Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-19
Why are we at war,

The National InteIligeaeeT give, the following
umEary view OF the case:
1t will be recollected that the Hon. Benjamin
Stanton, the Republican Chairman of the Mill
lry Committee, in the last House Of Representa-
ives, a few DAYS before the close of the session,
1e!d the following emphatic language:
sSeven or eight States now deny allegiance to
his Government and have organized separate
Confedera v, and have declared their independ-
nee of all control Of the Government. Whether
hat Independence Is to be maintained or not, the
ature only can decide. Buff towards the main
enance OF Their position public opinion in the Sc
eiing States should sustain the action of those
rho have taken the lead in this matter, SO as To
how q at nothing but war of subjugati0n and
conquest can bring them back, /, for one, rather
an resort to such means, am disposed 70 reco5
lise that Independence. Cries from the Demo
cratic side, "1hat's right, good
And on his way to assume the duties of his
office rs President of the United States of
America, Mr. Lincoln, in addressing a portion OF
MS countrymen. said:
"Now in my view of the present aspect of af
sairs, there need be no b!OOdshed or war. There
no necessity for it. am not in favor of such
! course, and i may say in advance that there
sill be blood shed unless il be forced upon the
Government, and then it will be compelled to act
n selfdefense"
The unfortunate attack upon the handful of
men shut up in Fort Sumter and that "humbling"
If the Federal flag, 10 use the words of Governor
'ickens in reporting the reduction of the fort to
Governor Le:eher, accompanied as they herewith
he cOtempnraneous tire Il of the Confederate
Secretary OF N -. so a., e. T., - three weeks
re fag of the new Republic might float over the
lone of the national Capitol, dispeled, in the
alignment alike of the Government and of the
great mass of the loyal population, any longer
iope of preserving the pence by sustaining a
lassve attitude in the presence of such defiances
nd such in.midatiOns. We may profoundly de-
lore the nee S'v. h-t i must be obvious TO all
hat. unless the Government of the United States
we're prepared TO hold its safety and existence at
he mercy of the seeded States, it was time to
rove to the world its capacity for sell preserva-
ion and self-deiense-
The New York Journal of Commerce. in CON-
nenting upon the foregoing remarks: So il ap
ears that this terrible war; as il IS likely to be be
ore it is over, was caused by the attack on Fort.
sumter and foolish remark in speech of Sec
-etary Walker, of the Confederate Government,
which appetrs to have been mere gasconade, and
Tot based upon any action or plan of the Confed
crate Government At any rate, there was at that
ime distince of 500 miles between Washington
City and the nearest point of the Confederate ter
itOry. The attack upon Fort Sumter was caused
oy the sending Of U. s squadron to supply il
With provisions and perhaps reinforcements, con
.rary to what was understood By Governor Pick
ms to be the promise of Secretary Seward. The
ending Of that squadron was ciuse1 bv the refu-
al of Governor Piekens to allow the Fort to be
)rovisioned. The provisioning of the Fort was in
Eolved in the purpose announced in the Presi-
Tents Inaugural Message. to possess and hold
he public property in the seeded States
That purpose WIS the turning point OF the
whole matter To possess and hold the forts in
he seeded State, WIS another name for war;
nasmuch IS they could not be held BY the Unite
States Government consistently with the iHie
COX TIE question fully in the face-to mIrk out
he line OF policy to be pursued. There were
.hree roads which might be taken-oRe coercion.
o compel the truants blek into the Union. with
Jut their consent-another, to mike such conces-
lions, azreeably to the Constitution, would
,rine them back voluntarily into the Union
and the third, to let them go in peace; at the
same time making arrangements with them for a
reciprocal commerce. interchange of mails.
and such other forms Of co operation as promised
to be Of mutual advantage. The war policy was
that actually chosen by our Governments, though
unfortunately without seeming to understand that
il was war policy-war to the knife ana the
knife to the hit. And 20 we have drifted on like
ship without a rudder, until we are where we