The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-04-25
Ken0siia, Thursdy, april rs, 1861
Cur .TustiGcation.

I
| he booming Of cannon and 50 the clash of re-
sounding Anus come to US on every southern
breeze. il viii not be amiss to take retrospect
i've view Of the causes Il at have led us to tbi.
: lameniabe crisis in our national existence
There is great responsibility resting some
where for the present state Of things. If i
should be found to rest upon the people of the
| Free States, we believe it would be found hare
TO raise either the men or the money to carry
on the war; but if, on the other hand, it car
be Shown that this war has been forced upon
the country in spite Of the most earnest endeav
ors 30 prevent it fthe people of the Free States
and Of the administration, there should be nj
limit to the supply of either.
With justice on our side, fighting for the I'm
ion the Constitution, and our Free Institutions
there win be no hesitation either in those who
shoulder the musket or those who furnish The
means TO equip and sustain armies.
To glance back al first causes, it is patent to
all that the question of slavery has been the
fruitful source of the existing strife. The
slave holders have seen the Free States growing
tnd expanding in all elements of greatness, in
cs3asing in population, and growing in wealth
/ az rate, when compared with their own slug
sish and imperceptible advancement, actually
supernatural Instead of growing emulous,
they have grown envious, and to satisfy, in a
MEASURE, their envy and malice, have charged
the blight that mas rested upon their prosperity
go
sights and franchises of tie south They have
persisted in shutting their eyes to the real dil-
fculty in the way OF their own advancement,
aud that electually prevented them from keep
ing pae with the Free States. They have been
| TAUGHT 10 look upon our prosperity, not as the
! Legitimate result of Free Labor of portion OF
their own country, in which they are almost
equally interested with ourselves, bnt rather as
rivals aud enemies. Thus taught, they have
sought to lind cause for quarrel and contention
| in every measure started for the benefit and
advancement Of the whole country. In common
with almost every civilized nation on the earth
the people Of the Free States have disliked and
condemned African slavery, and have sought
! by constitutional means to prevent its spread
into re. aud free territory. This has been il
40 spirit Of cnmity or i'll will towards our breJh
rem OF The slave holding States. It has beer
from conscientious and patriotic motivs to pre-
vent the spread of what we JclteUed 20 be :
great evil morally, and what we knew to be 1
great drawbaek-a perfect incubus on tht
growth prosperity and welfare of our common
country In urging upon the country the prin
| cir'es which we were satisfied would tend to thC
Rational welfare and prosperity We have always
beeu careful not to infringe on any constitution
al light Of The south land at all times to disclain
any intention or wish to interfere with the in
ssimtinn in any State where it was already es-
fabl$hcd. But this forbearance and federation
Of what we conscientiously believed to be
great Evil and a stain on our national escutch
con, did not suit nor satisfy our slavehoIding
neighbors. They wanted to compel US to fall
ia love with slavery and to give it the highest
| plac in the nation .awys. To this we objected
! by appeals to the wisdom and patriotism of the
peoPic,untd majority ofthis great nation have
Acknowledged the righteousness of our cause,
and as Il consequence we elected a Republican
Pres dent. This is all ace have done to bring
ON this war. We have exercised the Freeman's
groa oat privilege the right of suffrage, aud
as We expected to do, have defeated our oppo
neuts as the ballot box. This triumph has beer
foljoa ed by no demonstration against the insti
'utions OF the South, still we are now involved
ia civil war for no other reason than that we
commanded the greatest number of votes las
fall
Since the election Of Republican Presiden
We have commenced no hostilitics, made M
aggressive movement. While the South wa
taking our Forts and Navy Yards, robbing on
srsenals, mints, and sub-treasuries, we sat per
I q ely qnict, aud with magnanmity never be-
/ i'.o seen or heard Of, allowed the STAKEHOLDER.
/ 10 iurtity themselves, raise armies, and prepar
themselves 1t all points for an offensive war
y J. cir Preparations completed, they have co nj,
meuced the war.
IN the face Of such a record, are we not ius
tifcd in carrying on the war as vigorously and
deci.iveiy as our means will permit, until wa
have onQuered peace No truelpatros will
answer, 40. Then, lie; us avail ourselves of ali
tie advantages circumstances have placed in
o'u hands, bringing forth our own strength,
aud availing ourselves of all the weaknesses OF
the enemy, whatever they may be- Ne should
not be held responsible for any calamity that
may be brought upon the south as the final re-
suit of this war. They have, in spite of remon-
STRANGE, opened the wUr, and the consequences
be upon their own heads.
In such war, we may confidently appeal to
Him who governs the issue of events, to bless
cur efforts and 60 with our armies and fight
their battles We fight for the Right, for JUS
lice Tor humanity, for good government, and
every principle that The lovers Of Freedom have
always held most dear.