The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-31
who are to Blame .

There are few individuals who are constantly
reiterating the charge that the republicans
have brought this war upon the country, and are
therefore to be held responsible for all the evils
consequent upon its existence. Lest silence on
our part should be construed into asserting to
this damnable falsehood, We propose to state in
plain terms our views of the cause of the war.
In the first place the evidence is abundant and
positive that this conspiracy against our govern
ment has existed since the days Of John c. CAL
houn, and that the conspirators have been seek
ing by every possible pretext to carry out their
long settled and thoroughly arranged plot.
In the second place We have the plain and di-
rect statements of such men as Alexander Il.
Stevens, Vice President of the Southern Conied-
eracy, that the war against our government is
waged, on the part OF the consprators against
the principles upon which it is founded,-an
that they seek to establish better form of goT-
eminent upon its runs-one that is congeuial to
their tastes and founded upon principles in Which
they believe.
Here then We have band of traitors who
oar government. Now by what means have
they succeeded in inaugurating disunion? Is
there sane man who does not know that it was
done through the administration of james Bu-
chanan? DO you not know that it was through
the imbeciity Of the late President and the
treachery of his Cabinet that the work of trea-
son was effected? Such is the open acknowledge
ment of the traitors themsevcs-yet in the face
of these facts there are those who have the bra
zen efirOntery TO charge this rebellion upon re.
pubcans! We say to such men, wash yourselves
from your own completely with rebellion before
you charge as with its guilt
But it will be noticed that the men who are the
noisiest in their abuse of republicans those
who have been known Buchanan Democrats
men who have endorsed the treacherous and
guilty acts of his administration, and at heart
traitors. Witness their open Civilizations at the
defeat of our army, and the JOY with which they
hail every little success which may be gained by
traitors!
But it is said We are the cause OF the war be-
cause We refused TO compromise az the last ses-
zion of Congress. Ii compromise would save US
from civil war, why did not our accusers perform
that work at the Charleston Convention Why
did they then and there reject the terms Of ad.
justment whicl were offered by the rebelss-
Why, too, after rejecting these terms when they
fully understood, as obey pretend, the conse-
quence of such rejection, t." they blame as for
rot adopting the same terms afterwards. when
the rebels distinctly and empha,icaliy refused to
accept them rs basis Of settlement
When the Congress met 10 December asst, civ
il war had been iuauGu5ated, and the traitors
distinctly avOwed that sgey would accept ga
terms short OF an acknoa .e. igesucnt OF their in
dependence, while the border States based al
their proposed terms of compromise upon the
condition that We should let the seeded States
alone, permitting them to depart in peace.
How absurd then are the charges made against
the republicans, To the credit OF democrats be
it said that none of them make these charges
except those who are at heart traitors, or who
prefer party success to the good of their country
and at the cost of truth.