, 1872-11-20

erumopt hesitated to proclaim any fixed policy,
in % tie unsettled condition Of affairs. st1t was
evident W der to most Of the dispassionate and clear
minds OF the country that the Secessionists had
by their own acts struck fatal blow to the in
etitut1on of Slavery, yet the country vas not
fully prepared to pronounce freedom to all Slaves
The orders Of such officers as Generals McClel-
Ian, Halleck. Dix, and others, prohibiting, the
fugitiyes from coming within the army lines
caused great dissatisfaction in the North, with.
out appeaelng any at the south.
spected long after it was known that slaves we're
being used in war against the Government.
One reason for this fo1bearance was the desire
to conciliate the Border States, which loved the
Union, but hated Aboli:ionism. Mr. Lincoln at
frat conceived the idea of compensated emanci-
patton and deportation Of the negroes, for he
believed the white and black races could not
dwell in harmony on the plane Of equal
rights. After the reverses before
Richmond, President III Lncoln became be :s;qe
more vigor, and that some decisive measures
we're necessary on the Slavery question, not
only to reconcile public sentiment and to coa-
solidate and make uniform military action, but
to bring the slaye-element to our aid, instead OF
having it turned against u.s." Hitherto he had
always disclaimed any right on the part OF the
General Government to move IN the matter OF
emancipation. Mr.. Welles thus relates Mr. Lin
coins first intimation of n change Of policy:
On Sunday the 18Th Of July the President invited
Mr.. seward and myself to accompany him in his
risee to the funeral Of an infant child Of Secretary
Stanton. At that time Mr. Stanton occupied for
summer residence the house Of naval officer, some
two or three miles west northwest Of GEORGETOWN.
It was on this occasion and this ride that he first men
coma to the conclusion that il the rebels persisted IN
their w.r upon the Government, 1t would
be necessity and duty on cur part to oerate THEIR
| slaves. He was Convinced, he said that We could
| not carry successful war By longer pursuang
temporizng and forbesE1ng policy toward those WHO
disregsrded law and Constitution, and were striving by
/ T1eons tn breaE III, Union Decisive 1n4
trene must be adopted. His reluctance TO
1neddlc With this question. around which there were
thrown constitutional safeguards, and on which the
I whole Southern mind was sensitive Was great- lie
had tried e1pediens to escape Issuing an E1-
by the Rebels Themselves. He saw no
sss. as1n Element ahe Il the
against u.s. and 1t obstacle to peace
BE had entertained hopes that the Border states In
view OF what apPeared to him inevitable ii the war
and compensated emancipation: but all his sugges-
although actual hostes had then existed for year.
Congress was now about adjouTning sud haa aoao m
nng hn ana S,sos e 15 snss lis
from tie army the last week. called the members Of
Congress from tie Border States together, and
encountered .nhopes they would BE- persuaas.a in
the gloomy condition Of AFFAIR." to take the initiative
toward emsnep9on but thsy ana a.
most of them and large minority Of their constu
euts were what they called their labor systen they
they supported to compel them to abandon that sys
tenn while the States IN aaErant rebellion retained
their elayes and were spared the eacrihce. move
ment toward emancipation in the Border States while
States you'd they believed detaea many from ON
tnsur.eetion. ms % There was, ho presumed,
some foundation for, their apprehension;
him that change Of policy in the conduct Of the war
was necessary ind that emancipation Of the slaves in
States. The blow must fnu first and foremost On
them. Slavery WAS doomed. This War, brought upon
the country BY the @ wonia "a -
lead IN that meaaure They would not consent to be
convinced or persuaded to take the aret STEP Forced
emancipation in the States which continued to resist
the Government would Of be followed by yolun-
tary emancipation in the loyal sates with the ad re
gv xd he houRa be sess Ths
not the road to lead us out OF this difficulty We must
take different path. Ne wanted tho army to strike
! more vigorous blowB. The Administration must set
the army On example, and strike at the heart of the
Rebellion. The country, be thought, would be pre-.
| usred for it. The army would be with us. Var had
removed constitutional obligations and restrictions
! with the declared Rebel communities. The law re-
quired to return the tugiiyes who ESCAPED to rs
This VIC could and must do with friends, but not With
enemies. We invited al, bond md free, to desert
those who were In fagrant var upon the Union and
from from Rsbel & authorities aid Rebel masters.
If there constitutional authority In the Gov
authorty specified or reserved for the shareholders
Tesist The Goyernment or secede from it. They could
not At the same time throw Oh the Constitution and
invoke it's aid. Having nade war upon the Govern.
meut, they subject to the incidents and caaIn1
ties Of war; and It duty to avail ourselves Of
| every necessary measure to maintain the Union. II
The Rebels did not their VAR they must take the
| consequences Of war. He dWelt earnestly On tns
9nd @ ct aee p be-
| no evidence Of cessation Of hostiEtes; sale
! he had given. the subject much thought
military necessity absolutely essential to the preseEVa
ton Of the Union. We must free the slaves Of be o',r
selves subdued. The slaves were undentably sn els
ment Of strength those who had their seryice ant
e must decide whether that element should be Wat1
against ns For long time The an9}ee. @ haa 1
tatives of the Border States had forced linn slowly bu
be believed correctly, to this conclusion; and tn
present opportunity the first occasion be had hae
Of mentioning any his convictions Of what Il
his opinion must be OH COURSE He wished Es t.
struck us il case Of The continued per
sstent resstencc to Federal authority.
. 4 full account is given Of the discussion j!
the various Cabinet meetings relative to Emancl
j By Mr.. Welles, which goes far to contradict th
! stories Of Mr. Lincolne irre1lglousness told 3
! NIr. Lauon in his life OF Lincoln. Before read
ing the proclamation at tho last Cabinet meetin
i at which the subject VAS discussed, Mr LID
! coin
tone Re had looked 10 Higher Power for aid and 4
rection: He had made vow that, II Goa gave US IL
victory in the impending battle he would receive 1t
an incatton of the Divine Will that it his duty
70 forward the work Of emancipation. LII manne
half apologize, he ssid this might seem strange bu
I there vere occasions yhen uncertain how to procee
when It was not clear to Lis mind what he should
he had IN this way submitted the disposal Of the sui
iect to Higher Power, aud abidcd BY what SCENE
d The Supreme VIII. Events st 6harpsburg hnd COL
armed and strengthened his original purpose IN regnr
to emancipation and he had no hesitation in lssuin
this preliminary order the States interested woul
= decide for themselves SIS to it's consrmmatlon.
: This not the only occasion when he manifesto
10 | The macmillan filth trait here exhibited.
p Gossippy paragraphs by Philip Quilbot, sc
! entifc miscellany, and reviews of recour book
= complete the number.
3 ANOTHER AGUE-CURE.
y ....-