Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-05
What Next9

since that is the apology for the act OF eman-
cipation-has been received with satisfacto-
ry degree of popular favor. Some, to be
sure, express subdued and respectful dis
sent from its policy. Very rarely one is bold
and reckless enough to denounce it altogether
and without trial. But opposition is always
aggressive-and scarcely ever more so than
when it is in a great minority and VIGOROUSLY
in the wrong. The disappointment of its
hope of some kind Of union in which slave
ry should continue an element of controlling
power will not suffer the opposition to be
quiet; but, like a perturbed spirit, it will wan
der abroad till it is laid by some firm and Wig
orous hand The act of the lst of January
was brave beginning of the process. 1t will
not require more than an earnest, intelligent,
and consistent support of the act to ensure a
Drawer end.
1t may be difficult. But national existence
is itself little difficult just now. Having
started, to go forward is the least of many
difficulties, while it gratifes at the same time,
certain sense of pride and personal honor.
But to go backward or to suffer the new meas
ure through inefhciency to fail, if it were
compatible with safety, would be attended
with ineffable and lasting shame. 1t may also
smooth the way for many who will have to
follow to know that it leads in the direction of
the established policy-the order of things
to preserve which is the obligation of true
conservatism. The destructiveness of the new
policy has nothing more radical in view thanthe
reduction of the enemy's works. Its conser-
vatism has nothing less precious to care for
~ than the country itself, with its large and gen.
erous liberties unimpaired. All genuine con-
servatism now appeals for the vigorous pros
ecution of the anti-slavery experiment; while
the vicious and dangerous radicalism of the
country-either in open rebellion or in politi-
cal conspiracy-is banded for its defeat.
But the difficulty will be greatly modified if
the government is sincerity DESTROYS to secure
the freedom of the slaves, and to put their
freedom, when it is secured, to some practical
use. There is a mine of power in that unex-
plored darkness which three generations Of
with contempt or fear. ''Why do you treat
that man with such contempt" said an Eng.
fish gentleman to a Brahmin. because,
replied the lsrdly priest, she is Parah p
But when the Brahmin's temple is in flames
and the holy yestments are shrinking before
the devouring heat, he is a mailman if he re
fuses the help the Pariah extends to him, anC
which may be sufficient for his need. Ash
any American Brahmin, who believes tina
heaven is composed of pure Caucasians, why
he looks so loftily upon the black man at hi
side. He will tell you-ifhe speaks truth, which
is not to be taken for granted-it is because
he Is a Stare. 1t is his infinite social degra
dation-degradation to which the hard and re
lentless hand of superior hostile race hold
him downfall has made him the Pariah O.
the land. Lift him into freedom, make hin
in the essentials of manhood the peer of hi:
oppressor, tell him he is the master of the
robber who would destroy any right which
the law gives him, or which God gave him be-
fore the law was made, and you make him a
once power in the land which it will not bt
safe or profitable to despise.
That such scheme is no wild dream o
philanthrophy, read the testimony of Genera
Butler, who has never been accused at leas
of such weakness. Read the testimony o
every general, whatever his political antece
dents may have been, who has given hmsel
to the war without reservation, and desires
to preserve the national integrity and homo
whatever else perishes. Read the testimon,
of every thoughtful and observing Statesman
who has seen the government and the army TO
two years recklessly dashing like blind ba
against the black walls of that institution
without the first serious thought till now O
razing it to the ground. They all, without al
exception, demand that it should be over
thrown, and that the slaves-slaYes no longer
but freemen in the fullness of their restored
manhOod-should be used wherever there is
post to be defended or field to be won. Viii
the government be wise in time?