Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-05-28
A Proclamation by tho President Of the
United states.

Whercrs, There appears In the public
prints what purports to be proclamation
of Major Gen. Hunter; and whereas the
same is producing some excitement and
Misunderstanding, therefore |, Abraham
Lincoln, President os the United States,
proclaim and declare that the Government
of the United States had no knowledge or
belief of an in tention on the part of Gen
Hunter to issue proclamation, nor has
it vet any authentic information that the
document is genuine; and further that
General Hunter, nor any ether comman-
der or person, has been authorized by the
Government of the United States to make
proclamation declaring the slaves of any
State free; and that the supposed procla-
nation now in question, whether genuine
or false, is altogether void, so far as re-
spects such declaration.
| further make known that whether it
be competent for me as tn Commanderin
Chief Of the army and navy to declare
the slaves of any State or States free, and
whether at any time or in any case, it
shall have become necessity, indispen-
sable to the maintenance of the Govern
ment, to exercise such supposed power,
are questions which, under my RESPONSE
hility, | reserve to myself, and which |
| cannot feel justified in leaving to the de-
| cision of commanders in the field. These
are totally different questions from those
of the police regulations In armies and
| camps.
On the 9th day of March last, by a spe-
cial message, recommended to Congress
| the adoption of joint resolution, to be
| as follows:
"Resolred, That the United States
ought to cooperate with any State which
may adopt a gradual adjustment of sla-
very, giving aid to such States, in its dis
erection, to compensate tor the inconven-
| iencies, public and private, produced by
such change of system"
The resolution in the language above
| quoted was adopted by large majorites in
| both branches ofCongress, and now stands
an authentic, definite, and solemn propo-
| sal of the nation to the States and people
| most interested in the subject matter. To
| the people of these States, now, | earnest
| ly appeal | do not argue beseech you
! to make the arguments for yourselves. -
You cannot, if you would be blind to the
,i5ne l beg of you ;, calm anu enlarged
consideration of them, ranging, If 1t may
be- far above personal and party politics.
This proposal makes n common cause for
a common object Casting no reproaches
upon any, it acts not the Pharisee. The
change 1t comtemplates would como gent
y as the dews OF heaven, not rendin. nor
wrecking anything. VIII you not embrace
1t? So much good has been done by any
effort in all past time as, in the providence
of God, 1t is your high privilege to do -
May the vast future not have to lament
that you have neglected it.
In witness whereof L have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the Uni
ted States to be affixed Done a. the city
of Washington, this 18th day Of May, in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two, and of the indie
pendence of the United States the eighty
sixth.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President:
w H. SEWARD, Secy of State