Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-01-18

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
The Text Printed for the First Time in the
December Century.

The Text Printed for the First Time i'll the
December Century.
Tho Nicolay and Hay life of Lincoln
| in the December Century gives an &C
count of the first sketch OF the emanci-
patton proclamation, the original draft
being here printed for the first time. A
cabinet meeting was held July %, 1862
concerning this meeting we quite as tol
lows: FurJ. or conference was had on
organizing negro rrglmt nts, but Lincoln
decided that the moment had not yet ar
rived when this policy could be safely
entered upon. Writes Chase: "Ehe i'm
preston left upon my mind oy the whole
discussion was, that whIe the president
thought that inc org rgapIzablon, {, ui PIKE at
and armlng of negroes like other soldiers
would be productive of more evil than
good, he was not unwilling that com
manders should, at their discretion, arm,
tor purely defensive purposes, slaves
coming within their lines" But on the
Kindred pollcy of emancipation the
president had reached decision which
appoar to have been in advance of the
views of his entire cabinet. Probably
really to their surprise, he read to them
the following draft OF a proclamation
warning the rebels of the pains and pen
aitles of the conhscat1On act, and whlie
renewing his tender of com pensation to
loyal states which would adopt gradual
adjustment, adding summary militia Y
Uruer, us commander-in chief, declaring
free the slaves of 8ll states which might
be In rebellion on January l, 1858 The
text of this trsJ draft of the emancipa
tiOh proclamation Is here printed foz the
first time.
In pursuance of the sixth section of
the act of congress entitled: "An act to
suppress insurrectIon ana to punish
treason and rebellion, to seize and con
tiscate property of rebels, and for other
Purposes" approved July II, 1862, and
which act and the jJInt resolution ex
planatory thereof are herewith publish
ed, |, Abraham Lincoln, president of
the United States, DO hereby proclaim to
and warn all persons within the contem-
patIon of sad sixth section to cease
participating in, aiding, countenancing
or abetUlng the existing rebellion, or any
rebellion against the government of the
United States, and TO return to their
proper allegiance to the United States,
ON pain of the forfeltures and seizures,
as within and by said sixth section pro-
vlded.
And l hereby make known that it is nv
purpose, upon the next meetjag of con
gress, to again recommend the adoption
OF a practical measure for rendering pc
cuui8ry aid TO the free choice or rejection
of any and GlI states, which NAV then be
recognizing and practically sustaining
the sutnerity of the United States, and
which may then have voluntarily adopted
or thereafter may voluntarily adopt,
gradual abolition of slavery within such
state or states; that the obi ject is TO
practically restore, thenceforward to be
maintained, the constitutional relations
between the general government and
each aud all the states wherein that Tela-
ton ls now sus speDGed or disturbed: and
that for this object the war, as 1t has
been, will be prosecuted. And as a fl
aid military measure tor efectlng this
object, |, As comm ander-In- chief of the
armies and navy OF the UniGed States, do
order and declare that on the first day OF
January in the year one thousand eight
hundred and sixty three, all persons held
as slaves within any state or states where
| IN the constitutional authority of the
| U1ited States shall not then be practical
Iy recognized, submitted to and main
tained, shall then, thencefor~ard and
| forever be tree.
OF the cabinet proceedings which fol-
| lowed the reading of this momentous
/ document We have unfortunately only
/ very brief memoranda. Every member
OF the council was, We may iufer, be.
| Wildered by the magnitude and boldpess
| of the proposal. 1he sudden cJns1dera-
| Liou of this critical question reveals to u
I with ylvIdness tRe q. d.Eereuce in mental
reach, readiness aud decision bstueen
| the president and the constitational al sd
| yisers. 0dly two of the number gave
| the measure their unressTved concur
/ renee, even after discussion. It is strange
] that Une OF these was the cautious at
/ toruey general, the representative of the
| conservative faction of the siave-holiing
| state Missouri, and that the member, who
| opposed the measure ss a whole, and pro-
I posed TO achieve the result indirscriy
! through he scattered and divided action
! or local commanders In military depart
/ ments, vas the sntl-sisVery secretary OF
the treasury, Ar. Chase, representing
/ perhaps more nearly than any other the
| faction Of the free state of Otto. AL
/ were astonisned except the two TO who's q
! it had been mentioned q week before
/ None of the others had evsn considered
! such a step. But from the mind and till
/ IF President Lincoln the determination
I and announcement TO his cabinet came
/ almost as com plete IN form and certain
| IN intention on that memorable TUESDAY,
| of July as when two months later, 1t wa
! given o che public, or as officially pro
| claimed on the succeeding New Year.
/ dsy, an irreyocable executive act.