The Portland daily press., 1862-12-13
One of the Presidents Reasons for Eman.
ciDatiOn.

One of the Presidents Reasons for Eman.
cipatiOn.
The Washington correspondent of the indie
pendent gives the following account of a late
interview OF a member of Congress with Pres
ident Lincon:
Mr.. Casey of Kentucky-the only emanci-
pationist in Congress from that state-had
very interesting interview with the President
day or two since. Mr.. Casey informed Mr..
Lincoln that while originally he did not like
his emancipation proclamation, that now he
did not desire him to go back-to retreat from
the position he had taken; it would be so uni
versally regarded as an evidence of weakness
in the Government. The President informed
him that he need have no fears on that score
he should not take back word. He had no
desire to interfere with the people of the loyal
states on this subject, and he would not do so !;
but as for rebels let them prepare for emanci-
patton!
Mr.. Casey shows that he possesses the old
fashioned Kentucky manliness and truth
Though this proclamation might not origin
ally have suited me-" says he, and even If
were not suited with it now, l would not see
you do SO cowardly a thing as to retrace
your steps at the dictation of Democrats and
Shareholders" These were not his exact words,
but they contain the meaning and sense of
these words.
In discussing the whole subject, the Presi-
dent gave evidence of much thought upon il |;
and some of his ideas were original and start
ling. One of them l will allude to in detail
Mr.. Lincoln said that he had often thought of
the narrow escape of the South from general
slave insurrection the winter after the election
of 1856. The Fremont campaign, as is well
known, was followed by one attempt at insur-
rection in Tennessee. The slave-masters of
the South charged the Republicans upon the
stump with desiring the freedom of the slaves !;
and not only that, but with purpose, If
Fremont was elected, of forcibly setting the
slaves free. The slaves all over the South
were full of discomfort at the defeat of the Re-
publicans. This discomfort in some localities
came near to developing into open insurrec-
ton. This fact made deep impression upon
the mind of the President, and he told Mr. Ca
sey that the slaves of the South understood
fully no,c, as they have never understood be-
fore, that the Northern people are friendly to
their freedom. Whether they arc mistaken or
not the whole slave population of the South
expects its freedom at our hands These
black millions are waiting patiently for their
time to come, and II the tcdr ends ,cithout
giring them their freedom they ,riU do IL =
This was the idea of tho President, and it
strikes me as very important one. 1t is
therefore, says Mr.. Lincoln, mercy to all the
parties concerned, to take the matter into our
own hands, for we can control 1t. The slaves
id their anger, should the war end without
giving them freedom, will burst out into cruel
Instruction, Such an instruction would
veay probably be accompanied with great at
roceties, as the slaves would act from feel
ing of bitter disappointment. Not SO now
Now they have every nducement in the world
to wait and act as this Government shall teach
them.
1t is probable that the slaves would be as
likely to rise in case the war ended with sepa-
ration, as If it ended with compromise and
union. No matter how the difficulties of the
Government eventuate, II the slaves are per-
mitted to remain in their ignominipus bon
dage, a terrible instruction is in prospect,
and cannot well be avoided The true rene
do is emancipation nop. The President
means to accomplish it if he can.