Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-04-28
miscellaneous.
From the indianapolis Journal.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
His Emancipation PrOclamation--H Hi
Observation-Disclosures by Carpenter.


His Emancipation Proclamation--His
Reiigion--Anecdotes by Carpenter.
Mr.. Chase told me that at the Cabinet
meeting, immediately after the battle at
AntietaIn, and just prior TO the issue oil
the September proclamation, the Presl-
dent entered upon the business before
them by saying that the time for the
annunciation OF the emancipation policy
couid be no longer delayed. Pubic
sentiment" he thought, would sustain
it-many of his warmest friends and
supporters demanded it-and he had
promised his God that he aOouLd do it,"
The last part of this was uttered in a
low tone, and appeared to be heard by
no one but Secretary Chase, who was
sitting near him. He asked the Presi
dent If he correctly understood him.
Mr. Lincoln replied: ''Imade q SoteD3n
vow before God that If General Lee UdS
dri0en back from Pennsylvania, I acou;d
crOtOn the result by .the declaration OF
freedom to the SLAVES"
When informed that certain ministers
in Springfield would not vote for hInI,
he drew forth pocket New Testament
and said: Those men will know that l
am for freedom everywhere as free as
the constitution and Laws will permit,
and that my opponents are for slavery.
They know this, and yet, with this book
III their hands; in the light of which
human bondage cannot live moment,
they are going to vote against me; l do
not understand it at all.n
Here Mr.. Lincoln paused-paussd for
long minutes-his features surcharged
with emotion. Then he rose and walk
ed up and down the reception room in
the effort to retain or regain his self pos
sion. Stopping at last, he said with
trembling voice, and his cheek wet with
tears: II know there is a God, and that
He hates injustice and slavery. I see
the storm coming, and know that His
hand is in it. If He has a place and
work for me-and [ think He has-I be-
lieve am ready. L am nothing; but
Truth is everything. I know that am
right, becaLse | know that Liberty is
right; for Christ teaches it, and Christ is
God. L have told them that house di-
vided against itself cannot stand; and
Christ ond Reason say the same, and
they will find it So"
Douglass don't care whether slavery
is voted up or down; but God cares, and
humanity cares, and [ care, and with
Gods help shall not fail. I may not
oeC tHe eilbi DuJ III VIII come ana snail
be viudicated; and these men will find
thst they have not used their Bibles
right"
Much of this was uttered as If lie was
spanking to himself, and with sad,
earnest, solemnity of manner impossible
to be described. After pause he re-
sumed: docs il not appear strange
that man can ignore the moral aspect of
this contest? A revelation could not
make it palmer to me than that slavery
or the government must he destroyed
The future would be something awful,
rs took at it, hut for this rock on which
Istand (alluding to the New Testament
ne still held in his handy especially
with knowledge of how these minis
ters are going to vote. 1t seems as il
God had borne with this thing Slavery
until the very teachers of religion had
come TO defend it from the Bible, and
to claim for it divine character and
sanction, and now the cup Of iniquity is
full and the vials of wrath will be poured
out. G..