Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-01
The war-what Is it Ferl

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The War-What IL it Fer!a y |
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II the question we're asked ~ regard to most
of the wars that have aflietedt the earth, slaughs
tered its Inhabitants, and desolated its surface,
what they were for, II would seldom meetwith =
satisfactory answer. Few persons who read
about wars are able to arrive at any definite
idea Of their real causes, and these, when II is
uo,sible to discover them, usually seem 90 trih-
ing and inadequate as TO make one ashamed OF
his own species. The Judgment Of participa-
tors in war, as to its justice or Injustice, ell
ther on one side or tho other,is seldom confirmed
By the verdict Of impartial history. But thecon'
sequences Of waging war of any kind, and es'
pecially civil war, are 80 fearful and terrible,
that Il becomes every man who engages in or
encourages il, to weigh well the alleged justice
Of the cause he espcuses. It may be just and
patriotic to say that eve are all for our country
right or wrongs" but 1t is important to be cer-
tain that we are really on the side ofour coun-
try,
II is no unusual, nay, it Ia very common
thing for men who engage in conflict in do
Tense Of their country, with no very clear and
well settled convictions as to the object for
which they are contending, to turn, In the heat
of passion, madness and revenge, their efforts
and their arms against that very country. This
Is sometimes done wiliully; but oftensr, by the
mass, blndly, and through the influence OF par
tisan, selfish and unprincipled leaders. t
is, therefore, Of infinite moment that the man
who takes up arms, or encourages others to take
them up, especially against his own countrymen'
should fully understand the reasons for the war;
against whom and what its blows should be d.
rected, and what persons and things should be
held sacred.
The object Of the war which the Federal Gov
ernmens is now carrying on against those who
are in arms to resist its authority, ia variously
stated by heated partisans, North and South
But for true information on this point, we are
bound, in honesty and candor, to look to the
highest official source--to him who, for the time
being, is the responsible Executive Chief Of the
Government.
President LINCOLN, in his inaugural address,
on the fourth of March last, declared that, to
the extent Of his ability, be should take care ai
the Constitution itself expressly epjoined upon
him, that the laws of the Union should be faith
fully executed in all the States, and that the
power copfided to him would be used to hold
occupy and possess the property and places be-
longing to the Government, and collect the du-
ties and imposts; but beyond what might be ne
cessary for these objects, there would be no In
vssion, no using of force against or among tn
people anywhere. The President, 10 his proc
lamation of the fifteenth of April, calling 70
seventy. FIVE thousand volunteers, and convohiD,
an extraordinary session of Co gress, declares
that his purpose, in calling forth the militia o
the several States to the number above statd
was to suppress combinations against the e1ecu
ton OF the federal laws, too po~e'iul to b.
suppressed by the ordinary course OF judiola
proceedings, or by the powers vested in th'
mArshals by law, and to cause the laws to b.
duly executed. In subsequent proclamation
for additional troops, this fret proclamation i
referred to as containing the ground for th
future levy.
According to the Presidents official declara'
atlons, then, the object Of the present war, on th
part of the Federal Government, is simply th'
Execution of the Laws. The army under Gen
Scorr or any of his subordinate officers may b.
said to take the place of United States
Marshal with his posse eOmitatus, to effect ths
which cannot be done through the agency ofth'
latter, namely, the due execution Of. the laws
The military are not called out to snpersede
but to aid, the civil authority of the Govern
ment. i s1if t.s .st,.,
The execution Of the Laws is the primary ob
ject, but there are also involved in il the repos
sessing Of the federal property that has forci
bly, and fraudulently seized, the preservation o
the Union, the maintenance of the Federal Con
s.itution, the guarantee to each State Of q repub
lican form OF Government under its ConsIitu.
tion. and security to every laU-abiding citizen Il
the full enjoyment Of his personal and propert
rights. ~. '...@
Such are the ends aimed at in the present war
as set forth by President LINCOLN. Within thes
limits and for these purposes, the war will b
cheerfully and energetically sustained by th
great mass Of the American people.