Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-04-30
What Are We to Fight for 2

The people of the North are united as one
man to support the national honor and flag.
No such resurrection of patriotism that seemed
to be dead, 90 deeply did 1t sleep, was ever seen
in the world. We are all ready, now that the
issue of war is forced, to defend our country
with all our money and all our blood.
But this great power of an uprisen nation
must have direction and an aim az distinct and
unanimous as its spirit, or it will be dissipated,
weakened and wasted. II must propose to itself
certain end to be accomplished, certain means
to that accomplishment. Then, concentrating
this vast force of new.Dorn love of country, our
leaders must direct 1t firmly and uufinchingly
to the purpose proposed Wealth of blood and
treasure without measure or limit are and will
be at their disposal, till every patriotic end they
shall seek is attained and made secure.
What is the great object to BET The Govern
ment has not yet seen t to declare its purpose In
definite terms. We await, in hope that it may
be worthy the high occasion, and that it will be
prosecuted with singleness to q triumphant issue.
The power is ready, It'll rests with the Government
to give it direction and effect. Meanwhile IL
seems to us that the true and proper aim Of the
Government in this contest is easy to know and
simple to follow. QUA NATIONALITY MUST DE
PRESERVED, THE UNION MOST BE MAINTAINED.-
Now that the hand is put TO the plow, there must
be no looking back. We cannot afford to have
two or more great and independent nations upon
the North American Continent. We cannot al
low a state of affairs which shall infict upon US
the curse of the divided nationalites Of Europe,
with their great standing armies, their fleets and
their taxes. We want TO hear no weak or trail
torous talk of separation or dissolution, either at
the beginning or end of the war. We desire no
holding Of the South as q conquered province;
we desire not to withhold from that section of
our country one, even the most insignificant, of
its rights under the Constitution; we are for
every additional guarantee Of those rights which
may be deemed necessary; but they must Motif
our Government is true to the nation, they cannot
withdraw from the Union We do not believe
in coercion-either OF men or States, sohen in
their sensesj but when they are mad, restraint
is necessary for the general safety. Ifthere was
any Imperative cause why the North and South
could not live together ss one people, IL would
be different. But there Is lessreason to day for
a separation than has existed at any time since
the Union was formed. Every year has knit US
together with new bonds. Every railroad and
every ship that has been built, every cotton plant
that has grown, every mill and factory and store
house that has been erected, has been an addi
tional link to make US one people forever.
Il is fortunate thing that the North has the
power to assert these principles and maintain
them. The overthrow Of treason is not only
possible, thanks to the burning patriotism OF
this great people, e,--it is easy, If only our Gov
ernment shall do It's duty with promptness and
efficiency. But the purpose must be single
There must be no managing of matters with an
eye to possible dissolution. We know there
are men attached to the party which placed the
Government In power, who desire and look for,
ward 10 dissolution Of the Union. Such sen
timents have been attributed to men high in M.
thOrity; but such sentiments are treason, and
the only treason we have now to fear The open
traitors in arms we can defy and vanquish; these
traitors, If not watched with jealous and care
full eye. will bring US to disgrace and destruc
tion.-Boston Courier.