Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-29
From the Wisconsin State Journal.
& The Abolition Policy of the Administrator"

nv the neonle of the United States, took the
oath Of office as President and, in his inaug-
ural address from the steps OF the Capitol, de-
clared that he had "no purpose, directly or
"indirectly to interfere with the institution
. of slavery in the States where it exists. -
On the 22d of September, 1862, about eight
cen months afterwards, he issued proclaim
alton declaring that the slaves in all States
or parts Of States which should be found in
rebellion against the authority Of the Constl-
tuition and laws of the United States on the
lst of January following, would be declared
free, and the faith of the nation pledged to
give them freedom. The rebel States had
one hundred days notice. If they returned
to their allegiance they were promised the
full protection Of the Constitution and laws
and their slave property was not to be inter-
fered with. They declined to accept these
terms. They spurned the offer Of the Pres-
dent and persisted in their attempt to destroy
the Union. The President accordingly issued
his proclamation on the lst Of January last
declaring the slaves, in the insure ctionary dist
riots, forever free, and some hundred thousands
ofslayc who were at the beginning of the re-
bellion raising bacon and corn to feed the
bel armies, or cotton to purchase rebel pi
rates, or working upon rebel forts and erect
ing rebel batteries, have abandoned their
masters and large portion of them are now
working as teamsters, and excavators, or
bearing arms and fighting with signal gallant
ry under the flag of the Union.
This is what is called ''the abolition policy
Of the Administration" This is the founda-
ton, and the sole foundation for the charge,
constantly bruited, that the war is prosecu-
ted to free negroes and not to save the I'm
ion. Any man Of the least sagacty cannot
but see that those who make such a charge
and oppose the policy of the Administration
in using the slaves against the rebellion in
stead of allowing the rebellion to use them
against the Union, are more solicitous to pre-
serve slavery, unframed by the chances ofwar,
than to prevent the rebels from DESTROYING
the nation.
With an audacous faith III the stupidity of
their followers the leaders ofthe Copperhead
Democracy haze the hardihood to accuse the
President of violating the promise IN his in
augural address not to interfere with slavery
IN the States where it exists, by the proclama-
ton of emancipation. They assume that reb-
els and traitors are entitled to the protection
of the laws and the Constitution the same as
if they were loyal. They hold the President
bound to treat rebels as if they were loyal
men In their estimation, the Constitution
is contract which only binds one party.
And there are men in the North ignorant and
stupid enough to gobble down this fapdoodle,
and actually to believe that the President has
violated his pledge
To illustrate the absurdty of the charge
brought against the President, We will suppose
a parallel case SMITH comes into possession
Of certain premises adjoining those of quar-
relsome individual whom we VIII ell JONES.
On meeting JONES, he finds him as usual in
surly mood, and attempts to conciliate him.
"My dear sir" he says, " [ assure you that it
is my earnest desire to live on good terms
with you | have none but the kndest feel |
ngs towards you. As we are going to be |
ncighbors let US try to get on pleasantly to- |
gether, and pledge you that will not inter
fere in any way with your affairs, but will en-
deavor to observe all the rules of neghborly
good feeling and friendship"
JONES remains incorrigible. He rejects all
overtures of friendship. Moreover he tells
SMITH that he is vulgar fellow that the
JoNEsEs belong 20 a superior race; that
SMITH must vacate his own premises or he
will wiring his plebean nose for him. and that
the JoNEsEs will never live alongside of such
vulgar fellow. SMITH mildly but firmly e1-
presses a purpose to occupy his own posses
sions. Thereupon the blue-blooded JONES
proceeds to put his threat i'll execution. ooh,
don't ~ roars SMITH while his nasal promon-
tory is being deliberately tweaked, and renews
his protcstations of friendly sentiments
SMITH is big, burly, good-natured fellow,
and JONES is little, but irascible and furious
and so JONES only replies to these protesta-
tons by redoubling his twinges until the nose
sheds claret profusely "Look here" says
SMITH, at last beginning to get thoroughly
"riled, ""if you don't let go of my nose within
three minutes, | shall hit you'll" JONES is in
credulous He thinks a fellow that has
borne so much without hitting back will
not hit at ALL and he continues to tweak
the prominent feature. SMITH, the great Tub
berly, strong, patient fellow, blubbers with
pain meantime. but true to his word waits for
the expiration Of the three minutes, his tor
mentor continuing meantime his diaboGcal con
duct. But when the time is up, he suddenly
fetches him a side-winder that nearly knocks
the breath out of his little body.
Thereupon, rs he is reeling from the effects
of the blow and in imminent danger of go
ing to grass" Jones half-brother, who has all
this time been looking on and encouraging
him with mods and winks of approval, rushes
up and shouts out to SMITH at the top of his
voice: ooh you great overgrown villain
you! Haven't you any regard for your pledg-
es? Didn't you just tell my brother, in my
hearing, that you would not interfere in his
affairs? Didn't you say that you would treat
him in friendly manner? And now you
strike him a rufianly blow This is the way
you keep your pledges, is it? This is what
you mean by not interfering in my brothers
affairs, Ell? Oh, but you pink of con-
sistency, aren't you, you brute !"
Nevertheless, SMITH, whose dander is now
II Il :.