The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-09-04

Vyh,eh h Psaess
MA. fatal error 70 suppose that respite can
hs chained from traitors b, any other mediation
than that of the sword. The path Of peace, like
the Journey Of the Israelites 70 the promise land.
lie, through the Red Sea-bss unlike them. We
mus, not turn our back upon the foe.
He who sees in the present contest only sfam-
ily Quarrel between two ugly children, Who only
need good .colding to quiet them, has 10 WIDER
SCOPE OF vision than an insect. He also Who
thinks even an ignominious peace can be obtain
ed by humilaiing coneessions TO the reoeh'
takes a. erroneous view Of the subject - the
other does . narrow one.
A. events shift the scenes Of the terrible pan
Drama passing before us, the real purposes OF the
Codfederates stand exposed to view. 1t win be
remembered in the outset al they asked W. TO
be lie, alone. Is this all they ask now! Let the
gigantic efforts they are making to conquer MIS-
souri, to dragoon Kentucky into rebellion in spite
of herself, to seize upon the Capitol add 70 over
run Marylan give the answer.
If you wish still further evidence Of their pur'
poses, listen TO the utterances Of the Richmond
Wing, in commenting upon our reverse as Boil
Run That paper says, "The breakdown OF the
Yankees, their utter un6tness for empire forces
dominion upon US Of the South. We are COM
PEELED to take the scepter and it 10 our duty 70
prepare ourselves TO WELD it with dignity and
effect. We must adapt ourselves to our dssti-
MES We must elevate eur race, every man OF
US, to command-to empire"
The watchword Of the Confederstes 10 not now
the whining petition with which they stels out
from among US, "all We ask ID TO be let alone. ,
No. They have buckled on their armor, and
drawn their sword, and now they charge down
upon US with the rallying cry Of "EMPIRE!"
upon their lips They do not even ak 10 to
recognize them, but in the language Of another
Southern organ, they propose 70 "rscogniss ~
spon the banks Of the Delaware and the Hud-
SON."
We must look this question straight in the
eye. We must either make up our minds to
fight to the death, if need be, or We may - well
lie down and suffer the gives Of serfdom 70 be
riveted upon our limbs at once. There 10 no
middle ground. In this war We are either to be
the conquering or the conquered race. Which
We shall be depends very much upon ourselves.
The impossb.lty Of peace upon any other b.
sis is apparent to those who study the logic Of
things, as well AZ events. The Secessionists
hate everything that belongs to % - . people.
We are democratic to the core,-they are arisso-
cratic. We seek to perpetuats the old republi.
can form of government,-they seek to build .
monarchy upon its ruins. We would educate
the many,-they only the few. We would sls-
vate thelaboring class.-they loathe. despiss and
oppress this class. We would extend the blss-
sings Of civil and religious liberty wherever We
have legitimate authority, they seek 10 found
a government based upon slavery a the chief
cornerstone.
Thus the antagonism penetrates through every
principle Of government, through the domestic
and socisl relations down into the very constitu.
ton of the race. The Saxon and the Norman,
the Puritan and the Cavalier, the Burghsrs and
the Chivalry have met each other again face to
face TO I tie for continent.
1t is u',,ly useless to attempt 70 shufas OF the
issue. 1t grapples Us firmly and We must Crap
pie il in turn with all our strength, or be crush
ed. Those who are base enough to purchase
peace at the cost Of one half the Confederacy
will in the end be compelled to barter away the
remainder, and will wake to consciousness only
to find themselves in helpless bondage.
1t is plain then that We can only ebtain peace
by Furnishing those who have broken the peace
Rebels must be brought back to their allegiance
to the government, and such an example must
be made Of those who have instigated rebellion
as shall deter others from following in their foot.
steps so long history shall rehearse their ollies
or recall the punishment which they suffered for
their crimes.