The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-01-19

| have not the data at hand to show the
actual plumber that have been taken from
the rebels and placed in our lines by this
| proclamation, but that the number is large,
and In proportion as it is large is beneficial
to the government, is beyond question. =
Another strong reason in my judgement,
why this measure was fraught with great
good. may be found in its influence upon
foreign nations. There is no Disgusting the
fact that at the time this proclamation was
issued there was great danger of foreign in
tervention. Foreign nations, particularly
L4.o .4..d and France SO far as the aristo-
cratic portion of them are concerned, would
gladly see this government weakened by
disunion. This they have shown in many
ways. There is no question either, that the
great mass Of the people of England and
France are violently opposed to the institu-
ton OF African slavery. While, therefore
turalIy lead them to recognize the Southern
Confederacy, hoping to weaken us, the great
mass of the people of these nations, when
they saw this proclamation, and that the
perpetUation Of African slavery probably de-
pended upon their recognizing the Confcd-
eracy and sustaining the rebellion. their ha-
these governments, and recognition was
withheld. Had this proclamation been
withheld and this issue not been presented,
| the recognition Of the Southern Confederacy
by foreign powers would have been mere
than probable. The following extract from
late letter of Alexander II. Stephens, Vice
President of the so-called Southern Confed-
eracy, tends strongly to confirm this view
of the question. lie says: ''The silent sym
pathy of England France and other Euro
pean powers arises entirely from their ma
MIA upon the subject of negro slavery Lin
coin had either to witness our recognition
abroad, the moral power Of which alone he
saw would break down the war; or to make
it an emancipation war"
| 1t has been urged against this measure
that the black man would not fight Said
Jackson, at New Orleans, in addressing his
negro soldiers, 81 expected much from you,
for was not uninforned of those qualities
which must render you so formida Bile to an
invading foe" Again he says, ''But you
surpassed my hopes. have found in you,
united to these qualities, that noble enthusi-
asm which impels to great deeds" 1t ia
unnecessary, however, to refer to the opin-
ions held of these men, or their deeds of the
past, to refute this argument. We have the
proof Of their courage, valor and endurance,
now before our eyes. The present contest
furnishes ample proof, if any more were
needed, upon this point
! 1t has also been urged that it was dishon-
orable for the white soldiers to hight beside
the black man. | need only say in regard
to this, that Washington, jackson, Grant,
and many other great and good men fought
beside them, and did not consider themselves
dishonored. Thousands of our noble sol >
diers are fighting beside them to day with
honor and | strongly doubt that the man
who fails tc respond to his coudtrys call for
fear of being dishonored by fighting beside
the black manor of betting dishonored by
seeing patriotic black man offer up his life
on the altar of Liberty-wiIl be found
wanting on the day of trial, and fail to servo
his country under any circumstances.
But in examining this question, ought
we not to look farther than to the policy of
the moment? Ought we not to look to the
future, aud, if possible, SO guide our action
as to leave our country at the close of this
war in a condition 80 enjoy permanent
peace? And is not this measure calculated
by removing this exciting question of sIa-
very, to bring about this result and do we
not owe 1t to posterity, the opportunity be-
ing now clearly presented, by the act of
those who have claimed the right to hold
slaves and to remove this great curse from
the land, and thus take off great load
which must otherwise fall upon the necks
of or pestcrity? The right to hold slaves
as moral question, it is unnecessary at this
day and age of the world to examine That
slavery is great moral wrong, has long
been well established Few will row be
| found who have the hardihood to attempt
to defend it. And the tact that there are
any, is strong evidence of the corrupt ng
and demoralizing influence of the barbarous
and inhuman practice. All good men have
| long deplored the existence of it. John Yves
ley denounced it as 'the sum of all william
les" Said Washington, "There is no man
living who wishes more sincerely than do,
to see plan adopted for the abolition of it. "
Madison thought it was wrong to admit in
the Constitution, the idea that there could
be property in man. Said John Adams,
Slavery is crime much blaclzer than an
Africans face" jefferson and Franklin al
so deplored the existence of it. Said LaFay-
cite, Il never would have drawn my sword
III the canse of America, could have con
ceived that thereby | was founding land of
slavery" admitting it to be wrong for
man to ensIave his fellow man." saws one,
docs not concern us at the north. The mas
ter and his slave are alone affected thereby"
In answer TO this it is only necessary to
point to the present rebellion. Is not the
whole nation, nay the whole world convuIs-
ed and affected by it? But were the asser-
ton true, is it not the duty of man to help
his fellow man? Help those who need
help" is the divine Injunction. Says anoth-
er, 1T is domestic institution, and States
within their borders like private citizens
within their domicils are protected IT'S
true they are protected in proper acts, but
no individual has the right III his own DOM
| icil, TO establish a nuisance that will send
out poisonous etfluvia, that will scken and
destroy the community around and should
he do so, law and justice would demand,
that the nuisance should be abated. But
the Constitution protects slavery" SAYS
another. The constitution if it protects it
anywhere, which at least admits of doubt.
certainly does not protect it where this
proclamation reaches; and if it does protect
it elsewhere, 1t ought to be amended so that
| it should no longer be able to protect 80
great wrong have already discussed
this question much further than intended.
and | fear further than | should have done
at this time. will only add that in NV
Judgment the President, in this measure,
has not overstepped the bounds of the Con-
| stitution or good policy, and should be sus
tanned and supported by every lover of his
country, of whatever party or sect. All
good and true men must say he is right
The people in their late elections have pass
ed their solemn judgment upon his acts
aud have declared in a manner not to be
misunderstood, that he is right. Let US
then, with a firm hand, stand by the right.
remembering that God blesses those that de-
serve his blessing. Let US be earnest, pure
and worthy, for pure men, worthy men,
earnest men, working, patriotic Cody men,
are what our country needs in these times,