The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-04-17
WHITTIER ARE WE DRIFTINGl

W6lTHEk AXE WE UN1EX1N0!
It would seem from a general survey
d ne aspect ofinff.irs Ia lshe nation. |
that this great Republic, the pride Of
America and the admiration Of the
world. is- 70 dfiff into hpArchy.f QuE'
gaoyernmne Mt is calculated for peace ra,I-
er than war. and no provision in the Or
ganic Of statutory laws provides against
the evils Of State instructions, True
the government carries with il the idea
and abstract rights Of perPetua'ion. as as
no government worthy Of confidence
and respec, can provide for its own
overthrow or disin,egra,ion. But The,
idea Of peace and by. harmony at at home y
seem. e.h 70 .haYe been The prevailing one,
with The trainers, Of ..he con,.siisulien, cons.
and they did no. provide against = cen
,isgency which their own true pa.rio,-
ism he'd them 10 think would Inever, hap
pen. Or perhaps more correctly. they
did not think Of such an occurrence rs.
hheira clildyea tuning traitors, 70 The
government established by .sha blood,
toll and wisdom Of their fathers; and
not having such thought Of course
they did no: provide for thing they
did not fora moment dream as possible.
Had they lived in this day OF dera-
gogues aud spoils hunters they would
have seen some Of the corrupting in
fluences which destroy the virtue Of
good men and make kpaves and traitors
Of bad ones: aud their wisdom would
then have devised . remedy. ssi.s~ ..
|. With strong arm Ike Ina. pf Wash :
ington or Jackson tO strike down treason
and disunion, We might hope ioI s.abil-
ity but Mr.. Buchanan lacked energy.
aud We fear patriotism also; aud Le let
the golden opportunity pass for .nipping
treason in the bud" and now: the
monster. has grown 10 such, huge di-
mensious that il cannot he slain with
out blOodshed and civil war. This be-
ins the case. the present Executive has
been reluctant 10 strike .ihe blow which
shall decide whether we have . sell.
sustaining govssaaes, ss-aot.
Thi,patsins Of the evil day for years
past has been the bare Of our nation.
and we fear viii prove its ruin. God
rules with people and Kingdoms: but
He does not assist those who will not
help themselves. IAN things will
work together for 'good"s to those who
do right: but have we done right I.
Have We no, rather chosen to follow
the lead Of Partisans whose personali in.
terests led them to "darken council
for selfish purposes ! or. At best. trusted
in the wisdom of men rather than the
principles Of right. trail, ard justice :!
! Evidently we are drifting onto dam
gerou. shoals. and il the good old ship
Of state 10 not speedily rescued from
her perilous condition, she mus, 70 TO
pieces on the rocks. We have 90
often been deceived in the men entrust
ed with power tha. we begin 10 doubt
the ability or intention Of any to
stand BY the government with a single
purpose to do right. We do hope.
however. that .hc present administra-
.ion will be faithful and honest. II
not the Union is at an end. and our
government shorn Of its strength and
responsibility. % sD7a @.' Ai0 'ao-
Asit is, the Border Slave States are
an element Of weak ness in the govern.
ment. occupying tho position they do.
which must ultimately turn The scale
un'avorably. we fear. They profess TO
be friends u the Union. and get dc.
mand new euaranice-tfey ara no, con-
tent with the noble constitution given
US BY the fathers. and hence cIamor
for amendments or = Reconstruction Of
the Confederacy. threatening at the
same time. to 60 to the Southern Con.
federacy If their demands are not grant.
ed! This is love for the Union with
= vengeance :" II these States would
come up boldly to the poin, and declare
their adhesion tothe Constitution and
laws without The Condition II new
guarantees. SO long a. ves:ed rights
were not interfered win. secession
would die in sixty days: but willis
these States occupy a doubtful position,
they encourage treason: and The attempt
to hold them weakens the hands OF The
administration. 't ="
Our opinion is. that the laws ought
to be executed at al points. AMI wher.
resisted. let those who resis. take The
~ouenr.nn>as is-t i-f@ - s41fs. Il