Year: 1861

The Fremont Imbrogito.


The special dispatches to the Cincinnati pLpers
state that the FRKMoSr imhrOglio embarasses the
Administration exceedingly If the reports be
true it appears that Mr.. LrScoLS assumed the re
sponsibility of directing the modification Of FRE
xosr's proclamation, without consultation with
the Cabinet, and that majority Of them favor
the position assumed by the Pathfinder IL such
be the case, it developes irmness on the part Of
the President for which he has not had credit, and
a determination to faithfully carry out his pledg-
es not to interfere with the constitutional rights
or domestic institutions of any State. The warm
approval Of the proclamation Of FRKxOSr by the
the ultra Republican press, is evidence that with
that portion Of the party the emancipation Of the
negro property of the South is the leading object
of the war. And the censure Of the President
for interfering with FRExoNrs action BY the same
papers, is a further confirmation of their design.
The Chicago Tribune, says the news ofthe Pres
ident's order was received in that city with "in-
dignation and rage. and that ait was felt that the
penalty Of rebellion bad been removed, and that
the war was now merely scheme for mutual as
sassination on large scale" And what does
this leading organ of the Administration in the
Northwest recommendf


In few weeks Congress will meet in regular
session, and if the Administration does not soon
er rerace its fatal step, the representatives, Of the
people will soon enact Fremont's policy into Q
law. To this end let the masses. who furnish
the muscle and money for the war, direct all their
efforts. Every journal in the North, whose opin-
ion is of any consequence, has pronounced in ia
yor of that most wise and resolute and bene-
icent measure Every loyal statesman who has
spoken, has indorsed and approved il. Equally
unanimous Is the voice of the great people. Let
that pOice be heard ia tones of thunder. Let
every member of Congress from the loyal States
go to Washington in December pledged fathom
deep in the principle that he who draws the sword
against his country can not hold slave.


This is question that the people should con
slider. The emancipation of the slaves, for if
FRrMoSrs policy is carried out and our armies
succeed in subjugating the South it will resst in
almost general abolition, will produce a great
change in both the social and political economy
of the Northern as well as the Southern States.
As the slaves are freed during the war, if they
desire to secure the status of freemen, they viii
seek asylums in those States in which slavery is





cipaton and refuse the negroes thus freed pro-
lection and home within our bordersf Il
would be unjust, nay, it would be cruel, to thus
change the condition of the slaves and deny them
a refuge in the free States. Now comes ques-
ton which has an interest for every citizen in
Indiana, in fact in all the States which do not
tolerate slavery-do we want the increase Of
black population among us7 Do the laboring
men, the laboring women, or the mechanic de-
sire the competition of this class of labor or an
association with itf Is It public policy to throw
a large free negro population among a commu-
nifty to which they will be obnoxiousf 1t is well
known that negroes are not producers except in
few instances, unless by system of compulsory
labor. The border free States, if this emancipa-
ton scheme is carried out, would be the principal
receptacles, on account of their proximity to the
slave States, of the liberated slaves. For long
time they would be burden upon private and
public charity, and they never would become
desirable population. The policy of the State is
and has been to keep out free negroes, and we
have law upon the statute book prohibiting
their emigration hither. We believe the order Of
the President will be sustained not only because
it is right in itself, but for the reason that FRE-
MoNr's policy would prove greater injury to the
free States than those whom it is intended to
punish There is another aspect of the case
which the Cincinnati Press puts with good deal
of force. In commenting upon the conse-
quences OF General FRENoNr's action upon the
slavery question it says:


The prospect of favorable termination of the
war along the whole line of operations never
as good at present; if the slavery question can
be held subordinate to the preservation Of the
Constitution and The Government.


But where Kentucky, Missouri, Western Vir-
ginia, Maryland, and our Union friends in tbs
extreme South discover that the negro is to be
turned loose on them the energy with which they
will rise against the Administration will counter
act the efforts now making to the State.


The Government know this, and naturally feel
alarmed at the action of subordinate, which
threatens to take the control of the slavery ques-
tion even in a remote degree, out of their hands.
They have the responsibility, and understand its
consequences better than those who are only ope
rated on by the animosities and excitements of
the contests; and we suggest to our readers to
keep cool and trust to their Government, which,
being daily in communication with persons from
all parts OF the country most interested in the
result of the war are best able to judge and give
advice TO il.


1t will be we'll for the people to think Of all the
questions involved in the policy of Fremont and
those who urge vigorous prosecution of the war
for tie abolition of slavery, before they instruct
or allow their Representatives in Congress to en-
act that policy into law. We believe that the
wiser and more just views of the President will be
sustained BY the people, and that its effect will
be to change public sentiment in the South as to
the policy of the Administration in regard to their
rights under the Constitution, and its good faith
in carrying out the pledges it has made thereto.