Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-02
THE DAILY SPY.

The presidents proclamation comes man
fully up to the reasonable eXpections of the
country. 1t is fulfilment of the promise of
the 22d of September, and binds the govern
ment irrevocably to the policy then declared.
Some, undoubtedly, will regret that it seemed
to him necessary 20 except from the opera
ton of his edict large sections of the cOun-
try whose loyalty has only been evidenced
by forced and reluctant submission to SUI
perior military power. They say if emanci-
patton is military necessity, why is it not
just as constitutional, and twice as prudent
and sensible to apply it to regions where the
slaves can be most readily reached, and made
the rebellion. Others who believe it is the
system itself that has offended and should be
plucked up by the root, will not willingly see
why one part of the tree should be privileged
to live longer than the rest. Let it be remem-
bered, however, that the president was re-
strained both by his theory of the power of the
executive and by his often-repeated pledges to
the states interested to interfere with slavery
only in ''insurrectionary DISTRICTS and then
only as last resort. His policy of emanci-
patton never contemplated anything farther
than this-and if there were expectations of
more than he has really done they were not
well grounded In this hour of good omen we
accept the proclamation with all its limitations
as a most cheerful and hopeful augury of sue
cess. 1t is Fremont's proclamation, with the
momentum of eighteen months, launched
into the heart of the&slave empire. 1t is
Gen. Hunters proclamation, rescued from
the reproach that was thrown upon it, and
enlarged till it covers four times the terri
tory, and nearly four times the number of
slaves then embraced within his jurisdiction
1t is the irregular practice of all the best
officers and troops who have been been sent
into slaveholding sections, approved by the
president as commander-in-chief and ele-
waited into the settled policy and law Of the
land. Whatever may have been the feeling
two years ago, when no man living foresaw
through what valley of the shadow of death
the nation was to pass, there is not now a
loyal regiment in the service which will not
welcome the proclamation as the earnest
of victory, and lend the renewed vigor of
their arms and hearts to make it effectual
What effect will it have on the slaves them
selves? Will they take advantage of the
right-the ancient and long-lost rght-that
has been restored to them? Will they accept
the opportunity that is offered to them, and
vindicate their title to freedom by their skill in
achieving and courage in defendingit? Will
they be found a source Of strength and power
to the Union cause in the places to which
they are accustomed, or will they falsify the
evidence of human nature by throwing their
labor and influence voluntarily on the side of
the oppressors and haters of their kind? The
decision of these questions may now settle
the fate of the rebellion, and even of
the country itself We do not believe they
will be found wanting. They have shown
their appreciation of liberty for fifty years by
taking it whenever they have had the oppor-
tunity. They have shown their friendly dis
position to the government and their readi-
ness to serve it with all their might wherever
they have had the power. But all speculation
is vain and useless. The great change is in
augurated. Every day will develope its fruits.
Whether that powerful system, the many
years curse and terror of the land, with its
lines reaching into and forming part of eve
ry branch of southern institutions and south
ern life, is overihrown in a month or
year, or not till after many years of pur-
gatorial sorrow, there is always the assurance
that the government is no longer its champion
against the slave. The president has turned
his face to the sun, and he will not walk back
ward. He is assured that what he has done
as military necessity is also right in itself.
1t is humanity. 1t is justice. 1t is political
wisdom. 1t is pure democracy. 1t is genu-
inc republicanisn. No honest effort in the
direction OF ends like these can wholly fail.
To have turned ones steps resolutely toward
justice is itself the beginning OF victory. Up
on such work as this the president will not
invoke in vain either the ultimate Judgment
of mankind or the favor of Almighty God.