He dwelt both on the horrors of such a war, and on its destruction of industry: "What will be the practical effect of declaring emancipation, not as an act of justice and beneficence, dispensed by the Supreme Power of the State, but as an act of punishment and retaliation inflicted by a belligerent upon a hostile community, it is not difficult to foresee.

Wherever the arms of the United States penetrate, a premium will be given to acts of plunder, of incendiarism, and of revenge.

The military and naval authorities of the United States will be bound by their orders to maintain and protect the perpetrators of such acts.

Wherever the invasion of the Southern States is crowned by victory, society will be disorganized, industry suspended, large and small proprietors of land alike reduced to beggary[924]." The London newspaper press was very nearly a unit in treating the proclamation with derision and contempt and no other one situation in the Civil War came in for such vigorous denunciation.

Citations setting forth such comment have frequently been gathered together illustrative of the extent of press condemnation and of its unity in vicious editorials[925].