Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/583

Attitude of Stevens toivard Conduct of Civil ]]ir 573 This was effective oratory, the oratory of conviction and action. It was spoken at a time when slavery still seemed rooted and grounded in the policy of the President and of Congress and in the public sentiment of the country. Who will say that the voice of Stevens was not a powerful influence in bringing the country and its rulers to the higher plane of emancipation, to a readiness to direct the war for liberty as well as for union? As the war continued and the administration still seemed con- servative and reluctant to pursue an antislavery policy, Stevens re- peatedly expressed his dissatisfaction. Lincoln's message proposing compensated emancipation Stevens characterized as " the most diluted milk and water gruel proposition that was ever given to the American nation." He urged the passage of the Act (March 13, 1862) forbidding the return of fugitive slaves and he favored every act looking toward antislavery ends. He said he could not approve putting generals who sympathized with slavery at the head of our armies with orders to pursue and return fugitive slaves, nor did he like it to have our forces set to guard the property of rebel soldiers. When asked if he intended his charge against the President and the Secretary of War or only against the generals in the field, he said ■' I intend it shall apply where it belongs." I am no sycophant, no parasite. What I think I say. These acts have been perpetrated without rebuke. Let the world determine where the responsibility rests. I believe the President is as honest a man as there is in the world; but I believe him to be too easy and amiable, and to be misled by the malign influence of Kentucky counselors — and the Border State men.* He again urged the enlistment of negro troops and advised the administration not to be afraid of the cry of abolitionism, but to follow out the p®licy of military emancipation suggested by General Hunter's order. He had no hope of success until that policy was adopted. He viewed the matter not only as a question of emancipa- tion or abolition, but as the only means of putting down the Rebellion. For rebuking General Hunter he thought the administration deserved to be driven out, and he denounced it for refusing the liberation and employment of the slaves. He would seize all property of disloyal men as our armies advanced, and he would plant the South with a military colony if the Southerners would not otherwise submit. We come now to the attitude of Stevens toward the Constitution ; the constitutionality of war measures ; and the eiifect of secession and war on the status of the seceded states. The antislavery policy advocated by Stevens and men like him ' Congressional Globe, July 5, 1862.