Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-08-26

President Lincoln, as no one doubts is an
honest man, and desires to see all men every
where free He also most earnestly desires 70
see the rebellion, that has 80 long defed all the
power which the nation has put FORTH crushed,
and IT he knew method by which 1t might be
crushed in the shortest possible time, would re-
sort to that method, unless he believed that the
end would not Justify the means, But he il not
a bold man, however decided he may be in his
opinions, and has thus far, we think, consulted
present security and thus delayed the great
measures of severity and force through which
alone the nation will reach its dellverance from
the perils Of treason His timidity and caution
have, doubtless, had their origin in the best Of
moves-a sincere desire to bring the nation
out OF its present troubles with as little disturb
aDcc as possible of its material, and commercial
interests 1t is not certain that any course
would have achieved more hitherto than his
" policy, or want Of policy in the conduct Of
the war has thus far accomplished nor is it
cer tain that more bold and relentless war
upon treason, and all the material interests upon
which it rests for its support, would not before
this have accomplished much more in subduing
rebellion than has been already done. Aud
while the " policy " which should be adopted
in the prosecution of the war, 50 that the con-
test may be as short and decisive as possible, is
yet matter OF opinion, 1t is not only proper
but 1t is the duty of the people, in their own
way, and in loyal spirit, to make known toI
the public servants, who for the time being hold
the Offices in the Republic the wishes and judy
ment Of the nation in regard to the policy Of the
Government. In this spirit, Mr.. Greeley, of
the Tribune, recently addressed II letter Of some
length to President Lincoln, urging him to call
to the aid OF the Union the slaves of rebels, and
TO cause the conhscation and emancipation acts
OF the recent session OF Congress TO be exc
cuted, according to the meaning and intent
Of those who enacted them Mr. Lincoln was
not called upon to reply to this letter, and 1t
was not written probably in the expectation
that he would notice it except as an index Of
public opinion But he has seen fit to make
brief response, though 1T cannot be called an
answer, to the letter. writing for the public,
however, rather than to Mr.. Greeley, and seek
ing briefly to justify himself in the course he
has Judged best as President, TO pursue.
We confess this utterdnce of President Lin
coin doubly disappoints us. We are surprised
that he should speak at all under such a provo
cation and we are still more surprised that,
having chosen to speak he should have 50 little
to say and that little OF SO vague and oracular
character. The letter tells us nothing new /;
and as an indication Of the policy OF the Pres-
den; on the question OF slavery as affected by the
war, is utterly meaningless. On this subject it
oilers no opinion aud makes no disclosure what
ever, bot leaves the matter exactly where II
found il. lie thinks the Union of more value
than slavery and. il necessary, he would have
slavery sacrificed for the sake of the Union.
But he doesn even intimate IN opinion respect.
ing emancipation as war measure, oras to the
policy of rlgldly enforcing the confscatlon and
emancipation acts OF the last session oil Congress
A. a means OF crushing treason. IL Is all wei
enough to talk about the Union being OF NOR,
value than the preservation or than the obol'-
ton o.. slavery, and the Presidents opinion on
tins subject agrees in the main with that Of all
loyal men. But Mr. Greeley letter was urg-
ur the emancipation Of the slaves o! rebels as
a means of speedily crushing treason aud RS
,orinp the Government 10 ihe full yiudeatlun
OF its authority in all paris Of the lnlol and the
Presidents views as ~ whether such war pol.
,ey would. or would MT, advance such result
was what che letter in the Tribune called ior' II
i, called Tor any response And 1t is just here
ina, the rcspons has uo certain meanns and
!, tar. might just as well not have hccu made.
We understand that, theoretically. It may be
.ytasd that Mir Lincoln thinks such course
i, Ee Ir,5aae urges would work more injury
than benefit to the Government Ii adopted, IN
a,lnaeh as Ire docs i adopt a. whsle he asserts
a.maelf ready TO crush Slavery in order 10 save
the Union. But this would have been just as
clearly inferred IT be had remained silent, and
has letter here glycs--eycu by implication
no licht we did no; have b3!lta 1t IS in
short. 50 far az an annunciauou of policy is con-
eeynei entirely unsatisfactory, unless the