The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-10
The Effect of the Presidents PrOclama'
ton on the Rebels.

As might be expected the rebels are ram
pant over the emancipation proclamation OF
President Lincoln. The rebel Congress talks
about the black flag, retaliation and servile
instructions. They will doubtless succeed
in infusing little more vigor into the war
on the spur of this measure, but they will
hardly be able to adopt any more barbarous
or savage practices than they have INDUCED
in all along.
The fact is our government has got to put
down this rebellion by brute force; it has got
to overcome the entire physical strength of
the rebels, and any threats Of the black flag
and retaliation should not deter the govern
ment from going forward in its duty. Before
adopting any such measures the traitors will
probably stop long enough to consider if two
cannot play at that game.
The following action was taken in the reb-
ell Congress on the arrival of the news of the
Presidents action:
In the rebel senate, on the 29th of Sept,
MIR Semmes of Louisiana, submitted the fol-
lowing joint resolution:
Resolred, by the Congress of the Confeder-
ate States, That the proclamation of Abra-
ham Lincoln, President of the United States
of America, issued in the city of Washing
ton, in the year 1862, wherein he declares
"that on the LIST day of January, in the year
of our Lord 1868, all persons held as slaves
within any State, or designated parts of a
State, whereof the people shall be in rebel
lion against the United States, shall be hence
forth and forever free" is levied against the
citizens of the Confederate States, and as
such is gross violation of civilized warfare,
an outrage on the rights of private property,
and an invitation to an atrocious serv:le war,
and. therefore. should be held up to the exc
Grafton humankind, and counteracted by such
retaliatory measures as in the judgment Of
the President may be best calculated to Sc.
cure its withdrawal or arrest its execution.
MIR Clark of Missouri, moved that the res.
olltion be referred to the committee on for
eign affairs. He was in favor of declaring
every citizen Of the Southern Confederscy a
soldier, authorized to put to death every man
caught on our soil in arms against the gov.
eminent.
Mr. Semmes ofLouisana, said that the res.
olution had not been drawn without reAec
ton. The question of retaliation was exclu.
sive,y an executive one, to be regulated by
circumstances. But it was proper that the
legislative department of the government
should express its approval of the retaliation
contemplated by the resolution.
MIR Henry of Tennessee, said that the res
olution did not 60 far enough. He favored
the passage of law providing that upon an,
attempt made to execute the proclamation O.
Abraham Lincoln, We Immediately hoist thu
"black flag" and proclaim war of extermi
nation against all invaders of our soil.
MIR Phelan of Mississippi, said that he hae
always been in favor of conducting the wal
under the "black flag" If that flag had beer
raised year ago the war would be ended
now.
Mr. Yancey of Alabama, moved that the
pending resolution, together with the resolu
tons submitted by him some time since, rel
alive to retaliation, &c, be referred to selec
committee of three, and be made the specia
order for Wednesday next
Mr. Burnett of Kentucky, moved that al
of said resolutions be referred to the com
mittee on the judiciary. This was agreed to