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Editorial
February 4, 1862
Daily Democrat And News
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa
What is this article about?
An editorial celebrating the failure of emancipation legislation in Congress, attributing it to the dominance of conservative forces upholding the Constitution. It criticizes abolitionists and predicts the rise of a strong conservative party opposing an emancipation faction.
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THE EMANCIPATION IDEA QUASHED.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Times, says that all hopes of legislation favorable to emancipation politicians is now abandoned as an impossibility—yea, that there are not now in the House of Representatives over ten members who would vote for a bill for general emancipation of African slaves; that the Administration plan of preserving the Constitution as our fathers gave it to us, and enforcing the laws as all loyal and patriotic men desire to have them enforced, is omnipotent in the House. So be it.
This intelligence will strike the hot tempered fanatics who, for months have been hounding on the emancipation idea, with consternation, and will draw from them curses hot and heavy as against the executive power at the White House. Let them curse and gnash their teeth. Their rage is impotent—their schemes will recoil with fearful force upon their own heads; the Constitution will yet triumph, and the laws will yet be vindicated, despite of rebellion in the South or Abolition treason in the North.
Let the friends of the Union take fresh courage: let the loyal and patriotic friends of the Government and the Constitution as it is, be strengthened in the cause in which they are so nobly engaged. The conservative element is gaining strength on strength each succeeding day, and daily do we observe the indications that a strong conservative party is taking form, which ere another year will be known and felt throughout the country. In opposition to it—will arise, an emancipation party which will encompass within its fold the present emancipationists in Congress, and all such as follow after them and endorse their principles. The former will maintain that the Union can, will and shall be preserved under the Constitution as it is; while the latter will continue to advocate as its founders have done and are still doing, that there can be no Union with slave States—that the Constitution is impotent in this crisis, and that the only bar to perpetual union and elysian joys in our national capacity is the abolition of slavery, though to do so it should subvert the Constitution, and destroy the present form of Government.
Let the issue be made up—we have no fears as to the result.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Times, says that all hopes of legislation favorable to emancipation politicians is now abandoned as an impossibility—yea, that there are not now in the House of Representatives over ten members who would vote for a bill for general emancipation of African slaves; that the Administration plan of preserving the Constitution as our fathers gave it to us, and enforcing the laws as all loyal and patriotic men desire to have them enforced, is omnipotent in the House. So be it.
This intelligence will strike the hot tempered fanatics who, for months have been hounding on the emancipation idea, with consternation, and will draw from them curses hot and heavy as against the executive power at the White House. Let them curse and gnash their teeth. Their rage is impotent—their schemes will recoil with fearful force upon their own heads; the Constitution will yet triumph, and the laws will yet be vindicated, despite of rebellion in the South or Abolition treason in the North.
Let the friends of the Union take fresh courage: let the loyal and patriotic friends of the Government and the Constitution as it is, be strengthened in the cause in which they are so nobly engaged. The conservative element is gaining strength on strength each succeeding day, and daily do we observe the indications that a strong conservative party is taking form, which ere another year will be known and felt throughout the country. In opposition to it—will arise, an emancipation party which will encompass within its fold the present emancipationists in Congress, and all such as follow after them and endorse their principles. The former will maintain that the Union can, will and shall be preserved under the Constitution as it is; while the latter will continue to advocate as its founders have done and are still doing, that there can be no Union with slave States—that the Constitution is impotent in this crisis, and that the only bar to perpetual union and elysian joys in our national capacity is the abolition of slavery, though to do so it should subvert the Constitution, and destroy the present form of Government.
Let the issue be made up—we have no fears as to the result.
What sub-type of article is it?
Slavery Abolition
Constitutional
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Emancipation
Constitution
Conservative Party
Abolitionists
Union Preservation
House Of Representatives
What entities or persons were involved?
House Of Representatives
Emancipation Politicians
Administration
Abolitionists
Conservative Party
Emancipation Party
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Emancipation Legislation
Stance / Tone
Strongly Anti Emancipation And Pro Constitution Preservation
Key Figures
House Of Representatives
Emancipation Politicians
Administration
Abolitionists
Conservative Party
Emancipation Party
Key Arguments
Hopes For Emancipation Legislation Are Abandoned; Fewer Than Ten House Members Support General Emancipation.
Administration's Plan To Preserve The Constitution And Enforce Laws Dominates The House.
Abolitionists' Schemes Will Fail And Recoil Upon Themselves.
Conservative Element Is Gaining Strength, Forming A Party To Preserve The Union Under The Current Constitution.
Emancipation Party Advocates Abolishing Slavery Even If It Subverts The Constitution.
The Issue Between Conservatives And Emancipationists Will Be Decided In Favor Of The Former.