The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-08-24

L
This isa question which is now agitat-
ing the mind of every thinking man with
more force than ever. We can read the
accounts Of battles in Virginia with a con-
siderable degree Of eomposure, but the late
slaughter at Springfield has brought the
war. with all its desolation and darkness,
almost to our own Immediate doors and
men are startled from their comparative
iethargy, and are inquiriug. Wat is all this
bloodshed for ? What great good is to be
derived from war SO extensive and bloody
as the one now going on in America?
o. AT the time of the attack on Fort Sum-
ter, 10000 troops were called for by the
President, for the purpose of protecting the
Government and the suppression of the re-
bellion. 1t was distinctly understood at
that time by the President, and the mass of
the people, that there was to be no attempt
TO interfere with the institution of Slavery
where it existed. The rights of the slave
holder were to be protected as rigidly as
those of any other class of citizens. It was
farthest from the thoughts of the Northern
people, to abolish Slavery in the Southern
States. If the Rebels had laid down their
srms and ceased their opposition to the en-
forcement of the laws, the war would have
ended there. There was no desire on the
part of the Administration, or any consid-
cradle number of the people. to abolish
Slavery. But public sentiment has under
gone d great change since then. The Reb-
els, by their persistent efforts to destroy the
United States Government to trample
under foot the plainest, most democratic
and sacred provisions of the Constitution
by their impudence-by their wholesale
system of murder and theft, have provoked
the Northern mind to such an extent that
they are compelled to make the issue the |
abolition of Slavery. We believe the time
has come when we are bound to accept the
issue forced upon US by the Rebels. Ev-
cry candid man will admit that the real first
cause of tho struggle now going on on this
continent is Human Slavery. There is no
lodging this. Then, it is logical and rea-
sonable to suppose if the cause is removed,
there will be no more fighting. 1t is war
fos the abolition or extension of Slavery
nothing else. If the Rebels are victorious,
we have not the slightest doubt that Slav-
cry win be proclaimed national. There will
be an end to Freedom in America, and an
archy will reign throughout the land. If
our arms are in the right and are success
fnl. then why not have the full benefit of
thot freedom, which will be so dearly
bought before this war is over? Why not
take the ground now, that there shall be no
more Slavery? We believe the sooner the
position is taken by the Administration, the
better it will be for it. 1t will be forced TO
take it soon. The people will demand it.
There is no use of hiding the real issue any
longer. ,sas b.r !
The noble Italian, Garibaldi, says :: elf
the American war is for Freedom, I am
With you with 10000 men," This senti-
ment is echoed by thousands of men in this
country. who think that if Slavery is to re-
main in the country after the war, there is {
no use of fighting. When we proclaim that !
Dur war is for Freedom, we shall have the
entire sympathy. not only of England. but :
Of the whole world. All distinguished Eu- !
ropeans have looked npon this as a war
between the two political parties. Let them
know what we are really fighting for !!
a Rumors of an invasion of Kansas, on