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injurious to the South as a separate State, Accordingly, while the hatred of the negro appears to have increased (probably because all Americans are enraged to think the black man should in any way have been the cause of such a vast political edifice as the United States breaking up), the desire for J.' emancipating the negroes of the Southern proprietors has increased also. But this step, which, it appears, is now to be taken, will be due, not to any love for the slave, but simply to hatred of the proprietor. It requires no , argument to prove this. In the edict which Mr. Lincoln has just issued, emancipation is not promised but threatened. The President does not say to the negroes, “ Out of pity for your condition we have resolved to make you free.” He says to the masters, “ Because you have dared to rebel, and if you continue in rebellion, we will set your slaves loose. If the armies of the Government can produce no impression upon you we will see what a servile insurrection can do.”Mr. Lincoln’s emancipation edict has no moral basis whatever. It is only the slaves of bad, rebellious men who are to be liberated. Those who belong to loyal subjects—that is to say, “ citizens,” for the word “ subject ” is ignored by Americans—are to remain slaves still. The right to hold slaves, then, is to be regarded in America as a reward for good conduct.The edict, moreover, is immoral in the highest degree. It simply incites the slaves to insurrection, and legalises murder and domestic outrages of all kinds; for these will be the natural results of the proclamation. The 'idea is not hew. The Austrians, in 1846, pursued a similar policy towards the Polish proprietors of Galicia, when, anticipating an insurrection on the part of the nobles, they armed the peasants, and not only permitted them, but directed them, to attack their masters, encouraged them to burn, plunder, and kill whoever they thought fit, and offered so much per head for every Polish proprietor brought to the police offices, dead or alive.This plan of emancipation is highly characteristic of the Northern policy, being equally tainted with the most ferocious despotism and the most savage democracy. It is worthy of Attila and of the French Convention, and yet we have no doubt that it will be represented by Northern partisans as an act of the highest philanthropy.
Newspaper Details
Illustrated Times
London, Middlesex, GB
Sat, Oct 11, 1862
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 12 Apr 2025
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