The Placer herald., 1861-11-30
The Union as it was.-Can it be Restored?


Press, and free discussion, are among the
uoblest of its Constitutional guarantees, the
progress of public sentiment can never be
long restrained.
"Skepticisln," It's said "lies at the foun
tain of all knowledge" and wherever the
people are not restraiued; or wherever they
possess the Constitutional powers to discuss
freely their skep|ical opinions Of public pol
icy, the powers of Government, or the
management of public affairs there, will the
change of public sentiment be most rapid.
Instead of mourning over what seems the
ickleness OF man, as unreasonable, we
should rejoice IN the free use OF his reason
knowing that the doubts of to day, will
lead to Investigations and inquiries, which
will end only in the advancement of the
real welfare and substantial progress of the
race. TO day there are efforts iunumerabie
to prove that "we are fighting, and are will
ING to continue the war, exhaustng the en-
ergv and wealth Of the nation to maintain
the Government Of the Union, and its Con
stitution." Such appears the feeling in the
Northern States in relation to our present
struggle. But if this sentiment be now sin
cere, will it continue and will it control the
nation when the nation becomes weary of
the conflict end willing to respond to reas-
enable overtures for the restoration of peace
and The Union, We doubt it. "The m We,
ment now naucurated will not cease" there
will be no retracng the steps now taken,
and pUblic opinion will not lag behind the
movement but will assuredy govern the
Government, control the armies, and finally
dictate whatever terms of reconciliation
NAV be agreed upon.
Even now, while the administration is
using its shrewdest diplomacy to convince the
nations that we are sincerely aud honestly
az war to maintain the Constitution; would
northern republican opinion be satisfied
without fundamental changes IN that Con-
Stitution? Northern opinion would ask
| Constitutional guarntees against future rebel
lion. Ii there be a constitutional right ot
secession, snch immnently must be removed
by direct concession on the part OF the
States. change Of the Constitution,
to the extent it strengthened and protected
the Government Of the Union, would cur
tail the power of the States; vet such is
the current sentiment.
Here there would be an assault on the or
ganic lava change procured by force,
for il would be hopeless TO submit for peace
able ratification, an amendment DENYING
| that, which is SO euphal callv claimed by
the States now in rebellion. 1t is admitted
that the President may, or (by some) that
he has lranscended the executive powers of
his office but with an earnest desire to pro-
tect and perpetuate the Union and the Cou'
stitution, and thus far, no doubt exists, that
It's in accordance with popular opinion. The
necessity which in such times, compels the
resort to unusual, if no. illegal and unconsii-
tutiona measures, it is claimed, will abund
antly justify the constitutional enlargement
of executive powers But however great
such an alteration, lis insignificant when
compared with what truly appears the dom
inent dcsire-the ajority ruling exacton.
1t cannot be doubted that the doctrine OF
mo compromise" which followed fast upon
''have we Government" i intended to Sc
cure in behalf Of northern conviction, tie
terms OF Reunion when to the South, shah
come the time of 'crushing"
That conviction will be hard to conciliate
without ample provision for the abolition Of
.Slage,y in all tie States and Territories
This sentiment is deeply implanted in the
masses OF the ruling, or administration par
ty. Nor are the great men Of other parties
entirely free from the conviction that, ibis
war is one which must emanci pate the slave,
or permanently disrupt the Union Genl.
Cass Is reported TO have said to President
Fairchild, Of lIiIsdae College, Michigan,
that though he bad always been heretofore
opposed to abolition yet this was now the
only way to successfully aud permanently
end the contest. Without abolition, if We
had peace today, we should have war to
morrow" Everett, | ickinson, Butler, Fill.
more, and many Others, entertain the same
views; from all which we feel convinced that
no restoration of the "Union as it was" can
be effected with the consent of the Northern
mind, except the abolition of slavery be pro
yided for Here is another and if possible
more serious assault upon the "hallowed
constitution" for which the diplomacy and
power of the government is paraded to. TIE
world Such are the real sentiments Of those
f who cry mo compromise" fight it out once
for all ""let US preserve the glorious work OF
our inspired, patriotfathers, &c They
would not if they could, and they coad not
if they would reinsate the Union as it
, was"
Slavery in the Southern States, with the
adjudcated rights Of the institution in the
Territories, is in fact the cause of this most
terrible conflict. How then can popular
opinion agree to the reunion without eradl-
eating the prominent evl?" Shall the
wealth and power of the nation be expended