Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-19
President Making at Washington

from asserting.
President Making at Washington
Discussion with reference to the ap.
preaching presidential election is newt
able. The political atmosphere is full Of
it. 1t colors most of the talk and action
in Congress. Many of the measures
proposed and the positions taken are en-
tirely strategical with reference to the
presidency, and have no significance and
no practical value in themselves. For a
week or two exploring for capital to be
used against the president, SO as to defeat
his denomination, has been the chief bu-
siness of the most active wing of the re-
publican party. Their great complaint
against him is that though he has done
everything they asked for, he did not act
soon enough he has been right but slow.
These men forget that within three years
they themselves solemnly resolved that
the war should not touch slavery, and
even went SO far as to adopt an amend
ment to the constitution to preclude any
future amendment that should enable
Congress to abolish slavery. Under these
circumstances reproach comes. from them
with an i'll grace. The opponents of Mr..
Lincoln have been hoping that he would
veto the amended confscation bill, and SO
give them another issue against him, but
he is not likely to crafty them, since the
biz as amended is limited in its applica-
ton to the Interpretation given to the
constitution by the courts and does not
fly in the face of the constitutional pro-
vision on the subject. Most of the nu-
merous propositions about slavery sprung
upon Congress daily are meant as traps
for the president. If the fugitive slave
law is repealed they think he will veto
the repeal, and that will give another
chance to raise hue and cry.
Now all this is contemplate business.
a fair discussion Of the presidents mer-
its and dement's is we'll, but these little
plots and tricks 10 array the anti-slavery
sentiment of the country against him are
pitifLl. If the people shall adhere to
their present purpose to re.elect him,
some republicans, now so rampant and
foul mouthed in their abuse, will have TO
eat great deal Of disagreeable dirt be-
fore next November. Congress and the
cabinet-and the president too, il he is
in it, as some charge-had better drop
this presidential stuff altogether and at
tend to the business of conducting the
government and putting down the rebel
lion. And a modicum of caution on the
part of the republican leaders would not
be untimely. The party has no such ex
cess of popular strength that it can afford
to disgust and repel any considerable
number of voters; and the opposition is
congratulating itself that it has only to
sit still and see the dominant party use
itself up-and it will realize its expecta-
tions if this miserable congressional
squabble goes on.
An amendment to the constitution to
abolish and prohibit slavery is desirable
and must eventually come. The only
question about it is whether it is timely
whether, since nothing practical is to be
gained by pushing it now, it is not better
to wait till all the states can vote upon il.
This is more to be desired, as the states
not voting must be counted against it, and
as it must be accepted by three>(ourths
oil a! ,he states, its adoption now is by
no means certainty. The truth is that
the destruction of slavery S already
made certain, unless we fail in the war,
for all the states exempted from the pres
ident's proclamation, except Kentucky,
have already determined upon its volun-
tary removal, and there is no reason why
Kentucky should not be allowed to fol-
low their example, as she eventually
must, even if little slow about it. Moth
ing is to be gained, politically or moral
ly, by driving her. The true emancipa-
ton policy is to push on the war. Moth
ing but successful fighting has emancipa-
ted the slaves already freed and only
that can free the rest. Slavery is to per-
ish, and there is no longer a question as
to the means. Bombs and bayonets have
begun and will finish the work, and the |
political doctors will never make anybody
believe that they did it by regular prac-
tice.-.Springtfeld Republican. !