The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-03-24
From the Nashville Union, l3th.l
The Emancipation Proclamation

No act of the President has called forth
such deluge Of abuse, jeers, and constitution
al twaddle from the opponents Of the Admin
istration as the proclamation of freedom to
those persons who are held 10 bondage in the
rebellious States and in rebellious district. OF
other States.
at is very unconstitutional; says the
Chicago Times.
cit is like the Pope's Bull against tho
comet;" says the New York Erpress.
:" 1t is 6run'tum .flumen;" says the Louis.
vile Journal.
"It is barbarous, says the Cincinnati En-
quirer.
Thus along the whole conservative line re-.
sounded imprecations, derisions, and lugubri-
GUS rrotestations.
The President was a savage, fool, a ty.
rant, bloody usurper, Nero, Caligula, a
cannibal, murderer of women and children,
ghoul, a vampire, a being whose ferocity
made the rage of Moloch appear merciful, and
the internal barking Of triple. headed Cerbebus,
the melodious voice Of syren. II the Pres
ident had been nervous man he would most
likely have thrown himself where the afore-
said newspapers deserve to be--in the bosom
of tho Potomac 1t is we'll for him that the
long howls of the wolf and the screams of The
wildcat lulled his infantile ears, and scothed
him to repose, in the wilds Of Kentucky, many
years ago. Early associations taught him TO
take things quietly.
But what is the testimony Of time in regard
TO the efficacy of this much derided and sbus-
cd proclamation? Let US consider. A few
months ago the rebels were sangune Of recog-
milton and open intervention bv foreign gov.
ernments, in their behalf. They we're saiis-
fled that Great Britain and Franco both long
ed for an occasion to succor the distressed
Southern Confederacy. Many of our wisest
and shrewdest politicians thought so also, and
we've deeply concerned at the imminent peril
of foreign Intervention, and war with one or
more nations Of Europe. The Now York
dailies which had correspondents in Europe,
repeatedly announced that we might expect
to hear Of the recognition of the Southern
Confsderacy, and foreign intervention by the
next steamer. The aspect Of our foreign af-
fairs was alarming. The language of Euro
peau officials seemed studiously frigid. We
all felt that the nation could aud would soon
conquer the rebels thoroughly, if We were un-
molested by foreign powers; but we felt at the
same time that foreign Intervention would
cost us many thousands more lives, many mil
lions more Of money, and many more years Of
embarrassment, darkness and sorrow
Now it is plain that next to The vigorous
prosecution of the war against the rebels, it
would be high achievement of craftsmanship
to take some step which would turn the tide
of popular feeling in Europe in our favor, and
SO make it highly Unpopular for any European
government 10 act adversely TO the interests
Of the Union. President Lincoln surveyed
the whole ground carefully, and saw
First, that slavery was powerful source Of
strength TO the rebels.
Second, that slavery was odious TO the
Sve.sixths of the American people.
Third, That blow at slavery, in the re-
bellious States, in the shape Of an Emancipa,
tion Proclamation, would not only be right
morally considered, but would enlist the ac-
tive sympathies Of the European people in
behalf of our Government, aud render foreign
intervention almost impossible. He conse.
quently issued his Proclamation to take effect
on the first day of the present year. The re
suits, hitherto, have been highly crcditab!e
to the foresight and sagaciy of the President
The immense gatherings Of the masses, over
great Britain, to endorse and applaud the
Proclamation; the eloquent orations for the
Union, delivered by the most popular orators
of Europe; the scathipg invectives agains
negro slavery, in the public journals, far sur
passing anything ever published beforo--al
go 10 prove that tho President has sounded a
blast, to which the orular heart Of Europe
beats in joyful response. Why, fsomo strange
infatuation, or lunacy were TO drive any Euro
psan monarch to send his armies to aid the
slave oligarchy, their sold ers would desert by
thousands, and join the flag of freedom.