Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-08-17
THE ORIGIN AND OBJECTS OF THE
WAR.
Important Resolution.


The House Of Representatives Oh Monday last
says the National Intelligencer, adopted with
great unanimity a resolution, previously intro
dOced by Mr.. Crittenden, which deserves at this
juncture in our national history to bs specially
signalized to the attention of our readers, and
which we could wish might be read and weighed
by all our country men, as well those residing in
the seeded as in the loyal States of the Republic.
Ii was the purpose of the distins suished and pa
trioc mover OF the resolution to give expression
to the deliberate opinion OF the House of Repre-
seniativss upon two points. which, by their deter
mination, should serve to place, in the light
of mid day, the theory Of public duty on which
the nation is proceeding in itsarmed resistance
| TO the secession movement These two points
relate TO the origin Of the war on the one hand
and the objects for which it is to be prosecuted by
! the Government on the other. The first ascer.
tsns, in tn. judgment of Congress and as in the
eye Of history, the moral accountability which
attaches to those whe first precptated the dread
ftl calamity of civil eud. Tue second declares
TO what ends the war thus brought upon the
country shall be directed by the National Govern.
ment The terms OF Mr.. Crtenden's resolution
as follows:
"ResoIsed by the House of Representatives OF
the Congress OF the United States, That the pre-.
sent deplorabe civil war has been forced upon
the country Ivy the disunionsts OF the Southern
States, now in arms against the constitutional
Government and in aims around the Capital
that in this national emergency, Congress, ban
ishing all feeling of mere passion resentment
will recollect only its duty TO the whole country
that this is not wsged on their part in any
spirit Of oppression or Tor any purpose of conques,
or sutJugation, or purpose of overhrowng or in
terieling with the rights established institutions:
Of those States but to defend and maintain the
IS, H..
the Union, with all the dignity. equality. anC
rights of the several States unimpaired and tha
as soon as these objects are accomplished thu
war ought TO cease"
A division of the resolution having been OBJ
talned, so as to elicit separate and explicit eA
preston of opinion upon each of the two he ad
embraced i'll it, the vote was first taken upon tn
following declarat Iry clause, touching the hlsor
origin OF the war; and consequently the reIativ
moral responsibility VI those who are the parte
to IT,
"REsoLvED by the House Of Representative
of the Congress of the United States That tn
present deplorable civil war has been forced upo
the country by the disunionlsts of the Souher
States, now in revolt against the constitutions
Government, and in arms around the Capital.
Upon this branch OF the resolution the Hous
pronounced its verdict III the following decide
vote Yeas l2l. Nays-Messrs. Burnett an
r Reld-2.
SO the frs, clause of the resolution was adop
j ed with almost unexampled unsnimity in ma
3 ter depending upon human judgment uhe
(, brought to bear ON the facts of current histur
Men coming alike from the North and from ii
South, from the East and from the West, repr
l senting slave holding constituencies and moi
= savehodng, have concurred III the utierance
r this solemn award, attesting to the hest Of the
knowledge and belief, the truth under this hea
And nothing but the unavoidable absence of Sc
s eral members who are known to entertain Il
l. opinion expressed III these terms prevented a stl
= further accession OF names to the category of It
affirmative votes.
The question was next taken On the secor
s part af tue resolution was decided in the affirm
tive, as follow Yeas ~. Nays, Messrs. Pe
ter and Riddle-2.
The House of Representatives has thus place
on record, not only inr TO day, but for all tim
n the parliamentary judgment of the nation wi
4 regard TO the origin and OBJECT Of war contesst
TO be "deporable," but forced upon 1.-The country