The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-15
React on in Public Sentiment.

city, town and neghborhood from which we hava
intelligence, there accounts of revolution iG
the public mind, which must soon produce a
powerful reaction, and lead 10 more careful ex-
animation into the causes and probable consequent
ces of the war. On the breaking out OF bOstili-
ties the patriotic impulses of the people led to :.
general outburst in support of the Government
and the maintenance of the Constitution, and the
exigencies of the scarcely admitted of thai
cool examination ana reelection wh;ch were ncces
sary 10 full understanding of the issues involved
in the controversy The general declaration that
the Wa: was to be waged To uphold and support the
Constitution, sufficient to enlist the sympa-
thies of the people in fighting its battles; but
when the fact disclosed, that instead of sup
porting the Constitution, the war has been made
the excuse and Justification for violating and
trampiing under foot is provisions, the public
mind became in some measure aroused to tic
questions presented for consider Ition. and more
careful inquiry has in consequence been Instituted
into the causes, objects and probable effect of the
war.
This inquiry has been simulated in no sm Il. de-
gree, by the developments which appeared from,
time to time, touching the enormous burdens
which the war is to cast upon the coumtry-th,
fearful sacrifice of life which will be demand
ed TO give it success, or to sustain its defeats
These burdens and sacrifices. vet scarcely begun
to be felt i'll the force and volume which they must
ultimately acquire, have afforded some slight ind-
cations of what the country IS to be called upon to
suffer and endure before the end shall be reached
and the object Of the war;, indeed It has def
mite ohj"ct-accomplished. Po-tpoaing, for the
moment, the awful destruction OF human IF.
which the war must cost-the burdens upon the
material interests of the country likely to be
such to overwhelm its business in common ru-
in, and leave legacy of debt for posterity, fear
ful to contemplate. But in order TO maintain the
credit of the Government sufficiently to obtain the
enormous loans TO carry Oh the war, Il system of
taxation, direct and indirect, most oppressive in its
character. The imposition of tax of fifteen
cents per pound on tea, five cents coffee, and
two to tive cents on sugar. to say nothing OF the
burdens proposed to be cast upon the other neces-
saries of life, will be felt in every househould,
rich or poor. throughout the country. SO too the
the direct tax which is proposed to levy, to pay
the interest on the public debt, aid without which
>
rowed, will strike at the root of ali prosperity,
and infct severe burdens upon nearly al. classes
of people In addition 80 the tax on Lands, the
owner of watch, carriage, almost any other
article of luxur,, j. to he compelled to pay spe-
cial tax, ranging from one to Gity dollars, while
the proposed income tax viii take from the already
diminished earnings of every man, three per cent,
equal TO fifteen dollars on salary Of five hundred
dollars, thirty dollars on a salary of one thousand.
sixty dollars a sllary OF two thousand, ninety
on three THOUSAND, &c-a very serious demand
upon the labor of the country.
These questions are just beginning to be under
sto ID, is also something of the horrors ard
sacrifices of life which must attend the war. We
have had slight experience in that way in the
battle at Bulls Run, but nothing to what must be
experienced if hostiiities to be long tin
ued. The reaiiz lIion of these things will b.
brought home to nnar, every family for few will
be found who have not to mourn the loss, in battle
or from the exposures aud casualties of the camp,
of some friend patriotically called serve in the
army. These losses. greater from the latter men
toned causes than from battle Will demand an
hundred thousand victims, even If the war shall
not prove of long duration. All these things
might be suffered and borne, if any great object
were to be caincd-any substantial good accom-
plshed. But in view OF such considerations as we
have named AMI of the general evils and horrors
ola civil war, of such magnitude tliat which is
just opening upon Us. the people begin 20 ask.
what good is to come OF all this what substan-
tai benefits TO posterIy, to he achieved through
nj In, III,
more practical question challenges auention-can
we subjugate and reduce the enemy against whom
We ale contending
These are questions of no small circumstance.
and forcing themselves, day by dav, more
prominently upon the public mind, AMI producing
convictions unfivorable to TIE plans of the war
party The President and his advisers failed a.
the outset to comprehend the magnitude and ex-
tent of the revolution which has been inauguratcd
in the Southern States-ailcd to appreciate. if not
the causes of the revolution. least the resources
AMI ability which are brought TO ITS support The
leading papers. since the battle at Bulls Rum
and the revelations respecting the batteries AMI
troops at Manassas, publicly ackno rlel,e their IL
norance respecting the cncmy's power With
these facts and confessions before them the pco-
pie, awakened to 4 Of the dreadful error a.
ready committed, demand th 1t a begun under
a misapprehepsion of the motives and resources
of the enemy having for its pro 'ecution no well
defined object, unless il be that of overthrow ins
in violation of constitutional provisions, the do
mcstlc institutions existing in the Southern States,
shall cease at the earliest moment an honorable
peace can he obtAincd. This feeling. contrary Il
the general impression. is stronger in the country
than in the large cities. and is becoming SO much
developed that it must soon fad uttcrmce in pub
/ lie expression as well as in private conversation
and action. F,om all sections OF the country we
hear of this growing sentiment for peace, and ev-
cry day serves To increase and strengthen il among
the masses of the people. 1t has alrc IDS become
too strong for suppression, and il we do not mis-
take the los OF events" will soon become the
controlling sent ment of the country.--N. Y. Jour