Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-26
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The. sieus Of che times are ominousa The
ensrancs Of the United States troops into Yir'
giuia Is doubtless the opening OF new and
bloody act In the tragedy ol civil war. Ii has
commenced with the murder Of the la.
mented Col. Ellsworth, and the resaliatory
death Of his assailant But we are expecting
every hour to hear Of slaughter and death on a
larger, a more extended and terrible SCALE
Still, the contest may for some days be coniined
to mere predatory and guerrilla warfare.
Even this is, in some respects, more to be de-
plored than regular pitched battle, for while
Il wastes life and property, It decides nothing,
and only serves to aggrayate and proloDg the
contest by prompting on both sides to acts Of
revenge and desperation. ~..it{ ~ .s,,
While waiting for the announcements which
the next telegraphic reports may bring, we pause
in awful suspense, as before the anticipated
shock OF an earthquake, or the expected burst
ing forth of the long pent-up fires and lava OIL
an unquiet and upheaving volcano. We know
that the shock must come; that the volcanic ex-
plosion cannot long be delayed, and that the
work OF destruction and death will be fearful
Bat the iron hand Of necessity is upon us-we
must meet the impending calamities face TO
face; for there is no way OF escape with either
honor or safety. All we can do is to hope, ana
pray. and labor, that the evils Of the war may be
mi.igated as much as possible, that the con-
test with arms may be short one, and thattn
hearts Of the people may be speedily turned to
Cancellation and peace.
We turn from the cad aspect of wariike STRIFE
to the contemplation of the great issue involved
Il Is no less than the preservation OF our Union
by the enforcement of its laws. If the suprema
cy OF these cannot be maintained, the Union Is al
an end. The powerful combinations which have
been formed 10 resist, and which are in fact re
sisting the execution oil the laws, stand IN re-
spect 70 the Federal Government on the same
footing as mobs and bands Of rioters and
other outlaws do in regard to State and munich
pal authorities II these get the upper hanc
and are suffered to maintain their ascendency II
State or city, life and property are at th'
mercy Of despoism more TO be dreaded thar
that Of Nero. Such combinations and con-
spiracies against the peace and safety of So
ciety must be put down, and the particpator'
consigned to exemplary punishment at what
ever cost of blood and treasure.
We are disposed to give due weight to every
excuse which those in the Southern States, who
resist the execution of the federal laws, car
make for their position. We thought, and still
think, they had with us coed reasons for oppo'
sing the election of LINCOLN to the Presidency
Bot when he had been constitutionally elected
60 that Office, the decision Of the people shoul1
have been acquiesced in. To resist his author
ity as the Chief Executive of the Nation
al Government, was to resist the operation
the Constitution, and compass the dissolution
the Union. Aud ali this, not for any allege
aggression on the part of the Federal Govern
ment, but solely on the ground Of the electio
Of man to the Presidency, whose political prin
ciples aud party associations were disliked an
abhored.
WDhteVcE tu0 uunA ioouO VI ehO
ful strife may be, it is certain that, while tn
whole country will greatly suffer, those portion
of It In which the opposition to the execution
the federal laws has become the most rampan
will beexposed to the greatest disaster and ruiz
Those who have committed overt acts Of treasc
and ofresistance to the laws, and have taken
arms against constitutional National Go'
ernment, have brought swift destruction to the
own doors, and can blame nobody but then
selves. The loyal Democrats who have sto'
by their Southern brethren and fought IN polite
contests side by side with them, for the supren
acy of the laws and the maintenance o. the UI
ion, are now engaged with equal zeal and ard
in sustaining the Government against tho
who resist the laws and are attempting to d
stroy the Union.