Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-02-12
POLITICAL PROPHECY.

There is one form of political inquiry to which,
we imagine the most sensitive timeserver can
bring no objection, and in which he can dis
Germ no trace of disloyalty." II is that which
seeks to try the inspiration Of certain political pro-
phets by comparing their predictions with the
course of events.
Whatever may be said in defence Of the Eman-
cpation Edct,' it is at least very certain that it
has not brought to pass all the great things which
Its sanguine patrons expected at its hands.
So true is this, and SO universally is the fact sd
mtted by the best friends of that " war measure"
that Mr.. Wendell Phillips, in his recent speech
on "Our Future" expressed the belief that " The
President an has heart toby doubts pAether has
proclamation has done more harm than good"
Yet We all know the magnificent auguries under
which he was "pressed" to issue it.
Bringing to the tombstone Of experience few of
the predictions made by the New York Tribune,
in anticipation of the proclamation, the New York
World propounds the following significant inter-
rogatories:
procamation2 Have the roads swarmipg with
Union volunteers7' Gov Andrew) Have we seen
such multitude of slaves flying from every part of the
South that enemies must thenceforh devote half
their strength to keeping the rest backT (Tri1ume,
July ~ Have we Witnessed the consequence of the
emancipation edict, "a speedy aud overwhelming Union
triumph (Trbune, July 1917 Have three
times three hundred thousand born and naturazed YAM
KEGS, who never smet battle all join in the grand old
chorus OF human nature and its own clear, musical
glorious, hurling selfeydent words the old chorus of
liberty forever all join in aud march on, Knowing, every
blessed mothers Of them, that what is going to be
done now is to save the country (TriSune August
revo1 Tribune, August g. Did the proclamation, as
was predicted, Just lift the nation right off its feet,
and surprise it into one unanimous yell Of enthusiasm 2?
Tribune August g. Did the proclamation fulfill the
prophecy that it would give immediate reinforcement
to the Union armies equal to hundred veteran regiments
and fifty wel-served batteries 2 (7ribune, August
three mouths will the rebellion utterly squelched and
bring the traitors to their marrow bones Tribune,
December 6.")
Just month before the first Proclamation of
Freedom" was issued by President Lincoln, the
New York Tribune risked the proph cy that "the
war could not last until Christmas" il every fugi-
tive "who comes to us from Jeffdom be welcomed
as freeman" About two weeks before the edict
of last September 22d wa, issued, this same enthu
siastc journal expressed the belief that "if this
policy were once adopted good faith aud thorough
ly carried out, sixty days would amply suffice to
break the backbone of the shareholders rebellion -
Now that the policy has been adopted" as we
must suppose sin good faith" and is being car
ried out thoroughly" as the nature of the case
admits of, we are commended by the Tribune to
the following startling proposition in lieu of the
sixty days within which the backbone of the
shareholders rebellion" was to be broken by pre-
clamaticn, according to the prophecy adventured
by that journal on the 9th of September last. We
quote from the Tribune Of the 22d ultimo
If three months of earnest 6ghtng shall not
to make serious impression upon te rebels If the end Of
that tenn tha fCd further advanced than lis begin
ming if some malignant fate has decreed that the blood
aud treasure Of the nation sbal be quandered in
Ruthless efforts let Low TO destiny and make the
best atiainoblc peace"
1t is thus evident that the ecstsoy Of the poti-
cal inspiration under which the former predictions
made is fast passing away 1t was, there
fore, to be expected that our prophetic conteupo-
rary would begin to lose heart and hope; but il is
precisely at the point where such enthusiasts de-
spair that steadfast and courageous souls will
bear up and steer right onward"