The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-04-23

Inc Following letter on the Presidency
was written by Owen Loyejoy, few days
before his death: 81 -i- Ao-
'fgd = WAsHrNaroN, Feb. 2e, 1864.
lI4aDEAR FRIEND GARRISON II write you,
although i'll health eompels me to do it by
the, hand of another, to express to you my
qualification at the position you have taken
in reference to Mr.. Lincoln. am satisfied
as the old theol5gians used to say regard
to the world. that If he is not the best con
ceiyable President, he is the best possible
/ have known something of the facts inside
during his administration, aud know that
he has been lust as. radical as any of his
Cabinet ~ any idea W hShe doeslnot5o ev-
erything that you or would like, the ques-
ton recurs, whether tits likely we can elect
man who would. 1t is evident that the
great mass of Unionists prefer him for re-
election /; and it seems to me certain that
the providence of God, during another term
will grind slavery to powder. l believe
now that the President is up wish the aver
aye of the House.
You viii notice that the House paid the
hundred dollars to the master instead of the
slave. And you will have noticed, per.
baps, also, that Henry Winter Davis has
made report in reference to Arkansas,
where he has put in the word "white" as
capitalization for voting. It is my pur-
pose, (by the way,) if l am ever able 10 be
in my seat again, to move to amend by
striking out the word "white.' And, il
possible, mean to bring the House to a
vote on 1t, and let them confront the ques-
ton face to face.
Recurring to the President, there are a
great many reports concerning him which
seem to be reliable aud authentic, which,
after all, are not so. 1t was currently re-
ported among the auti-slavery men Of Hi
nois that the Emancipation Proclamation
was exlorted from him by the outward pres
sure, and particularly by the delegation
from the Christian Convention that met at
Chicago. Now, the fact is this, as l had
ii from his own lips: He had written the
Proclamation in the summer, as early as
June, l lhink,-but will not be certain as
to the precise time-and called his Cabinet
together, and Informed them that he had
written it, and meant to make it; but want
ed 10 read it to them for any criticism or
remarks as to its features or details. After
having done so, Mr.. Seward suggested
whether it would not be we'll for him to
withhold its publication until after we had
gained some substantial advantage in the
fild, as at that time we had met with many
reverses, and it might be considered cry
of despair. He told me he though the sug
gestion a wise one, and 50 held on to the
Proclamation until after the battle of Ante
tam. %
mention this as a sample of great
many others. But / am wandering from
my purpose, which was simply to tell you
low much pleasure your position gives me.
I am also very glad to see chat Mr.. Thomp-
son. Of, England, speaks in friendly terms
of the President. If L were acquainted
with him. l would write and thank him al
so /; and hope you will say so to him.
congratulate him and the country on the
change which has taken place in relation to
slavery since he visited US before, and hope
l may have the pleasure of seeing him in
Washington during the session of Congress,
and will be glad to introduce him to the
President.
have also to thank you for sending me
the hiberator. During the past sessions,
when pro slaveryisn was in the ascendan Mt,
used to read your articles to renew and
strengthen my faith.
Very truly yours,
OWEN LovEJoY.
VIM. LLOYD Garrison.