Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-26
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Mr.. Lincoln on Emancip atiOn.

Mr.. Lincoln ON Emancipation. =
Early inAugust- it has been said onSaturday,
and if so it was, think, the ID of that month
Cabinet The meeting was in the library of
the executive mansion, and not in the council
chamber, where the regular sessions were usual
ly convened. All were present except Mr..
Blair. who had gone to his country residence
in Montgomery county. IF am not mistaken,
Mr.. Chase was also from some cause absent
from this first meeting. The President stated
chat the object for which he had called us. to
yether was to submit the rough draft Of pro-
camation to emancipate, after a certain day,
all slaves in the States which should then be
in rebellion. There were, he remarked, differ
ences in the Cabinet on the slavery question
and on emancipation, but he invited free dis
cussion on the important step he was about to
take and to relieve each one from embarrass-
meut he wished it understood that the question
was settled In his own mind; that he had de-
creed emancipation in certain contingency,
and the responsibility Of the measure was his
but he desired to hear the views of his assocl-
ates and receive any suggestion pro or con
which they might make. He had, he said,
dwelt much and long on the subject, and
formed his own conclusions, and had men
toned the fhatter in confidence to one or two
of the members Little was said by any
one but the President Mr.. Bates expressed
his very decided approval, but wished deporta,
ton to be cupled with emancipation. tie was,
it was well known, opposed to slavery Though
born in slave State. and always residing in
slave State and among slaves, he nevertheless
wished them free, and that the colored race
should leave the country. 1t was impossible,
he said, for the two races to asslmlate but by
amalgamation, and they could not amagamate
without degradation and decentralization to the
white races. The white might be brought down,
but the negroes could not be lifted to much
higher plane than they now occupied tie had
been close observer Of the Influences OF slave
ry on the enterprise and welfare of the country
through long lite, had deplored Its effects,
and himself had given freedom to his own
slaves, and wished them and their fellows luy
Africa. or elsewhere than 10 the United States.
He was fully convinced that the two races
could not live and thrive in social proximity.
The result of any attempt to place them on
terms of equality would be strife, contention.
and vicious population, as in Mexico. The
whites might be dcbased, but the blacks could
not be elevated, even by the disgusting process
of mixed breeds. which was repugnant to na,
ture and to our moral and better instincts He
therefore wished system OF. deportation to ac-
cOulDauy any SCncUe Ol euldDClpal!ou' ueSC
were also the Presidents views.
Mr. Seward, without expressing an opinion
on the merits of the question, though 1T would
be we'll to postpone thewhole subject to
more auspicious period If the proclamation
were issued now. it would be received and con,
sdered as despairing cry-a shrek from and
tor the Administration rather than TOR freedom.
The President instantly felt and appreciated
the force and proprety ofthe suggestion. We
had experienced serious disasters. important
results were in the immediate future; high
hopes we're entertained from army operations
under Halleck and Pope, who had Just taken
the direction of military affairs. The President
Of once closed his portfolio and suspended his
nrocIamation and all further proceedings on the
subject of emancipation. | do not recollect
that it was again alluded to in Cabinet until
after the battle of Antietam, which took place
on the 18th of September--slx weeks later
"7he History Of Emancipation, !. cy 0tde0"
Uelles. Ia.--- j
A TERRIBLE HURRICANE. If the accounts
Of local papers are not grossly eSaggera.eoi .ne
recent hurricane at Paazzola, Sicily was one
of the most terrible onrecord: hVe MIN
utcs' time the town was absolutely laid 10 runs,
and a fearful loss of life incurred. The SYRIA
cuse Gazette declares that not single house
remains uniniured, and says: 'The streets are
a mass of fragments and rubbish. lhe lncl-
dents of the disaster are so strange as TO De al
most incredible There was store with twen'
tv.iye hectolitres Of wheat, OF which not trace
j. anywhere to be seen. The books OF the Ex-
else and of the Land Registry offices baVe van
ished, and only their torn leaves nave Degn
fnnd here and there at great distances. In
one house all the copper kitchen utensils were
blown through the roof ); in another 6enches
and heavy chests flew through the windows
The iron bars of one balcony are to be seen 2
curled up one way, those OF another twisted
mn another way There is the pillar of a pal
nee which has been moved forward one TO foot
without breaking, and stands UP isolated all ID
one piece There is. the wall OF another paisace
which has fallen back more, than three lee!
without crack. Here IS the noeahl VI .Ine
honse There is half bedstead, the other
half of which lies no cne knows where. AL
tie files Of 0, building are huddled together
in one spot on the roof, crushed and broken a,s
nm small as if they had been pounded. lhe
r,ftnrs of another building are al! bare' tne
tiles have flown, no one can see Where. Il ls
oil muddle-an immense muddle.t ln staple,
an the bare ground men are laying the oodles
one by Ole as they are being dug OUT mos. a
of them are in their night dresses having Teen
crushed as they were quietly sleeping, lnela
features and forms are so dlshgureo in'. ono
cannot cannot look at them without shudderlng: :, :,
Their nostrils, ears, and mouths are stopped
up with earth. The white dust mas every .Is
pierced hPonEn hons the esa ss0 to 's his heart t'
ob;IJ yUJ nrnbably his own child; the skulls OF
I' bn.b are shattered. There are two young men n
- uo." aacb others arms, probably brothers. Inc
III nhsstS esS and backs of both are crushed. Near
them is another youth, covered with o'o9fl ~
5ss hs Is sela glass still stuck IN bis right eye E:
was wa struck Tlsrs Iauaaa sa PosSk Pook
# they were sleeping 9he dead d.a9os a9os num ware
ber thirty two in all and mary G,tSe oeslaeS "''
Seriously injured. d.-Bahtmo'e Gaze'e'