The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-22

w expressing OF withholding Of an opinion
IMAM the comparative cash Compensation e., 90
DOING has been ple.led to a.. ribute our nos;,
''oa upon the Meslla question to mercenary
motives,
we are careful of employing epithets, and
we shall not characterize the injustice of this
lmputaton with any of those terms which are
offensive to nice sense Of honor. Should we
do so after the following language from the
Tribune, we might be regarded as offering a
wanton insult to one who had announced in ad-
vance his determination not to resent it, except
in the voluble use OF unmeaning terms and ir-
responsible explosives;
sBut when asked to sght for the honor of our
country, our frat inquiry must be, Has she the
right of the controversy? If she has not the cause
for which we are asked to fight 10 not That of h.r
honor but her dishonor, and we are bound to act
accordingly. Lest haply ye be found fighting
against God, 10 a forcible caution, which We can
not, dare not disregard +"
Really, when the Tribune thus catches up
It's oroadbrim, and buttons the protecting dra b
over Its non oombatant carcass, We think it
from agitating subject SO rsplete with domestic
disturbance and SO inviting to foreign inter
ference.
But, in application of the Iribme's doctrine,
suppose the United States shonld be involved
in war with Great Britain on account of the
institution of slavery. In such case, the
first inquiry of the Ifibcne must be, HAS our
country the right of the controversy"
TIE this inquiry let the same paper make en-
swer:
ono, sir! Slavery is not an American principle,
but deadly foe to American principles, imposed
on our infancy by foreign avarice, under the cover
OF Blinded or corrupted priesthood. Ii is as un
American as any other form of despotism and CD
preston We may not be able TO throto it off for
several years yet but it is the less revolving
un-American, and at deadly with our funda
mental PRINCIPLES" Our italicsl
Well, then, our country cannot be sin the
right" to defend an institution thus character
lied.
What, therefore, would be the logical reply
OF the Tribune in case of such war to the re-
cruiting officer who called on him to exchange
the composing stick for the bayonet2 He
would naturally commence with the internal
inquiry "Will honor set leg?" 'Will honor
increase subscription list?" And having re-
ceived prompt and negative replies in both in
stances, it would proceed to reply to the re
cruiting officer-settlng IT'S conservative cas-
tor, twiddling its non cOmbatant thumbs, aud
turning upwards its peaceful eyes, to answer
in this wise:
'tRIEsD SERGEANT: Since that is the Off
ciel by which thou art known amongst
the sons of Belial, the invitation which,
after thy profane manner, thou hast rendered
to me to go upon the field Of carnal combat,
and imbrue my hands in the blood of my fel-
low-men, or perchance permit them to in
brue their hands in mine, is wholly inconsis
tent both with the doctrines which teach as
well as with the following propositions which
will, for your edifcation, proceed to dis
cuss:
81. Is a rational and accountable being jus
ti6able in fighting under any circumstances?
2. Does war with England for the preser,
walton OF slavery constitute sufficient cause
of war2"
The first question we shall pretermit. since
no cause has yet arisen, or is likely to arise,
in which we feel called on to decide it,
"Upon the second head we would reply. that
a war with England, because her people
evince a growing detestation of slavery,
would be fighting not in defence of sthe
honor of our county but of her dishonor.,
Therefore lest haply ye we be found
fighting against God we must beg leave,
respectfully, to reply that neither proposition
requires US to go into the field. We will
seek out shOt-proof sanctum, and there
abide, until the result shall be officially an
nounced
"We therefore, sergeant, commend to thy
Profane meditations those touching lines.
but children you should never let, &C.,
They must have been at some remote period
hallowed upon those lips, albeit they now
SAVIOR but OF brandy, gunpowder, and pro-
family. Those lines are with us doctrinal.
Upon the second head, sergeant, we would
enlighten thy Opaque intellect, and if possible
transmit through thy harness. leather helmet,
and thy thickly-padded coat, some reasons
which will convince thee of the horrible wrong
of this war. Perhaps thou mayest prefer the
peaceful badge of conductor upon that railroad
known as the 'Underground;' and thus thou
wilt escape the sin of the blood of those who
come on the merciful mission ofenfranchising
their colored brethren
",To engage in a war most belligereut. ser
geant, with England because her people
evincea growing detestation of slavery, would
as we have elsewhere said, BE fighting not in
defence of the honor of our country, but of
the dishoROr.' We must therefore respect-
fully reply, most bellicose centurion, that
since 1t neither consists with the propositions
endorsed, nor yet with our personal predilec-
tOns, 10 the words of the profane and pugna-
clous SHAKESPEARE, to set a squadron in the
field and still less to be set upon by one
we must decline thy summons We will re-
tire within our shot-proof sanctum, or we
will cheertully go with thee to prison, seeing
that 1t may perchance be still safer, and there
abide until the fortune of the day be known
1t thou shalt succeed, most humane and
81,