Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-06
Peace or War.

1t is in vain, says the Boston Courier, to shut
our eyes or close our ears TO the accumulating
evidence all around US that the issue of peace or
war is inevitably forced upon the country in the
event of the failure at Washington of the pro
posed conciliatory measures.
There can be no other alternative. Where can
be found a friendly umpire to whose decision the
momentous questions of the day can be sub
mitted? Who can answer the question?
1t becomes us to look at this matter seriously,
and to prepare ourselves for an emergency which
seems only too near at hand.
Six of our sister States have, by formal votes
of conventions of their people, declared them
selves no longer members of our confederacy.
Others are preparing to take the same steps.
Well, what are we to do2 To decIaee war upon
them-subdue, conquer theml And then what
shall we have gained? Will they return and be-
come worthy and obedient members of the origi-
nal family again? Never But would you not col
lect your revenue in those seeded States? Would
you not keep possession of and defend your forts
and arsenals? These questions are constantly
put by every excited Republican upon the street.
We answer that, as to the revenue, it is impos-
sible to collect it except by the aid of public Off
GERS, which do not and can not, in the very nature
of the case, exist Wecan not have Collector.
Attorney, Judge Marshal within either of the
seeded States If we had the officers, what
would we do for jury? All cases must be tried
by jury of the State where the offense is COM
mitted. So our Republican friends will see the
utteH impos=ibility of collecting in those
States.
AS to the forts, if we defend them, will any
body tell us the object? They were built ex
pressly for the purpose of defending the harbors
where they happen to be located. They were not
built to attack, but to defend, the towns and
cities and country on our coast. We do not want
to defend Charleston, nor Mobile, nor New Or
leans now But then it is said we might blockade
these ports. For what purposeG Why, to sub
due, to conquer the people. But do we desire, as
we have said before a conquered people to unite
with us to form a Republic!
Look at this question in any aspect in which it
presents itself, and it is as certain any moral
proposition which can be stated that nothing can
be gained by war.
Suppose it is decided in Mr.. Lincolns Cabinet
Council that the revenue shall be forcibly col
lected-ths is what his jealous followers say will
be attemptei-suppose, in any such attempt
there should be bloodshed and murder, what
would be the necessary consequence? The Pres
ident would call on the military for aid. But he
would not be so unreasonable as to ask the South
ern militia to assist him. He would 20 to the
North for his soldiers. Now, which one of the
whole Massachusetts roll of soldiers would love
to 90 down to Charleston or Savannah Mobile ol
New Orleans and try his hand at shooting his
white brethren at the South? We would
like to see the man, let him be Sc
he has passed Governor ANDREWS military cate
clism with the best appreciation. We have
the highest opinion of the courage and the pat
riotism of our soldiers. But we have also yer,
high opinion of their intelligence. Our soldier
will fight, but they must first know what the,
fight for, and whom they are to conquer. Their
is wonderful difference between fighting In
dians, Mexicans, and British red-coats, which
from boyhood, they have been taught were thei
natural enemies, and fighting their own country
men, their friends, brothers, cousins, and all man
ner ofblood relations. Besides, our soldiers vii
not fight solely for pay and rations, like Captain
DuGALD DALGErrY. They must know that the.
fight in righteous cause.
Well. what has the South done to us that W
should volunteer to go down on her coast AM
kill her citizens? All, that's the question ever,
Yankee boy that every repeated the Lord
Prayer when his mother put him to bed will asl
himself before he levels his musket. with deadl.
aim, at a Southern brother. What has the South
ern man done that l should kill him in cold blood
This question will trouble other minds as mucl
as the soldiers. What has the South done to u
of the North that we should murder them. Bu
we will not believe in the existence OF such mad
ness as would precipitate US into war.