Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-08-21
Prescott, Wisconsin, August q, 1861.
The War.---POsition of Parties.


There arc very many people, of good
intelligence and undoubted patriotism,
who fail to apprehend the nature and
object of the present war, and so fail
to be in healthy sympathy with the Gov,
eminent in its great struggle to maintain
It's integrity.
They look upon the war as simply a
struggle for dominion, and knowing its
prodigous expense, reading Of its awful
tragedies, they feel that peace, even al
the expense of disruptured country
would be preferable. The trouble is
they do not realize the mighty import o.
the issue at stake.
This war is not waged to sustain the
present Administration-isn not waged tC
sustain the Chicago platform, or any
othor political dogma, but it is TO sustain
the very life Of our government. On its
issue depends the fate of constitutional
freedom on this continent. Let this re-
belion succeed and hereafter baIloting is
farce. The American people cannot
adord to let such precedent be estab-
lished.
This War is waged on the principle OF
expediency. 1t is the' ccepting of les
ser evil in order TO ward off a greater. -
We can better afford 20 submit to finan-
eial loss, to the death of many of our best
and bravest, than to have this rebellion
.uccessful, and submit to its attendant
train of consequences. Our armies are
fighting for the stability Of government,
for the security of property, for all that
makes the prosperity, the comfort. the
security of people. What if the pre-
sent sacrifice is great; the cogent reason
ing of Scripture comes in play, that it is
better that one member be cut off, than
that the whole body perish.
There are doubtless q few Northern
people who honestly believe that this
war is a crusade against slavery-a sort
OF abolition movement. 1t is plain thai
it is nothing Of the kind. On the part
of the Government, it has nothing to do
with slavery, as such. The war may
leave the institution of slavery compare
lively untouched and it may not. When
slavery stands in the way of the attain
nent Of successful issue to the war, it
will doubtless be brushed aside with as
little conjunction rs ship would be
sunk or fort destroyed to prevent their
being of service to tie enemy. While
the rebels are burning towns, destroying
railroads and confsicating the property
of Union men, it is not very probable
that the Government will jeopardize its
own interests, out of respect to the right
of property these same rebels have in
niggers.
Now three-fourils ofthe people in the
North who voted for Lincoln and Doug
las, agree precisely in sentiment as
regards this war. They deem it the
most pressing and important business on
hand, and want il thoroughly attended
to and speedily finished up. 1t is an issue
that dwarfs all others. Now important
elections are coming off this fall, and al
ready politicians arc at work to secure
prospective position and pelf. In the
present condition of affairs, that is about
as honorable business as playing poker
by the bedside Of dying parent for
what cash he has to leave. 1t looks now
rs ifparty nominations would generally
be made. Arc we going to make a new
fight on the memory of former ones p
The people will not stand such nonsense.
We should much prefer Union ticket in
this State, but it matters little by what
machinery candidates are brought for
ward, so they be loyal, honest and capa-
BE. The people will vote for Men, and
mol for party shibboleths. If we are to
have party nominations, it might as well
be understood that party discipline viii
be suspended till the war is over. 10y.
atty is the only test of political orthodoxy
now.
The ZOuaves.