Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-08-27
INrERRoGATINa THE FUTURE.

The subjoined letter, addressed to US by an emf
nent gentleman in Border Slave State, may pos
sibly not have been designed for publication; but
as it presents the views of an enlightened and
thoroughly loyal citizen, and being very sugges-
tive both in regard to the important past and the
unknown future of the rebellion and especially in
regard to the difficult questions which will arise
to "plague the inventors" after the fighting shall
cease, we have concluded to lay the communication
b fore our readers. All the remark we have to
make on it is, that in the few opinions which the
writer expresses we entirely concur, but touching
bis inquiries into the nature of the adjustments
which wall devolve those who direct the national
cause, We are neither prophets nor the sons OF
prophets, we shall not venture a solution. How
Ia our judgment these difficulties might have been
avoided, it is not necessary for US now to say At
the time of the initiation Of the policy to which
our correspondent justly traces the embarrassmeDts
that now threaten to impede the advent Of peace
and restored Union, we freely, and to our cost,
stated our Conscientious convictions. The way is
even yet open-and the privilege is seldom 40
corded to Governments to etface an error and root
up the tares which it has sown-to rectify so much
Of the past as now deeply compromises the future.
1t may be that those who rule the destnies of the
country, and in whose discretion rests great step
in the road to pacifcation, may yet be inspired
with the magnanimity and the courage to take it,
and We almost hail as CLEAN of hope in that di-
rection remarkable article in the columns Of the
Government organ Of yesterday.
DELAWARE, August 19, 1868.
GENTLEMEN The object of this letter 10 to express my
thanks for the article in the Intgsncer of the 18th
der the heading OF "Where vet" Its positions so
completely describe my own and its illustrations
pointed that it may be hoped the attention of those
bsrnacles (snd there such) not attached by
MARY interest to the ship of State may be awakened to the
perous condition into which the stoim raised by anat
csm is driving her.
In reading the article question suggested itself which
may merit not only the attention of the Inlegencer but
of the whole people, who any hope for restoration
of the Union viz: What to be the effect Of the emanc
patton proclamation upon slavery State institution
after the war Can the question Of the legal status of
slave emancipated by the aforesaid proclamation W there
be- One) be submitted to and determined by the courts
either Federal or Statef Has any court the power to
change freemans condition and remand him into slave
ry whether he be legally declared free declared free
under the emancipation proclamation know it is held
by very many we'll informed persons that the procama-
ton" is meaeure" and that the closing OF the war
will restore State rights under restored Union precisely
they existed before secession began its horrd
notwithstanding such any other
authorized BY the Constitution of the United States
would gladly believe this myself aud have it not only be
eved universally but firmly adhered to by the Admins
taton and published to the world But s it trus Can
the President declare negr free day and permit his
return to slavery tomorrow in consequence of sentence
of court Emancipation appears to be the object and
to effect throughout all the States the present aim Of
the Is peace possible until this object attared
If be possible, would like much to know how phoul
it how piA it We, here in Delaware care little about
the possession of saves, do not consider them valuable
and but few comparatively disposed to be troubled
with them but do not admit the right OF any power
person citizen the State to take any action
whatever the premises; and hold that when the
National Executive claims The power to aid in eff citing
emancipation he usurps it, and ought TO be firmly resisted
by all lawful because it the right Of the people
Judge about it for themselves and establish
abolish slavery they deem proper Auenced by any
consideration apart from their duty citizens of the State
and of the United States to themselves and their pos
tsrity.
have thought it proper to submit these remarks in
orler to advise the Inegencer Of the state Of feeling in
little State, and believe have truly represented
large majority OF our population
Your article is full of suggestions IT, as seems proba
be the present object of the should be continued
it's close if it be closed under the present Administration
where shall we be in another year.