American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-01-20

| lief the reasons which hlndered MI Lin
coin from adopting at the outside an Abo-
lition policy. The President could disre-
gard neither his oath of Office nor the
Federal Constitution; he had also to keep
in mind the opposition which plan of
emancipation would encounter in the loyal
States. The head of a great Government
cannot act with the freedom of philoso-
pher in his study, In truth Mr.. Lincoln
should be accused neither of timidity nor
indifference. Your letter recalls the meas
ures of his Presidency, abolition of Slave
ry in the Capitol and the District of Col
umbia, the proclaiming of freedom to fu-
gitive slaves, the principle of compensa-
ted emancipation submitted to all the 10y
al States, the death penalty actually infic-
ted on Captains of slavers, the treaty with
England admitting the right Of search,
the establishment of diplomatic relations
with the black Republic of Liberia and
Hayti, the arming of free negroes, and at
last, when the length and gravity Of the
war sanctioned an extreme exercise Of
the powers of Commander-in-Chief, the
absolute and final suppression OF Slavery
in all the revolted States.
We, gentlemen, are Abolitionists; and
we declare that we have never hoped nor
wished for more steady, rapid, and reso-
lutte progress We have understood the
difficulties which surrounded Mr.. Lincoln.
We have honored his scruples of con-
science with regard to the Constitution of
his country which stopped his path. We
have admired the courageous good sense
with which he moved straight on, the in
stant he could do so without danger to his
cause or violation of the law.
Wonder is expressed that Slavery is
abolished in the revolted States and yet
preserved in the loyal States T! In other
words there is wonder that he who is sworn
to obey the Constitution, should respect
it. Let no one take alarm at this There
is no danger that the domestic institu-
ton" crushed in the Carolinas and Louis
lana will long survive in Kentucky or Ma
ryland. Already as you have stated to us,
a solemn proposition has been made to all
the loyal States; already one of the most
important, Missouri, has set the example
of acceptance. To be thus uneasy about
the maintenance of Slavery in the North
argues to our minds quite too much ten
derncss for the South. We look with sus-
picion upon this pretended Abolitionism
whose unfriendly exactons were first put
forth on the very day illumined in Amer
lea by the dawn of abolition. We frank
ly say we could never have foreseen that
the election Of Mr. Lincoln and the seve-
raj acts which we have just enumerated
would be an endless cause Of complaint,
and distrust and unworthy denunciation
from so many men who plume themselves
in Europe upon their hatred of Slavery.
And since to destroy the North in pub
lie opinion it was not enough to accuse it
of too much favor for Slavery, another
grievance has been found. The North
oppressed the South? The struggle was
for two nationalities The South had ris-
en- for independence
Its independence there were then sub
ect provinces in the heart of the Union
Doubtless these provinces had no part in
the government of the country, the South
had not the same rights as the North p
| OF course the South was held in this state
of inferiority and subjection by numerous
Federal garriscns? Not at all. All the
States enjoyed the same rights, took like
part in elections. If any section was ia
vorcd it was the South, to which further
suffrage was granted in proportion to the
numbe- of its slaves. If any advantage
had been enjoyed it was by the South,
which had given the majority Of Presi-
dents and chief officers. Yet in this free
country, a country without an army, and
whose material mems as well as laws were
sufficient barrier against oppression, in
such country We are told of province
claiming independence!
We are of your opinion, gentlemen,
that Independence antnatioadlity are words
too noble to be ABUSED In their abuse,
things are compromised, and the more no.
BILE and sacred these things, the more care
full should we be not to confound them
with what is neither noble nor sacred
revolt in the name If Slavery, fratri-
cidal revolt which would destroy free
Constitution and tear .sunder a common
country for fear lest th,re might be inter-
ference with the internal slave traffic. the
continued breeding in Virginia, the sale
and separation of families, and lest per-
chance some Territories should be shut out
| from the conouests of Sltyerv.