The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-02-24
- % ss1a. Hannah aged 40 years, and

before the reOelnOn.
4. Washington dispatch states that there IS
10 be engrafted upon the enrolment BILL now
under consideration in the House, clause rem
dering the slaves of loyal and disloyal masters
liable to perform military duty-even the slave
preserving State Of Kentucky IS not TO be ex-
empt from this provision.
6. The action of Mr.. Summers resolution
few DAYS ago, which deliberately set forth the
duty of so amending the Constitution as to
prohibit slavery everywhere within the limits o:
the Republic" The resolutions we're referred
to the Judiciary Committee Of the Seuate, which
has since reported two resolutions, briefer than
Mr.. Summers but looking to the same result.
They are as follows:
"First-Neither slavery nor involuntary SER
vitude, except as punishment for crime where
of the party shall have been duly convicted,
sball exist within the United States, or IN any
place subject TO their jurisdiction
"Second - Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate legislation"
When passed by two-thirds Of both Houses,
and approved by the President, they mus: be
ratified by three fourths Of the State Legisla-
lures. All the free States, unless New Jersey,
chooses to remain alone in her glory" will
vote right So also will Maryland, Delaware,
East Virginia, and Missouri, now represented 10
Congress. Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee
vi sUUu De rupI 1s1utcd ~nldro @0ti sl@vOEy Con
stitutons, AID the assent Of these States added
70 that of the other named, will suffice TO abolish
slavery by constitutional prohibition. SO great
change cannot be expected without opposition,
nor in moment of time; buff cOnsummsted IN
even FIVE Oh ten years, it will sweep forever ev-
ery vestige OF slavery from the land, and re-
move all doubts and questions growing out Of
the Proclamatons of the President, or the acts
of Congress.
6. The manner in which this proposed con-
stiLutional amendment has been supported by
the New York Herald paper which IS sus-
tanned by hundred thousand haters of abolition,
is strong indication of the course OF public
opinion. A late number says:
awe would therefore earnestly call the atten-
ton of Congress TO tbs fact that there Is only
one way in which this slavery question may be
decisvely and permanently settled by universal
emancipation, and there is now the opportunity
for this great achievement. This way Is pointed
out in the federal constitution, and is simply an
amendment Of faat insfr,.Ine,st declaring slave
ery abolished throughout the United States"
In another article it declares that, cit has be-
come the policy Of the Northern Democracy and
all the conservative elements of the country to
take a new departure-to strike out boldly for
an amendment to the Constitution which will
forever settle this troublesome question of slave
nv by removing the institution from the coun-
try"
7. The New York, World, the greatest organ
of Democracy, heretofore most sturdy defender
of slavery, is now for sustaining the war, al
though the institution be destroyed 1t says:
"The emancipation proclamation is illegal in
PREVENTION, and we oppose it; but we are bound
TO support the Tdr until the rebels lay down
down their arms, aud the natural tendency and
necessary consequences OF the war 10 to shake
the institution OF slavery to its foundation"
g. We mightmention the strong feeling against
slavery which prevails in the army, through all
grades, from Major Generals to private soldiers.
WRsrGG military man bbss. found who has az be-
the army?
We might multiply evidences of this kind in.
definitely, but it would be useless. A straw will
suffice to show which way the wind blows; but
when great many straws, from different places,
are driven through the air at once, with great
swiftness, and all are going in the same direc-
ton, it is evident enough that there is a strong
breeze behind.
The sum Of the matter is just this: The Slave
holders can do nothing for the Democracy, nei-
ther can the Democracy do anything for Slavery.
The war has made great gulf between them, so
that neither can pass over to the other, and the
most the Democracy can do at its National
Convention in July, will be to express its sym
pathy for the dying institution, and lament the
untimely death Of its friend with whom it has
heretofore taken sweet counsel against the Abo-
Gtionists. But will it be wise for the Conven-
ton to do thiss The northern public, while il
may forgive 'the silent tear" of grief on the part
Of the Democracy, will not willingly endure very
loud lamentations for the decease of the dying
criminal. The graves of 2OO, 900 of its citizens,
which the monster has caused to be dug, are
yet too fresh to allow their friends to read, with
favor, any very eloquent eulogies on their coun-
try's greatest curse. The Democracy cannot
well be mourner at the funeral without being
tainted with the Odium of the crimes of the de-
ceased; and the wisest thing the Convention can
do, will be to ignore his qualities good or bad,
and leave him to get into bis hateful and dishon-
ored grave, in the best manner he eau.