Year: 1861




pprs1pLSr LINcoLS's position on the siaVe'
~ question in connection with the war Is
briefly but very significantly stated III the ioi-
1,,;ng words ;-"The Union must be pre-
sorved and hence all indispensable means must
he emploved. We should not be IN haste to de-
termine that radical and ertreme measures, whch
NAV reach The loyai as well as the dsloyal' are
;pdisnensable." Our readers know very wei
that these words occur at the close Of what
the president says on the slavery question IN
his recent message, but they may moi nave
considered them so carefully as TO see how
much they signify. Study them well, with
nroner regard to the words We put in Italics
and YOU can not easily fail to see and appre-
ciate the president: position on tins ques'
ton.


One of our contemporaries says the presi'
dent has mo definite policy ON the slavery
question: This is said evidently because the
president has not adopted the views most
favored by the particular journal from which
we quote He has policy which he has
pursued consistently, and to which he tirmly



adheres. 1t is stated briefly but very clearly
in his message. The president is quite sure
that in the course of this conflict circumstances
will take care of the slavery question; lie
believes that nothing good can be gained by
attempting to force or hasten results. His
policy is 10 leave this question to circuni-
stances, and make it his Chief business TO save
and defend the Union In his view, ,.Te should
not make haste to determine that radical
measures against slavery are indispensable TO
the salvation Of the Union They may be
come necessary. Time will show. And he
is firmly persuaded that "ail Indispensable
means must be employed" The question
has its difficulties, and he means that his
policy in regard to it shall be very careful and
very safe.


AS to the merits of this policy every one
must Judge for himself. We republicans are
all accuston ed not only to Judge for ourselves
but also to speak freely and with great ear
nestness And we sometimes carry the eXer.
else of this liberty Tar as to weaken the etii-
cheney OF our organized action, thus losing
good results that might have been secured by
placing little restraint ON this tendency to
luxuriate in the extremes Of crilicising and
free speaking indiyidualism Those who
think the president moves forward too slowly
in this question might soon teeI disturbed to
see him proceed as fast some OF them de-
sire, and they should bear in lni!,d that he is
honest, true, sagacious, and very much in ear
nest to put down this rebellion.


The slavery question has not needed agita,
tors since this war begun 1t agitates itself.
1t is impossible to escape ii, and one OF the
results is that marked change We see in the
views of many OF our conspicuous hen.
There is Il progress OF thought and opinion
which leads constantly in one direction. he
question is taking of itself, and neither
president nor people could resist It's influence
: they desired TO do so. The rebellion has
taken the question in hand, and the power OF
slavery cannot survive it. Let US not be over
anxious. Let us not do harm by attempting
agitation OF this particular question where it
is not needed, and where an attempt to force
results might hinder more tlan it would help.
We have the most entire confidence III the
president and feel sure that he will work wise
ly and well TO put down treason. bring back
the disloyal states 10 the Unou and secure Il
peace among ourselves that shall he perna-
nent. How thankful should We be that We
have president who is honest and sincere
What cause for dread we should have il some
inscriptions adyenturer, or some dishonest
and yillanous politician, were in his place