Year: 1863

continue until the emancipation proclama-
ton is enforced in its literal terms. A few
davs since we charged that the discussion
of the effect of the proclamation upon the
rebel States, should they now voluntarily
resume their position in the Union, which
of late had so largely occupied the columns
of the New York Tribune and the atten-
ton of the radical press, was premedita-
ted discussion resulting by arrangement in
the triumph of the radicals


1t was entered into with view of pre-
pairing the people for such official an
nouncements as were made in the Sumpter
meeting in New York on Saturday last
Until the elections in Rhode Island and
Connecticut had been carried by bribery
and fraud, Secretary Chase would no more
have addressed to the public such letter
as was read from him in the Sumpter meet
ing than he would have thrust his arm into
glowing furnace. These Elections and
the discussion to which we-have alluded
have emboldened the administration to
openly announce what they have from the
! first intended, but shrank from avowing
until they imagined the season was ripe for
its publication.


We have repeatedly asked for consTuc-
ton of the emancipation edict from the ad-
mlnistration. We have averred that so far
| from it being means to an end, it was a
primary object, and would be adhered to
| should the South indicate lis Willingness to
return in case of its withdrawal For this
we have been denounced as traitors and
rebel sympathizers in such dignifed Ian
guage as the Christian philanthropists of
the administration party are wont to en-
ploy. What We have asserted is now
boastingly proclaimed by Secretary Chase,
and reiterated by the most prominent lead
ers in the party In his letter to the
Sumpter meeting, the Secretary, in dis
cussing the question of slavery, said


"What matter now how it dies p
Whether as a consequence or object of the
war, what matter? Is this a time to split
hairs of logic? To me it seems that Prov
idence indicates clearly enough how the
end of slavery must come. 1t comes in
rebel slave States by military order, decree
or proclamation, not to be disregarded or
set aside, in any event, as nullity, but
maintained and executed with perfect good
faith to all enfranchised, and it will come
in loyal slave States by the unconstrained
action of the people and their legislators,
aided freely and generously by their breth-
ren of the free States. may be mistaken
in this; but if / am, another better way
will be revealed"


In The face of this explicit avowal from
the Secretary, and of the utterances of the
speakers at the Sumpter meeting,-n one
of whom denied, but the majority of whom
applauded the avowal-it will require a
brazen face seven times hardened to deny
that Mr.. Chase spoke the sentiments of his
party and the deliberate intention of the
administration. If the South tomorrow
should propose to return, just as she went
forth, asking no guarantees but the consti-
tuition, she would not be permitted to do
so. The proclamation would be an insup-
erable bar to her return. Mr. Chase says
it "cannot be disregarded or set aside "in
any event" The proclamation is there
fore paramount to the restoration of the
Union, and it is for its maintenance and
execution we are prosecuting the war.


This declaration is made Just after the
unsuccessful attack of the administration at
Vicksburg-for the plan of that campaign
can be traced to Washington. 1t is made
when Banks has been compelled to act on
the defensive, and fortify himself at New
Orleans; when Rosecrans, after months of
inaction, is confronted by superior forces
under Johnston when Kentucky is threat
ened with invasion from three several
points when Hooker dare not stir from
the vicinity of Washington, through fear
of being crushed by Lee; when we are
threatened with war with Great Britain;
and when our iron-clads had just been
driven, battered and sinking, from Charles
ton harbor. 1t is made when our prospects
Of success have been darkened in every
field, and the hopes of the Confederates
strengthened by their successful mainten-
ance of every point we have menaced or
attacked. We wait with interest the &C.
ton of professed conservative republicans
upon this official declaration that the war
is an abolition crusade. Chicago Times.