Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-05-05
TRUTH OF RECENT HISTORY INDICATED

1t will be remembered by the reader that Prcsi-
dent LINCOLN, in his letter to COL HoDaEs, of
Kentucky, which We reproduced few days ago,
laid particular stress the fact serving to con-
cliate the people of that slaveholding State that
he had not laid strong hand on the ooored
element" until it seemed to him an indispensable
necessity to do SO, as afording hope, though
doubtful one, of saving the Union. To this effect
he wrote in hat letter as follows
When, early 10 the war, Gen. Fremont attempted
military emancipation, forbade it, because did not hen
think It an Indispensable necessity When little later
Gen Cameron then Secretary of War; suggested the arn
ing OF the blacks objected, because did yet think
it an indispensable necessity. When, still later Gen.
Hunter attempted military emancipation, again forbade
IT, because did not yet think the indispensable necessity
had come.
When, in March, and May, and July. 1862, made
earnest and successive appeals to the Border States to
favor compensated emancipation believed the indispensa
ole necessity for military emancipation and armng the
blacks ioouh come, unless auered BY that measure They
declined the propositions. and my best judgment
driven to the alternative of either surrsndering Union
and with it the Constitution of laying strong hand upon
the coored element chose the latter In choosing IT,
hoped for greater gain than loss but of this
entirely confident"
The reference made by the President to the part
which the Border slaveholding States had, as he
alleges, In precptating the alternative of "ayirg
strong hand on the colored element" by their
imputed rejection of his scheme for emancipation
with compensation, has doubtless recalled to the
mind of the intelligent reader the purport and
nature of the transactions in question.
We now learn for the first time that when the
President made this proposition to Congress, in
his special message Of March 9th, 1862, he be
leved that the indispensable necessity for military
emancipation and arming the blacks would come
unless averted by that measure" And this being
SO, it is greatly to be regretted that the President
did not communicate his forecast of the momentous
consequences depending on the adoption or rejes
ton Of that policy when he first preached it to
Congress. Or, if it was deemed imprudent to make
this disclosure to the country at the date of the
special message on the subject in March, 1862, it
was imperative on the President to have commu-
ncated this view of the matter to the Representa-
tives of the Border Slaveholding States when, for
the purpose of frankly explaining to them the OBJ
ject and effect Of his proposed policy, he called
Them to meet him in confidential interview on
the subject at the Executive Mansion on the 10th
Of March, 1862, three days after the communica-
tion of the special message to Congress.
But, SO far from doing this, the President left
upon the mind of those Representatives the impress
sion that he cherished no such Interior purpose
As he now avows to have been uppermost in his
thoughts at the time. We happen to know that
of those Representatives went to the conference
TO which he was invited with the determination of
satisfying his mind on this point, as he believed
that if the people of his State could automatically
learn that the proposition was submitted to the
Border States as " fnality" in the matter of the
Presidents policy the relations of slavery to the
var, they would be inclined to accept the plan, or
It least to give it favorable consideration From
the report of the interview had between the Presi-
lent and the Representatives of the Border States
the occasion designated, as drawn up Immediately
.fter the interview had closed by the Hon. JOHN
W. CRIsFIELD, of Maryland, and signed by Mr..
Jrittenden and others who we're present, we eI-
,ract as follows in relation to this point
"Mr. CRIsFIELD, of Maryland asked phat pouid be the
feet Of the refusal of the States accept this proposal
md desired to hnop the President looked TO any policy
kyond the acceptance or vejeetipn Of his sehsme
The PRESIDENT reptid that he had designs b,yond
nc nCttoH " pdrftcutdT shDJect. lie
'houd lament their refusal TO accept IT, but he had de-
igns beyond their refusal Of II.
MIR. MESZIEs, OF Kentucky, inquired If the President
thought there power except in the States them
selves TO carry out bis scheme of emancipation.
1.-The PRESIDENT replied he thought there not and,
according the structure of Government there could
rot be He then went of into q course Of remark not
qualifying the foregoing declaration, material to be
Deated to a just understanding Of his meaning.
"Mr, CRIsFEILD said he did not think the people OF
Maryland looked upon slavery permanent institution
and moth al thay ba -
ave it up provision made to meet the oss and they
oud be rid of the but they did like TO be coerced
no emancipation either by the direct action Of the Gov
Tnment or by indrectOn through the emancipation If
he slaves OF this District the coUfscation OF Southern
property threatened and he thought before they
would consent to consider this proposition they would
"a re to be informed on these points.
1.-THE PRESIDENT replied that, unless he was expelled
" the act OF God the Confederate armies be should
NAMED there Maryland had nothing tear either for her
sensbies her interests the points referred to
" MIR CRIsFIELD Immediately added: Mr.. President,
what you could be heard by the people of Mary
and they would consider your proposition with a much
better feeling than fear without it they would be in
clined to do
The PRESIDENT. That (meanng a publication OF
what he said will do it would force me into quar-
rel before the proper time and again ntimatiug az be
zion impending he said be did not wish to eocoun-
or 10 before the proper time at all if it could be
avoided"
1t is greatly to be regretted that the President
should not have understood the purport of Mr..
Crsfed's inquiry when he assured that gentle