The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-05-22

southern Democrats--was originally
prosecuted on Northern Democratic
principles. Whatever may have been
lis real convictions, Mr.. Lincoln did
not seem to doubt that the compro-
mises of the Constitution could be
maintained in behalf of traitors in
arms. Believing that the Union and
slavery could both be saved, he nulli-
fed Fremont's and Hunter proclaim
ations He allowed slaves to be re-
turned to rebel masters, until Butler,
that noble Democratic patriot, dis
covered that slaves are contraband of
war. This policy the President adj
hercd to while there was any hope Of
success.
Our President knew as all men do,
that to conquer and hold the South as
an integral part of our Union by main
force is impracticable; and his Dem
ocratic policy was based upon the
'lpresumption, that, after we had con
'IquGcd any considerable part of the
enemy's country, the citizens would
return to their duty with their slaves.
This presumption failed. Some slave
owners did return to duty, but they
returned anti-slavery men. Western
| Virginia returned, but it returned an
Abolition State. When New Orleans
, was invited by Butler to return, its
fvery women spit on him. Under
b Banks they are returning, and proba-
, bly, another Abolition State will be
carved out of Louisiana and NIissis-
sippi in less than year. This re-
: minded the President that the Union
= can co-exist with liberty-but no
E with Slavery. Events made the fact
, as clear as noon day, that the organi.
} cation of pro-slavery Union element
in the South is impossible. And
since it is impossible to bring and
= hold the South in the Union by force
: we were obliged to organize a Union
= element there or to yield to rebels
, There was nothing left the Govern.
, ment but to organize an Abolition
Union element in the South. And
let it be distinctly understood, that
: this policy which the Government
: has at length boldly adopted, is not
ensured by the Southern friends Of
: the Union; but by the Northern friends
of dis s-union. More than half of those
= who oppose the policy, openly say
, that we cannot succeed in this war
= they know that failure is dis union.
t The slave is the basis of rebellion.
+ Mr.. Lincoln makes the negro Ga slave
no more an element of Southern pat
9 riotism. This was necessity. The
t negro was often repulsed and the
5 white man invited to duty by the
r Government. The repulse and invi.
= tation were both unheeded. The ne
4 gro stood praying for work; the white
r man fought against us. Military ne
cessity forced Butler to call soldier:
E to the defense of New Orleans. They
came, and Butler gives them sucf
4 praise as none but true soldiers cal
1 hope to win from that man of IRON
D The same necessity acted upon Hun
: ter. If the Administration goes fur
: ther than mere necessity requires, a:
v it seems about to do, and makes {
# general use Of the negro, at the trencl
and in the battle, tens Of thousands o
Northern white men will be saved tC
their country. This will be just t.
: oil parties. For since it is determin
ed that the slave must 60 free, it il
right that Themselves should strik,
! the blow"
y Our present policy toward the Soutl
is not that of destroyers. That wa
our first policy. We wished merel,
to break their military and let then
3 reorganize their political power
Their refusal to organize politica
: power under the Constitution in con
quered sections, made it necessar.
: for us TO do so. And we appeal u
: any son of the North to say whethe
it would become us to organize
: slaveholding power, even had we tn
power, which, in fact, we had not
We are gradually establishing in tn
!. South the glorious idea Of albert.
I and Union, one and inseparable," ant
Y soon Davis, Yancy, Toombs and thei
: conspirators will be swept away will
3 their pet institution, and our countr.
: will be left forever free. j. b. d.
c The Only Safe Retreat.
= A negro preacher in the course Of
o. sermon said: