Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-14
SALMON P. CHASE.

Chase" by K. B. Warden, which will be pub
lished 10 a few days by Wilstach, Baldwin &
Co., of Cincinnati, gives some very remarkaole
extracts from MIR. Chases diaries. Mr.. Chase
began keeping diary when he went to Wash
iugton to become teacher, soon after graduat-
ing from yarmouth College. This work ne
continued throughout his long and active life,
and while he was member Of Mr.. Lincon's
Cabinet the record is particularly full.
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
This is Mr.. Chase's account of the Cabinet
meeting at which the proclamation OF emancl-
patton was adopted:
MONDAY, September %, 1862.
To department about nine. State Depart
ment messenger oame with notice to heads OF
Irpartmeuts 10 meet at twelve. Received sun.
drv callers. Went to the White House. All
the members of the Cabinet wsre in attend
auce. There was some general talk, and the
President mentioned that Artemus Ward had
sent him his book Proposed to read chap
ter which be thought very funny Read it, and
strmed TO enjoy it very much; the heads also
Except Stauton) of course. The chapter was
"High- III anded Outrage at Utica.
The President then took graver tone, and
said
Gentleman, [ have, as you are aware,
thought great deal about the relation OF this
war to slavery, and you all remember that,
several weeks ago, | read to you an order had
prepared upon the subject, which, on account
If objections made by some of You, was not
issued. Ever siuce then my mind has been
much occupied with this subject, and have
thought all along that the time for acting on
II might probably come. l thluk the time has
come now wish it was better time.
wish that we were in better condition. The
action OF the army against the rebels has not
hecu quite what should have best liked. But
they have been driven out OF Maryland, aud
PENNSYLVANIA is no longer in danger Of inva-
sion hen the rebel army was at Frederick
determined, as soon as it should be driven
out of Maryland, to issue proclamation OF
emancipation, such as | thought most likely to
be useful I said nothing to any one, but
made promise to myself and (hesltatiug lit
te) to NV Maker. The rebel army is now
driven out, and | am going to ful6l that prom
ise. | have got you together to hear what L
have written down. | do not wish your advice
about the main matter; for that have deter
mlucd for myself. This say without intend
lug anything but respect tor any one OF you.
But already know the views of each on this
question. They have been heretofore express
ed, and have considered them as thoroughly
and carefully as | can. What have written
is that which my reflections have determined
me to say. IF there is anything IN the express
sons use, or in any minor matter which any
one Of you thinks had best be changed, shall
be glad to receive the suggestions.
Zone other observation will make. l know
very we'll that many others might, 10 this mat
ter as in others, do better than | caU; and ii l
was satisfied that the public confidence was
more fully possessed by any one OF them than
by me aud knew of any constitutional way in
which be could be put in my place, he should
have it. | would gladly yield it to him. But,
though I believe that | have not so much OF
the confidence of the people as | have had
some time siuce, do not know that, all thugs
considered, any other person has more; and,
however, this may be- there Is no way 10 which
can have any other man put where am L
am here. I must do the best | can, and bear
the responsibility of taking the course which L
iee ought to take
The President then proceeded to read his
emaucipation proclamation, making remarks on
the several parts as he went on, and showing
that he had fully considered the subject in all
the lights under which it had been pr, selted to
him.
After he had closed, Governor Seward said
'rhe general question having been decided,
nothing can be said further about that. Would
it not, however, make the proclamation more
clear and decided to leave out all reference, to
the act being sustained during the incum bency
Of the present President, and not merel y say
that the Government recognizes, but that it
will maintain the freedom it procaims =
followed, saying: What you have said,
Mr. President, fully satisfies me that you have
given to every proposition which has been
made q kind aud candid consideration. Aud
you have now expressed the conclusion to
which you have arrived clearly and distinctly.
This it was your right, and, under your oath
Of Office, your duty to do. The proclauatl9,13
does not, indeed, mark out the course would
myself prefer; but | am ready to take 1t just as
it is written and to stand by it with all my
heart. think, however, the suggestions OF
Governor Seward very judicluus, and shall be
glad to have them adopted.
The President then asked us severally our
opinions as to the notifications proposed, say
ing that he did not care much about the phrases
he had used Every one favored the modlh
cation, and It was adopted. Governor Seward
then proposed that in the passage relating to
colonization some language should be intro
duced to show that the colonization proposed,
was 10 be only with the consent OF the coonlsts
and the consent of the States in which the col
onies might be attempted This, too, was
agreed to; and no other modification was pro-
posed. Mr. Blair then said that tue question
having been decided he would ma ke no oblec,,
ton to issuing the proclamation; but ne would
ask to have his paper, presented some days
since, against the policy, filed with the proca'
nation.
The President consented to this readily.
And then MIR. Blair went on to say that be
was afraid Of the Influence of the proclamation
on the border States aud Oh the army, and
stated, at some length, the grounds Of his ap-
prebeusions He disclaincd most expressly,
however, all objections to emancipation per Sc,
saying he had always been personally 10 favor
of otit-always ready for immediate emancpa.
tloo 10 the midst Of slave States, rather than
submit TO the pernetuation of the system