New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-16
~, ~ vopK nA,ry TnInUNK SATURDAY. MAY 1s. 1863
fonsive on the side of thu Union-that Slavery

fensive on the side of thu Union-that Slavery
is the aggressor and has been Throughout
that, whether in the loyal or in the revolted
States, every essentially slavehol6ing commune
ty (say st. Mary's County, Maryland, or How
ard County, MissOuri) is in heart and purpose
on the side of JEFF. Davis and Secession, while
every substantially nOn-slavehOldiDg community
(witness Sewer County, Tennessee, or Har-
rison County, yirgina) is instinctively deter
minedly loyal and Union-lOving. Even in the
Notwithstanding States, the communities,
classes or individuals, who have been closely
and proftably identified with the slaveholding
interest, are at heart with the Rebellion, and
would rejoice to learn that its banners waved
in triumph over Washington, Baltimore aud st.
Louis.
9. The Union Government, in simple, naked
sef.defense, has been compelled to recognize
this grave fact, and to strike at Slavery to pre-
serve it's own life. 1t ought to have done
90 with entire consistency, by decreeing the
downfall of its arch-enemy in Tennessee, Mis-
souri,, and those parts of Virginia and Louis
lana under its control, and we think also 10
Delaware, Maryland aud Kentucky. There
was ample military necessity" for this, aud
it would have contributed immensely to our
success in the pending contest. President Lin
coins proler Of Compensated Emancipation TO
the loyal Border States was wise, prudent,
statesmanlike, aud the plan ought to have
been pressed to instant contamination.
3. 1t seems to us OF vital consequence to
keen this whole matter right end foremost-to
convince loyal Democrats, ready to fight Tor the
Union but not for Emancipation, that the war
i, waged on our side exactly and truly on
their ground and for the ends they approve.
We wish them to believe and feel what we
know to be true, that the President has from
first TO last made the preservation OF the
Union and the restoration OF the right
full. constitutional authority Of Its Government,
the pole-star of his course-that whatever ne
is impelIed TO do against Slavery is done ex-
pressly to save the Union and because Slavery
is an obstacle to it, restoration. We insist
that his power over Slavery flows entirely from
the htOtllOu uHu VIII WIN As-eh"s S"~N
Rebel State will recover oil the power it ever
had over the status of its own people
| By the simple and salutary process OF
ceasng to be Rebel, and becoming once
more loyal. We believe and hold, more
over, that the President has always had
power to accept the submission of any revolt
ed State to the Union, and with the consent
Of the Seuate) TO remit any penalties of con-
fscatiOn OF other disability which it has in-
Cured by the Rebellion. What he pN see fit
to do in any supposable case, we have never
inquired and do not pretend to know; but we
do insist-for We hold it imperatiyely neces.
sary that Democrats who may be drafted shall
understand and beleye-that he is not en-
shaved by bis ProclamatiOns of Freedom, but
is to-day ever has been and ever will be, at
perfect liberty to accept the submission OF the
reyolted States on whatever terms shall be
deeemed by him consistent with the integrity,
the perpctuity and the honor Of the United
States.
4. That honor, as We understand, imporatively
requires our Government 10 guarantee liberty
and protection to every person VINO shal, Dc-
cause of the Proclamations Of Freedom, have
come over to US from the enemy, and served,
or tried TO serve, the National causej but we
do not feel that we are under equal obligation
TO those slaves who (most reluctantly, we
doubt mott serve the Rebel batteries at Vicks-
burg Port Hudson, &c.-their masters watch
ing them from places of safety in the rear,
ready to shoot down any one who shall finch.
We trust the progress and event of the War
will secure Liberty to All; but we think the
obligation to these is not the SANE as to the
others.
And now, having given this whole subject
pretty thorough ventilation, allowing those
who dissent from our view far more space
than we have taken for our side, we propose
to stop the discussion right here, and devote
our columns to matters of moro imminent and
practical concern.