The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-05-23
Tie Var and its Causes.


Tho opinion is steadily gaining ground
in the minds of great many Northern
fanatics, that the difficulties which row
environ the nation will not be settled un l.
Ill every slave in the South is freed, either
by force or otherwise, aud many think that
is the object of the administration, under
the plea Of protecting and holding the
public property. That such is now the
design of the administration, we do not
believe BIZ. If the war should prove as
fruitful of dire calami,ies as the present
aspect of affairs seem to indicate. it would
not be surprising if the federal govern
raent would confscate the property of those
openly engaged in the rebellion and when
such property (which would include the
slaves) Is taken. it viii not be difficult to
determine what disposition will be made
o il.
The contrary opinion held by the active
clement in the two great sections. as to
what is the proper social and political con-
dillon Of the nagr,, has ever been prolific
source Of national discord. The other ma
tional questions which have arisen have
been judicialy disposed of or efec;ual
~ compromised. But tie niger question
seems to be one of never-ending conten-
ion. 1t was thought to be settled BIZ the
Ordinance OF 1897 by the Missouri Com
dromise of 1929 by the Compromise
Measures of 1859 and by Legislation in
accordance 9TH thos, measures. and now
in 1861. it demands settlement, by the
arbiirameni of the sword.
We are not unfrequently told that we
should not look at the cause Of tie pres :
ent difficulties. but that the fact that they
DO exis. should nerve US to use every eX
ertion to sustain the government in the
present crisis without reference to retro.
spection. That the government should be
sustained in every constitutional cndeavor
10 protect lis property and citizens, we
readily admit; we are one Of those who
believe that to properly understand the
cause Of difficulty, is one step towards
rs solution and although a knowledge Of
the cause " which has brought us. as a
na.ion. to where we are, viii not be eff Ct
ual in GuelIing the rebellion. or in deciding
the business Of the Claims set M by either
party, We, it nay enable us 70 prevent fr-
tare difficulties Of a like nature, and aid in
tie satisfactory adjustment OF the compli-
cations which arise in all governments.
Hon. EIizur Wright. prominent New
England Republican, AID Secretary Of the
Massachusetts, Board of Insurauce Com
missioners, makes he following statement
among others. in answer to a letter Of in
quiry concerning war risks in lie insu-
rance policies. lie says:
The peculiar Institution Of the South
renders it impossible for is ex'emporized
government u concentrate a force sulli
Gent to parry blow of this sort, AMI it
mus. necessarily make the best terms il
can--among which will doubtless De slip
ulation for the ertia.yuishmeh offsot cio;m
OF property az MN WHICH CAUSED
THE WAR"
Ii this statement be true. does It not
follow that the North have been meialing
with the rights of the South under the
Constitution There is little or no dvis-
ion Of sentiment in the South, in regard to
their right 10 " claim property in man,
as The Aboli;ionists term the RICH, to hold
slaves. Hence. if there arise an issue be-
tween the South and North on this ques.
ton. il must be oceasioaea by tie refusal
OF the North to accord to them the rights
guaranteed by the Constitution and laws.
Ii the cause Of the war is the lain oi
property by the South. to eradicate that
cause is certainly the object of the oppos-
ing section. If that object Is attained, il
will essentially be an abolition war.
Mr.. Wright has thus admitted more than
we have ever charged his party with. /
the result of the should prove that hi,
statement Is correct, TO all the evils Of civ
il war will be allied that of q servile in
surrection Abotionism is hideous enough
in any shape, but when it assumes the shapC
Of rebellion. we are compelled to regarc
it as the most reprehensible form OF mis-
directed philanthropy.
Among the dispatches last Tuesday wa:
one stating that band Of three hundred
Secsssionists were committing all kinds o
deeds Of blood and thunder in Martin
county This was such an unreasable liz