Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-08-23

not, is not the question. The fact is the,
restoration of the UNION is an impossi-
bility. 1t is already destroyed, ana the
Constitution is besmeared with fraticidal
blood and Union founded on "the
mutual consent of the governed can
never again exist. If sufficiently pow
ertul and persistent, we may in the end
subjugate the South, doubtless, but will
that restore the American Union2 will
permanent peace and concord be the re-
suit? After such bloody contest as is
evidently before US, will the North be
ready to bind herself anew to restore fu-
gitives, and be, as heretofore, partner
in the guiltof slavery? Under the Con-
stitution we could do nothing less than
that, and even that the South will reject
with scorn until completely conquered.
The truth of the matter is, that the
only alternative left US are either com
plete separation of free and slave states
or the destruction Of slavery itself. 1t isl
the most idle matter in the world to talk
of any other course. We must choose
one Of the two, and the sooner we begin
to contemplate this fact, and consider all
its bearings and consequences the better.
Politicians are not ready to take the re-
sponsibilIty of discussing this question,
but the people must; and unless we
greatly mistake the signs of the times,
they are beginning to do it, pretty gener-
ally, since the battle at Bull Ran. Public
sentiment is changing almost as rapidly
since that great disaster as it did after
the fall of Fort Sumter. There is less
noise made on thesubject, bu! the current
is strong and deep, and is getting power
fully, if we mistake not, toward one of
these alternatives.
Never was a more momentous question
submitted to people. Emancipation or
separation? How tremendous the con-
sequences Of either! How vast the in
terests involved Il emancipation, what
a mighty change in the relation of master
and slaves, and what a revolution in the
social condition of the slave states If.
separation, what a complete change will
be made in American politics! Two
separate nationalities, in juxtaposition,
with totally antagonistic institutions
Despotism and freedom both permanently
organized on the Western continent, to
be as matter of certainty in unceasing
conflict.
But the time has now come when, how
ever unwilling, we must look both these
alternatives in the face We are losing
time, and are demoralizing the free states, .
by our delay in making up fully and
clearly our issue, either for separation or
With the decision Of this question, the .
Government, as such, has nothing to do.
Its appropriate duties are to sustain exis-
ting institutions and laws, in accordance
with constitutional provisions and legal
precedents. This our Government has
hitherto done, we think, to the very gen
eral acceptance Of the people Of the loyal
states; but it is clear that if any great or
ganic changes are to be made in the in
stitutions Of the country, the people must
indicate what those changes should be,
and express their sentiments so fully and
unanimously that the Government shall
be authorized and empowered to make
them. No greater change in the condi-
ton of great people was ever contem-
plated than that which the present eX-
igency forces upon US. The sooner we
examine our position, and decide upon
our future course, the better.