New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-23
TAFT SAYS LINCOLN
MADE LIBERTY REAL
Emancipation of Negro Enabled
Americans to Look the World
in the Face, He Declares.
THE TIME WAS FORTUNATE
President Praises Predecessor
for His Part in Justifying
Americas Professions
to Freedom.

Beverly. Sept. 22..-Before the President
left Beverly tonight White House Of
nclals made public letter he wrote 10
John W Thompson, of Rochester, presi-
dent OF the Western New York League
OF Republican Clubs, commenting on
Emancipation Day and the courage OF
President Lincoln. The letter follows:
| am very sorry not to he able to cele-
hratc with YOU the anniversary OF the
Emancipation Proclamation issued py
President Lincoln on September r. lSoZ-
fifty years ago. | expect to attend an
other celebration OF the event IN Wash
ington on the I'D Of this month. The is-
suancc Of the emancipation proclamation
vas the Initial and the most important
step In the freeing uf five millions OF
slaves. who, with their descendants, nave
now grown into ten Millions and consu-
tute more than 10 per cent Of our total
population II is OF course, an event IN
which every lover of his country takes an
intense interest. Until the emancipation
of the negroes the assertion that ours
was the country Of liberty was untrue.
The Constitution and the Declaration OF
INDEPENDENCE were utterly at variance
with each other I'm the recognition that
the former gave To property In human
kind. The excelsior OF the cancer repre-
scented In the social institution or SLAYER
enabled all Americans 10 look the WOrlc
I'm the face. and say that our pretenslons
to absolute freedom were founded on lact
and did not need the saving OF exceptions
In order To make them truthful.
Mr. Lincoln suffered greatly by the
criticism and abuse Of those who Thought
he did not act quickly enough In ISSUING
the Emancipation Proclamation, ana later
from the attacks OF thos" who thouBht
the act WAS q great mistake. Now, as
We look back upon it, We realize that MS
selection OF tho time was most fortunate
He delayed action until he could take II
~ war measure under the tonsututlon,
and could defend what ne did "a WITHIN
his lawful power as commander IN cnlcl
OF the army and navy IN the prosecution
OF the war.
slaves II could not free those VINO were
I'm territory not within the arena OF war.
but after he had issued this proclamation
the completion OF the steps needed 70
secure the abolition or slavery az COT
stitutiOnal amendment was necessity
and only a matter OF time. IL ls rlgnt'
then that Lincoln should be held up IN
history as the man chiefly responsible TOT
sincerely hopc that YOUR celebration
will De az success'ul "a the greatness OF
the subject matter Of your gathering
merits.
Washington. Sept. 22-Dr Simon T. ".
Drew. pastor 81 the Cosmopolitan Baptist
Church. ~ this city. and president Of the
National United Colored Republican CLUBS
and Political Leagues Of the United
States. in Jubilee sermon to-day said
that President TAFT would undoubtedly
render great service % the CIVILIZED
world n be- would issue a proclamation
during the week OF September p setting
nj liberty all negroes who wer" born IN
slavery and now In tho prisons OF the
United States" pr Drew urged the Pres
idcnt % ask Congress TO appropriate
5000 Tor each former slave who was a
slave from ten to more years during the
dark days of slavery
The Jubilee celebration begun to-day
will last until September %. Dr. Drew
hopes to raise 5000 20 erect lAncoin
memorial building. with girls and boys
dormitories at the william Mckinley
Normal and Industrial School, AlcNan-
dria. Va. of which he IL president. Al
ready $1,000 has been promised on condi-
ton that the remainder be raised IN nine
~ daNS