Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-27
President Lincoln and Slavery.

denying the act Of Gen Hunter, in his recent
order freeing the slaves in his department, he
could do no less than he did, in making public
that disayowal, and declaring the order, so far,
void. 1t is obvious that Gen. Hunter should
not have yentured upon issuing such an order
unless he had the fullest assurance that would /
be approved at headquarters, as It is quite too
important n matter, irrespective OF what might T
be its effect upon what we usually designate rs
the Border State sentiment, to be inaugurated ex-
cept with the appreciation Of the commandcr-in-
chief. And, after it was issued, if the President
did not deem the necessities Of the wal demand
ed such step, and he found, at the same time,
thaf it was causing uneasiness among sensitive
Shareholders, il became his duty as well as his
right, to nulhfy the Objectionable and unau-
thorzed part Of the order. Gen Hunter IS
not commander-in-chiei, and it is well that he
and all other Generals, not excepting those
most Landed, as well as those most abused,
should be reminded Of that fact, and should be
made to understand that he who by the sui
frages Of the people occupies the executive char
in the Government is, by right-a rght lnde-
spensabe to the preservation OF our liberties
far above any General in the field. The cyi
power in The Government may need that shield
yet, and we rejoice to know that while Mr.. Lin
coin is President they will ever have 1.-THE
military arm of the Republic being kept by his
wise frmncss in its proper differentiation to the
civil as well as military head Of the Nation.
But while the President WAS declaring void an
act which had no authority, and OF the necessity
os which he was not persuaded, he also took u
most opportune moment to reiterate his most
solemn convictions OF the necessity OF getting
rid of slavery and we are confident that the
historian Of these times will find in this, as in
Mr.. Lincoln s emancipation message, an evidence
of the profound and earnest purpose OF the
President to link his name with the great work
of making this Republic Tree from the great
and wicked stain OF slavery. And, while we
read this portion OF his manly proclamation, we
cannot regret that Gen. Hunter should have
hastily published the order which has given the
President occasion to thus put himself again,
and more unequvocally than before. upon the
record, as the earnest advocate and worker for
Freedom There was need that he should do
so ,-not that he had given occasion for the per-
sistent Misrepresentation of his views and wishes
on the subject by the pro-savery press of the
country, but because that press had, without
reason or facts, sought to lessen the force Of his
emancipation scheme by representing it as only
stroke Of policy,-an impracticable proposal
and therefore of no account, and only
thrown out TO quiet the clamors Of " abolition
agtators.' The President. in this declaration,
leaves no room for doubt. The part of his procIa.
nation calling attention to the resolution which
he had recommended, and which had passed
Congress by 50 decisive vote, was, in no sense,
germane to the subject OF Gen. Hunter order,
and was more unexpectedthan the proclamation,
OF the order which called it out. The President
might have contented himself with the negative
pait OF his announcement, and. even then, anti
slavery men could not have reasonably COM
planned. Bat the President did not ito that,
but took the occasion to address an earnest,
beseeching appeal to the Slave States TO co.ope =
ate with the general Government in removing
this gigantic evil from the Land. lie disclaims
Gen. Hunters method, but ut the same instant
urges his own ana he urges it with an empha-
sis OF entreaty that is significant Of the pro-
found convictions OF his own heart, and judg
mcnt, and of Il purpose that will not slumber
or halt in its movement towards It's consumma-
ton
We have 10 disposition to quarrel with respect
to the means by which such an ultimate good
can be reached. We are content with any road
that will reach it which the governm, mt and
people can lawfully take. We desire the end, and
while We are satisfied that the Government equal.
| ly desires that end, we can, without heat or ten.
!
the Ptcsidents way is better than Gen. Hun
tcrs. We are also convinced that Mr.. Lincoln
has no prejudice agalns; better way than hi,
own. Ia tins faith we can wait
No man can now " be blind 10 the signs Of
the times" God, in his providence, is moving
against Slavery, and making the institution the
/
3 trument OF it's own destruction. He is educa-
ting the people by sore punishmeots, by plaques
and by judgments to let the bondmcn go free.
Those who have lived and iattened upon uucom.
ponsated labor resist, and those who have made
political capital and commerce out of it demur
and hold back, needing not the admontion, OF
wickedly hoping to obstruct the manifest march