Lincoln's emancipation programme.
The South has given its answer to
Lincoln's programme of emancipation at
Fredericksburg and
Murfreesboro'. If he wanted to know in advance what would be the effect of his prominent proclamation, he has probably by this time ally enlightened.
The South does not his manifesto with words. "She leans upon her bloodstained sword," indifferent alike whether he oils his speech with soft, conservative blarney, or whether he bowls forth the threats of the incendiary and murderer.
When he comes near enough, she strikes, and sends his myrmidons reeling back, bloody and dying, to their master.
So far as his promising of a
St. Domingo campaign is expected to intimidate our people, he may decide whether the late battles give any taken of such influence so far as it is designed to operate upon the servile population, he might as well proclaim emancipation to the serfs in
Africa.
When he undertaken to give practical operation to his policy, by organizing and sending among us negro regiments, we shall knew how to deal with such an emergency.
It will, then, be a literal hoisting of "the black flag" by his own hands, and his sable standard will not be recognized as entitled to the protection of the rules of civilized war. The black barbarians will be dealt with according to the
State laws already in existence for such offences and their white companions will be subjected to the same capital punishment.
But no proclamation which the
Yankees have issued, or may issue, will have the slightest effect upon the slave population of the
South.
Wherever his armies have penetrated, they have kidnapped every negro they could lay their hands on, and, proclamation or no proclamation, whenever they are able, they will to do the same.
But beyond the lines of the
Federal army, slavery will continue intact and impregnable as the rock of
Gibraltar.
It is a good deal older than any earthly Government, and it will last a good deal longer than any throne or republic of the earth. "Cursed be Cansan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren," is a proclamation which even the mighty
Abraham Lincoln cannot abolish.
