Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-15
Through War, to what!

Through War, to What!
We would not be good Christians we're our
prayer not pro pace, ''for peace" Not, of course,
peace at any price" which is spaniel cry, but
for an honorable and just peace. We would
not be man, either, were not to acknowl-
edge that, whatever the evils of war, they are
/ not the worst evils that happen to man. Still
more; il is not truer that peace hath her yicto-
ries," (it was the dera into whose mouth Milton
put it, "no less renowned than war" than that
war has its compensatOns and consultations no
less remarkable than peace. We read in the TO
mances Of the rough times of former ages, about
deeds of chivalry They occurred now and then,
no doubt. The spirit of Christian civilization
was at work then, and advanced characters
caught sight of its bearings, and acted upon
them.
But we doubt If any age has seen n nobler dis
plav of enthusiasm and self-sacrihce for 4 great
idea, than the last two weeks have witnessed in
this country. The flag of the United States has
been fired on. The Capital of the United States
has been threatened by the excited leaders of the
bogus Confederation of the South. What has
been the effect of these outrages? The people of
this country, who have been proclaimed as mere
dollar hunters, as incapable of any lofty senti-
ment, have risen up as one man to resent the in
suit, and TO atone for the wrong. Public institu-
tons, private citizens, men and women have come
forward offering millions for the defense of the
honor of their country. We are Just, and we will
not DENY that every section of the counEy-the
I South as well as the NOrth-has shown the same
spirit of sefsacrice, for what each believes to be
threatened honor. The intense energies OF this
country have thus developed of sudden, in a
direction very opposite to what superficial OBJ
servers have attributed to the people as their pre-
vailing passion.
And so the whole country stands now, arrayed
and arraying, on one side and on the other, a
ffOr, ,1fr fu hrrfx haiti
the object War War for what ? Surely
not for the sake of war What is sought for by
this war On the side of the South we forbeIr
to speak. From first to last-frOm the bolt in
the Democratic Convention at Charleston, last
April, down to the despicable act Of Jefferson
Davis and Major Beauregard in opening fire on
the United States flag in Charleston harbor, in
September-we have had but one sentiment, and
one expression, of condemnation and eIecration
for the cOnspirators who pretend to have set up,
over the heads Of the Southern people, and with
out consulting them, Revolutionary Confed
eracy.
But, for what is the North in arms Why is
il that all our Northern cities are turned into
military encampments, and that those who have
not enlisted, and are capable of bearing arms,
are but waiting the call for their services 1t is
highly important that there should be at once =
distinct understanding of this matter.
1t IS not to sustain a party, but to vindcate an
outraged country. 1t is not to uphold an Admin
istration, but the Government. Lincoln and his
surroundings are endured-no longer because
anybody cares for them-but because they are
temporary fixtures which not be abolished
without revolutionizing our Government. Largely
circulated papers which did their part to elect
Lincoln, may now, like the New York Daily
Times, call for "superseding" him by some mill
tary Dictator; but the call, though echoed in
chorus by other organs of that despicable party,
falls dead and finds no echo in the American
heart. We knew, and predicted, the un6tness OF
the nomination while he was candidate. The
majority of the people of the United States voted
against him, but the divisions of the majority per
mitted him to run in on a minority vote Now
he is fastened on the country for four years-toC
long, it is true-but still only moment in tn,
, life Of nation. We endure Lincoln and his sur
roundings, in order that we may sustain the Coz
ernment. Therefore we sustain tie call to arm
that turns peaceful country into one vast mil
itAry encampment.
What is sought in this war; Is it the subjugs
} ton Of any portion of the countryi The thing j
as impossible as the intention is atrocious. Is
to change any of the local institutions of any o
} the States? God forbid For the principle tina
gives value to the American system is its respec
for, and maintenance of, the right of Local Selt
D Government. This is for maintaining tn
existence of the country on the old and recognize
, basis. III we have forces IN Maryland II 10
: maintain the laws of Maryland and the constitu
tion of Maryland If we have forces in Virgini,
, it will be to uphold the people of Virginia in tn
s enjoyment of the constitution and laws of Viz
D ginia.
t 1t may be that passions are too excited to hec
these declarations. Perhaps the honest and tn
loyal in those States will persevere in considerin
4 this one of aggression on Southern inst
tutions. They may point to the hOwlngs of th
i Tribune as evidence that this is to be war @
: demOniscal violence, of confscation, of arson
!. robbery and devastation. Let remind Souther
a readers that those Of the Tribune school she
e nothing but ink in their contests, and seattle
$ nothing more powerful than evil words. TIL
: men that have gone from the North, with arm
d in their hands, the fighting men of the North
l. have never been the assailants of Southern inst
o tutions. They have shown their patriotic spir
o in their conduct all the way from Annapolis t
h Washington. 1t is not to interfere with tn
: South, but to prevent the shameful interference
: of the South with the government and goo
fame of the United States, that these brave an
d gallant men are in arms-NeD York Freeman
q Journal.