The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-12-10
The Presidents Message.

The second annual message of President
Lincoln to the Congress Of tho United
States was laid before our rca lers in our
issue Of last week.
The relations existing between this
country and foreign powers though "less
gratifying than it has usually been at other
periods" is certainly moro satisfactory
than Ne might reasonably apprehend."
Efforts to suppress the slave trade, we
are glad to hear arc encouraging.
The difficulties Of maintaing a strict
blockade of our three thousand miles Of
coast arc clearly presented. 1t has been
impossible to avoid occasional collisions
with ncutrals, and where wrong has been
done. redress will be made. This is digni.
fed and just.
The colonization scheme is at dead
lock. The central American states don't
want the negroes colonized there, and the
sons Of Africa don't want to 60 to Hhyti
and Liberia, the only localities where they
will be received. 1t is safe to regard the
proposition to COLOMBO as therefore, for the
present, failure.
New commercial treaties have been nego.
dated with foreign powers which are ex-
pected to work important results for US.
Executive interest is very properly mani.
tested in the project to connect this CONT
uent with Europe and Asia by telegraph.
The territories of the U. S. arc said to be
loyal and prosperous. Measures arc rec
commended to develop the immense mineral
resources Of this portion Of our country.
The condition Of the finances he regards
As demanding the closest attention. lie is
especially sound on the necessity Of keep
ing the currency nearly up to the specie
standard, and a return to specie payments
As speedily as possible.
The public lands have ceased to be q
source Of revenue.
The Pacific Railroad meets with the Pres
ident's approval. 1t is measure upon
which no issue..can be joined.
Compensated emancipation is the theme
which Iervades the last half Of the message.
Separation he regards as impolitic and de.
structive to the interests of the north and
south; slavery is the great disturbing ques-
ton, and he recommends that specific
amendments to the Constitution be submit
ted to the Legislatures of the several states
for adoption or rejection, as three-fourths Of
the states may approve or reject. The first
Of these articles provides that any state
abolishing slavery before the Is. Of Janua-
~ 1900. shall receive compensation from
the Z. $. in bonds bearing - per cent. in
aerest. The second provides that all slaves
who enjoy freedom by the chances Of war,
shall be forever free, and owners proven to
be loyal, shall receive compensation there
for. The third provides that Congress may
have power to colonizc free negroes. In
favor Of these articles it is quite strong
Iy urged by the President that it would be
. compromise; would be humanitarian
movement, and more economical in its
shortening Of the war. .a.~
Some Of the Presidents arguments on
the economical part Of the subject are rath-
er remarkable for their provincialisms.-
Fer instance, he remarks, at is not so easy
to pay something as it is to pay nothing
but it is easier to pay a large sum than
larger one" This proposition in political
economy is rather improved upon by Dobbs,
~ho says, "it is just as easy to be paid
something as it is to pay nothing; but that
it is not so easy to pay large sum as it is
to be paid larger one"
Pleasantly aside, we candidly are Of the
opinion that it would be good idea to sub.
NIT these questions to the states of the I'm.
ion. Iii recognition Of the fact that the
institution of slavery is elective with the
slavcholding states, and if they are for
emancipation who shall he against it? Sure.
Iy, no objection but that Of debt incurred,
can be recognized in the discussion Of this
great question. All the people Of this
country 1--WE speak in the general sense)
regret the fact that human slavery has ever
been q lesalized condition in the U. S.
This evil system they regard, also, as an
tagonistic to our institutions, ard "nec.
sssary evil that has been a reproach to the
liberal institutions which have graced this
Republic.
stated emancipation, providing the co,npen
sstion can be so arranged as to do justice
between the proprietary and purchasing
interests. To our mind there are humani
tartan considerations which urge the adop.
ton of some process of gradual cmancipa-
tion, which may be adopted by the slave
holding states. Three years expense Of
this war would buy the freedom of every
slave in the Union, and no one will pretend
TO say that the resources OF this nation are
insufficient for three years war.
Moreover, it would doubtless end the
war. A concert Of action would secure
unity, and unity would result in peace
Slavery, as an institution being then set
aside, there would be no pretext for a
quarrel,a and the war would end, never to be
renewed.
We observe with pleasure that the Pres.
idens is silent upon his sweeping eunancipa.
ton proclamation which was to be issued
on the LIST Of January. That he has re.
considered that proposition is evident from
the fact Of his proposal that. the states
themselves, who have tho disposal Of the
matter, shall inaugurate gradual emancipa-
ton.
~ private letter Com Oscar Bar