incurred, ex-
cept in purchase Of great pledge Of per
petual safety and peace.
Rejecting men feel, too. that such s
pledge is Il national, not merely north
ern, necessity. The South, exhausted
and suffering, needs it 10 the fall as We
She will soon perceive, if she does not al
ready. that two parts of one nation, or
even two cotermsnous nations, can never
again exist in amity on this continent,
one slave and the other free. She can
not but see that fugitive-slave-law difficult
prevent this.
II is not the question whether a paper
easily issued, VIII Or will not
be followed By thousand practical diff
culties The uprooting of an ancient
and gigantic abuse always involves such.
Nor should we be called upon TO predict
in advance for who can entirely foresee?)
how each of these will ultimately be solv-
ed The true question is whether greater
even insperable ones, do not
beset any other po icy. Pressed home as
we are. TO avoid obstacles is impossible.
We can but select the least formidable
The lives of the best of US are spent in
choosing between evils.
When dangers surround us, We must
walk. in a measure, by fHith. Let US do
what we can, and leave to God the issue.
We may best trust 70 Him when we enter
His path of progress. He aids those vso
walk in it.
| fael aSsnSed that ANAL success awaits