The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-13
Nee, the Question.


Ono would think, II at any timo the die.
cussion OF slavery 10 fitting, the present to
be the time. Yet journals have expressed
the hope that this session VI Congrcss may.
not he the occasion for tho introduction Of
exciting topics which shall tend 10 create q
division Of sentiment ut the North. And 10
is constantly urged that Government being
engaged in q war iur the maintenance OF tho
Union, and not war, OF emanciTatia y, tho
people should DO content 10 sustain The Adj
ministraticn, and leave all other matters to
BE- settled by the course Of events. But turn
IRON u Us VIC may, We cannot escape tho
conviction that slavery introduced ths war,
that Tor tho preservation and extension Of
slavery the Confederate States arc in urms
against the Government, and that M long as
slavery lasts in the Union, tho source OF dis
cord will last Ia the end Of tirnc. unfortu-
nately the question has been party oue and
from this reason arises much Of the unwil-
lingness to meet the question squarly. But
the duty Of the present Is 10 forget all party
prejudices, not only to step aside from party
organizations. but. In the spirit VI true patri-
otism, to heartily unite 10 whatever may be.
likely to strengthen the Government to-day,
and ensure permanent peace for the future.
We arc fighting to preserve the Constitution
and the Republican principles ], embodies-
the S,uill Is seeking to destroy n, and 70 seS
IN another form Of Government with tho
"peculiar institution" for corner.sione, and
70 IL comes about that the struggle Is for and
against slavery, and the question OF emanci-
patioDs necessarily 20 involved in She con-
test that 1t cannot b. silcnced. The Federal
troops in the seeded States aIe met by crowds
Of fu,itiyes and abandoned slaves. What Is
to be done with them? There y necessity
for nm immediate answer. Is u constitution
III to FREQ thcm, 0r must they be returned to
the master, OF shall the whole matter bc LEFT
to the discretion of % military oihccr, whose
judgment may sosnetimes dictate oos policy
and sometimes another? In tho conduct OF
the war new cxigencics arise, TO meet which
there are provisions In tho Constitution
The Prsidcnt Is sworn 10 maintain the Con-
stitution as % is, and Is powcrles to act ex-
ecpt in accordance with the spirit and litter
OF It's laws. To Ccogre- the peorIe hook NJ
q source from which must emanste o policy
which shall best protect the interests OF tho
country. preserve tho Government; and edec-
tually crush rebellion.
They expect no point Of vital importance
tending 10 strengthen tho Government will
be overlooked. and there does MOI appear any
reason why silence should 10 observed upon
that one topic which Of oil Others has had
most to do with the origin Of ihs war, which
is, in every expedition OF the Federal forces,
iorcibly brought 10 the attention Of The Nd
ministratioD, and will, in the 6nal adjust
mcnt Of the contest. call for legislative ac-
lion before harmony can be restored 10 tho
country. Silence upon the subject VI sla-
very has been urged In tilncs past lest tho
nth should be pDyokel toseccssioa. Bot
with every guarantee for its protection tho
calamity has not been arrested. II Is now
urged for fear the agitation Of n subject that
has been ~ closely connected with party pol
itice, and which touches 10 nearly the inter
Csts Of one section OF the eountry, may provo
a stumbling. block in the way et returning
peace and reconstruction Of the union.-
We do not think that thus the best interests
of the country will DO consulted. The time
has come to meet the question OF slavery
boldly. frankly, and without reserve. Tho
rights Of loyal men under ,bc constitution.
the course TO be pursued towards rebels, tho
|
Administration to take some definite policy
in relation to fugitiycs, both in regard To
their present condition md their future dis
posal, all combine to press the discussion OF
slavery upon the people and npon Coagcss-
We cannot escape from il, and il seems
pusillaRimous to attempt TO thrust out OF
sight. through fear Of ereitement, tho evil
which has brought civil war upon tho coun.
try, and called an army OF half million OF
men into the field for tho preservation Of
principles against which slavery wages con-
slant warfare. Slavery has done is worst
for tho North, and no fear can now deter
loyal men irOin meeting u in that spirit
which byc for the Union and q hops OF
preserving q Republican form q govern
mcnt awakcns. Whatever coarso Congress
may in this spirit adopt, and whatever enact
nrnts it may pass. W, believe the people arc
ready 30 stand by tho Administrators in its
pursuance OF that course. and IN It's vigorous
execution oC thoso cnactmcnts.-Nen Bed
ford Mercury.