Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-07-03
Elder Jones on the War.


Union was dissolved beyond the possibility
of reconstruction. The ritter believed
this was true; he had already felt and said
as much. knowing the principles upon
which the Republican party was formed,
principles of hostility to the South, as
shown by the words Of Mr., Seward pre-
yious to the election Of Mr.. Buchanan, viz
al glory that weare sectional party; the
North arsayed against the South; it is the
first crack in the Union; you will hear ii
rip all the way through,'') he predicted
years ago that whenever Republican was
elected to the Presidency dissolution Of
the Union would inevitably follow.
Nc one, however, could deprecate such
an event more deeply than the writer;
better had it been, in his judgment, that
any of the extremists should carry out
their plans in the Union than that the
Union should be oyertnrown. To-day the
Northern people would have been much
better off had they yielded to the South
everything they demanded and preserved
the Union than they are now, with a
worthless currency and civil war upon
hands. So it would have been better, in
finitely better, for the South to have sub
United to all the injuries, real and imag-
mary, which they may have received or
might receive hereafter from the North, in
the Union, than to withdraw from it In the
rash manner they have done, even should
they succeed in maintaining their separate
independence.
But the Inauguration of civil war seems
to have changed the opinion of the editor,
and he appears to think that the Union is
not yet dissolved and that it cannot and
viii not be. No one under the broad can
opy Of heaven more sincerely desires that
this may be so than the writer. War is a
calamity always to be dreaded, especially
civil war; and the writer had thought a
peaceoble separation of the South from the
North would be preferable to such war,
when its results would be so uncertain.
But if there is anything like reasonable
probability that the Union can be preserved
"the end will justify the MEANS"
The writer, with thousands Of other
Northern Democrats, has believed that the
South had some reason to complain; but
the reckless character and conduct of some
of their principal leaders, their unlawful
seizure Of forts, arsenals, and vessels; their
wanton destruction of federal and private
property; their cruel mur.er and brutal
treatment of Unionists and Northern peo-
pie who may chance TO be among them,
have destroyed all sympathy with them
and good feeling for them, and we are
ready to unite with the Republicans to put
down the secessionists. TO be sure, it is a
bitter pill TO join with those who have had
much to do in bringing on our present
difficulties, in order to save the Union, es-
pecialy when they show so much apathy
in sustaining their own ADMINISTRATION, only
one out Of six existing. Bitter as it is,
however, we are swallowing it; but if we
should make some wry faces over the dose,
and hard speeches, too, with the mental or
expressed reservation that swell settle with
you when we have disposed Of the South,
you need not wonder.
Yes, friend Cover, we are swallowing
the pill, as is well attested by the fact that
Mr.. Lincoln's most efficient supporters are
Democratic statesmen and Democratic sol
diers. And yet, some Republicans are I'M
generous enough to charge us with want
Of patriotism and devotion to the country
Let it, however, be distinctly understood
that true Democrats have no fellowship
with the disunionists Of the North or the
secessionists Of the South.
We have reason torejoice at the prompt
ness of the response to the Presidents
proclamation throughout the free States
but let us not deceive ourselves; for, even
with united North, it will be no small
matter to subdue the South, A battle at
Acquia Creek, another at Fairfax, another
at Harper's Ferry, another at Richmond,
and still another at Norfolk, should the
federal troops be entirely successful, will by
no means decide tue contest, And should
we have bloody war of several years
continuance, expend thousand millions in
treasure. loose nearly million of soldiers,
bring general bankruptcy upon the whole
country, and then have secession still, the
writer will not be much surprised. AT the
same time we will hope and pray for better
things.
1t is with great satisfaction that the
writer has discovered the determination on
the part Of the Secretary Of War and
Lieut.. Gen. Scott, not to resort to any dis
honorable means to secure success TO tho
federal troops. There may be instances in
which it is proper to eight Indians as In
dams fight but it is to be hoped that no
attempts will be made to stir up servIle IN
SURF ctions in the South; the horrors lnev
table connected with such events woulc
forever disgrace a civilized nation
Whether we are successful or unsuccessful
it will certainly be consolation at the end
of the campaign to know that on our par
the war has been an honorable one.
There are some Republicans who wisf
| the campaign so conducted as to put al
end to slavery throughout the country
Others desire to see the whites in th'
South exterminated and Negro Re
public established upon their soil. AL
such, we trust, will be disappointed. Thos'
upon whom the nation depends in this crl
/ - hoth IN the councils and in the field