The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-24

The True History of the Proclamation AboI
ishing Slavery.

Interview with C&ssius NJ. Clay
s. " EARLY in 1862 / was recalled from
the court of Russia by Seward, contrary to my
desire.
why did Seward do that!'
He had grudge against me because ] sup
ported Lincoln for the presidency Seward
thought to annoy if not to disgrace me by hay
ing me recalled. was complimented for my
services, and was given major generalship;
but this was trick Of Stewards. When l got
here found that the Union side was sending
back slaves who escaped and those captured in
battle. ! protested against this in speech
made at Washington The Democratic, partie-
ularly the Kentucky, papers bitter
ly denounced me on account Of this
speech. They said l was not fit to
have a command in the Union army, nor to
represent the United States in Russia, but should
be sent to prison. The position took was that
| would not go to battle with a sword III one
hand and shackles in the other; but that if |
fought it must be for universal freedom That
made Stanton mad The large mass Of Repub-
hcans stood by me, but they were not il official
power. Lincoln was wavering. There was then
the same absence of firm policy among the
Union leaders in regard TO emancipation as there
is now among the Democratic leaders in regard
TO the tariff. l reminded Lincoln that the
Northern Democrats had always been opposed to
the war and were willing to make any kind of n
dishonorable peace. l told him that his only
true policy was to unite and soldify
the Republican party-otherwise the South
the only way to unite and solidify the Repub-
hean party was to issue proclamation enamel
patlng the slaves. 1t is matter of history that
as soon as the federal government reversed its
policy series of victories began, which finally
ended in a complete triumph for the Union arms.
Stanton was opposed to my policy. He had
already prevented Blair and Fremont from
carrying out emancipation in their military dis
h1cts was ordered to go to Louisiana, to
serve under Butler | id not want to do this
because l disliked Butler, and knew that the
object Vas to put quietus upon my emancipa-
ton ideas. Chase was very anxious ! should re-
port to Butler He went with me to Halleck to
talk over the matter Halleck got very angry
Then Chase said had better return to Russia
l went to Lincoln and asked to be sent back
and very earnestly explained what
thought was his the best policy, namely to pro-
claim all the slaves free, and TO use them IN
fighting the South. Having been abroad,
knew the sentiment there, and told Lincoln that
if foreigners saw that we were simply fighting
for supremacy, they would have no sympathy
for us, but they would have if we showed that
we contending for a principle. Lincoln
sand he had been thinking over the matter, but
that he was afraid that if he should issue the
emancipation proclamation the border States
and Kentucky especially would secede and he
did not think the federal government could
afford to have any more of the States arrayed
against it. l argued that the proclalna
ton would not change ten men in Ken
lucky; that by this time everybody had
decided which side they were on. In order
that l might further satisfy him. Lincoln agreed
to send me to Kentucky to talk to the members
of the Legislature. So. to divert the attention of
the confederate authorities and sympathizers, l
made speeches at several places North before /
started for Kentucky met General Lew Wal
lace. As was we'll acquainted with the Ken
lucky river. he gave me command of his troops.
Kirby Smith was approaching Madison county.
My plan was to get my troops, largely
cruits, behind some works Raw men always
fight better when they have line to stand to.
This was proven in our Indian wars But Nelson
came along and relieved me of the command.
Nelson got badly whipped. This was in August
1862 l went straight on to Frankfort
and addressed the members of
the Legislature. My argument was
that as the South looked upon the slaves as
property we should treat them as property so
far as using them against the South was con
cerned. l was able to assure Lincoln that Ken
lucky would not secede. Then. on the 22d of
September, 1862. Lincoln issued his emancipation
proclamation. / went back to Russia Wilson,
in his Rise and Fall of the Slave Power does
not refer to this incident. He did not know
of it; but he does say that the emancipation proc
lamatiOn was the greatest event of the age. Our
people were afraid of the South; they thought
they could have peace without disturbing slav-
cry, but that was not possible. Men high in au-
thority were vaciating. Just before ] returned
to Russia, but after the proclamation, I was in
vited to speak at Albany IN. Y University, for
the express purpose of counteracting effects pro-
duced by Seward and Thurlow Weed"