The New York herald., 1862-03-08
solution and Settlement OF the Slavery
Question by President Lincoln.

question submitted by Presidens Lincoln in his
late special Message to Congress is so simple,
so just so profound and comprehensive that
we may pronounce it as reaching the final solu-
ton and settlement Of the most perplexing
| difficulty in our political system.
Through all the violent sectional agitations
of our Southern system of slavery, extending
through period of forty years, and culminat-
| ing in this Southern rebellion, no scheme of
| adjustment has been advanced by any of our
| greatest statesmen so we'll calculated TO meet
the requirements Of our supreme organic law
and the necessities of the case as this simple
proposition Of MIR. Lincoln. Submitted, too, as
il is in the face of new abolition agitation, urg
ing the provocations Of the rebellion as a warrant
for the absolute extirpation of Southern slavery
by fire and sword, this seasonable counter propo-
sition from the President is, Of all things the
best calculated to meet the dangers and the
exigencies Of our present situation. Looking
at the subject in all its multifarious aspects
political, financial, social, moral and religious
in connection with this broken and falling re-
bellion, the country has reason to be thankful
for this great scheme of peace, reunion and
harmony.
In recommending to Congress the adoption
of a resolution announcing the readiness of.the
general government to cooperate with any
State concerned (which may adopt gradual
abolishment of slavery" in pecuniary aid to
such State, to be used in its discretion, and in
compensation for the 'inconveniences, public
and private, produced by such change of
SYSTEM" Mr.. Lincoln reafirms the institu-
ton of slavery as q local matter abso-
lutely under State control, and pointedly re-
Dukes all such violent and lawless schemes of
emancipation and confiscation as those of Sena-
tor Sumner, Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, and their radi-
cal abolition associates. With this rebellion
tightly within his grasp, Mr.. Lincoln proclams
to the revolted States that, in returning to the
Union, their constitutional rights as they were,
will be retained, and that each State concerned
will be left perfectly free to choose between
the retention and the gradual abolition of
slavery. This official declaration of itself can
not fail to exert wholesome influence in favor
of peace throughout the South; and, if seconded
by Congress, it will leave the intractable man.
ayers of this rebellion without pretext of Jus.
tiication among honest men at home and
abroad.
It becomes, then, the first duty of the two
houses of Congress to adopt the resolution
suggested by the President; and then, in
order to give practical force to the policy
thus proclaimed, it will become their
duty to provide the ways and means for
giving the financial aid promised to any
State undertaking the gradual abolition of
slavery. To this end a sinking fund of five
hundred millions would be a judicious financial
basis, and new schedule of tax bills should
be devised for the purpose of raising the
money. Two hundred and fifty millions would
suffice, if our estimates of emancipation are to
be limited 10 the border slave States of Della
ware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Mis-.
souri, Putting their aggregate slave popula-
ton at nine hundred thousand souls, and the
government contribution for their emancipa-
ton at three hundred dollars per head, the re-
served fund last named would suffice, taking
into consideration the delays incident to the
voluntary action of the several States con-
cerned Five hundred millions, however, will
probably be needed if we intend to include in
this work of freedom the States of North Caro-
lima, Tennessee Arkansas and. Texas. Beyond
these, we presume, Mr.. Lincoln has no idea in
any event, of any voluntary steps towards
emancipation.
We have put the subscription of the govern
ment in this enterprise at three hundred dollars
for every slave emancipated under this pro-
posed system, because it is the sum indicated
in the notice of bill which Mr.. Senator Will
son intends to try in reference to Della
ware and Maryland, and because, from this
notice, we presume, Mr.. Senator Wilson has
had some knowledge, in advance, Of the views of
the President upon the subject And why should
Congress or the American people hesitate, as
a commencement, at additional taxes of say
two hundred and fifty millions to relieve
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and
Missouri of an institution which has become a
burden to them, but of which they cannot re-
lieve themselves without ruinous losses and the