Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1864-07-14
4 HISTORICAL ENIGMA.
JFrcm the National Inteligencer.I

IA the course OF uiSCuSSlou Il1to "e'o
IN The House of Representatives on the 2oth
ult. Mr. Mallory, of Kentucky, expressed the
oninion that the whole theory of the Admins
5ra1;on IN the conduct of thu war had been
changed by the preliminary proclamation OF
Characterization issued by Mr. Lincoln on the 22d
Of September, 1862; and he further lntima'ed
a belief that it was the "pressure' OF certain
Rennblican Governors, assembled IN conVen-
r;on at Altoona, in Pennsylvania, which, IN
connection with other influences tending to
the same end, bad caused the President to
abandon his original policy in this matter. 1t
was in the presence Of this statement that
MIR. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, well known
IS an urgent patron Of the proclamation ana
who at the time OF it's promul cation was hold
ing an important Office in the Treasury Oe-
nartment, rose in his place in the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES and made the following an
uonncement which elected much curiosity:
s.Mr. Boutwell, The gentleman from Ken
lucky Mr. Mallory said this morning that the
whole policy of the country was changed BY
The proclamation of The President, and ne at.
trituted that proclamation to the meeting OF
fte Governors III certain States at Altoona |
am not here to be put upon the witness stand,
but il SO happens that | have the means OF
knowing that the proclamation OF the Septem
Der. 1862, WAS entirely independent OF and an
recedent 10 the meeting OF the governors at
Altoona. The meeting Of the Governors had
no connection with the proclamation. Inc
gentleman from Kentucky should remember
chat prior to the issuing OF that proclamation
we had met with but few successes, and that
We had endured many reverses. Lee had bat
lied for four days under the Qualifications OF
the capital, and had finally crossed the Poto~
mae into Maryland. 1t was not until the
country put itself on the side Of justice that 1t
had right to expect the favor of Divine Prov
idence. or any Of those successes which have
rendered this war glorious in the cause OF tree
dom, truth and justice. ;.
Mr.. Boutwell, informs US that it is within his
own knowledge that, previous TO the date OF
it's utterance, the President had decided N
certain contingency, which hal pened upon, the
Wednesday preceding the 22d OF September.
20 issue the proclamation )" and Mr.. Lovejoy
informs US that this Contingency was q
Union victory But, if this be true: how
did it come to pass that, only nine days before
the emancipation proclamation was officially
promuged, the President, in reply to the ur-
gent pressure of the Chicago deputatlon, as
signed at such great length and with sucn
earnestness the reasons which demonstrated
to his mind the impoicy OF any such measure
on general grounds? If we are to believe Mr.
Boutwell, and Mr.. Lovejoy, the President had
determined to issue this proclamasloh, IN
certain contingency, at the very time when he
was arguing against it to the Chicago members.
These views Of the proclamation are genera, in
their nature, applying to it as we'll after as be-
fore the battle Of Antietam. Now, what were
the considerations which caused the President
40 suddenly and at the same time so radically,
TO change bis convictions Of the expedlency OF
this policy We regret that we have never
had any light on this point.