The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-06-26
TEEH sPIRTr oE,
The Object Of the War.

The present war is not merely wer
for 1.-THE Union," it is more than this, it
Is wur for the CONSTITUTION the
Constitution as. the basis and security of
the Union; for the Constitution as the
solemnly declared will of the sovereign
people. which the minority are bound to
obey in the letter and in the spirit also.
It is for the Constitution as it is, for the
Constitution as a whole aud in all it's
parts, that we fight. Aud this is why
there has been such unanimity of senti-
ment, such universal and jealous re-
sponse to the Presidents call upon the
States for troops. This response to the
call Of Mr.. Lincoln, was with the under.
standing that the war was to be confined
to this object, the maintenance of the
Constitution. Which embraces, Of course,
the preservation of the Union and the
eneorceme Mt of the laws. And whosoever
would use his arms for any other object,
is not q patriot. At best he is but par
tisah. We fight as much for the rights
Of the seeding States as we do for the
rights Of the people in the loyal States,
and one OF those rights unquestionably
10 the enjoyment of their own State OF
local institutions. With the institution
Of slavery, or any other institution, where
1t Is established by loesllav, this war has
nothing to do. At least such is the sem
timent Of three .fourths of the men who
have gone forth to do battle upon the
!, regulation of the President.
They have gone forth to aght for the
Union. under the banner OF the Constitu.
iion, with all its guarantees as we'll as re-
quirements, and he who seeks to divert
the war from anything but this. its legiti-
mate object. is as much traitor to his
country as the man that marches to bat
tie under the Secession flag.
Joshua r. Giddings, q man holding
high Official position under the present
administration. says. in . letter to the
New York Tribune. that CHOSE who ar.
rest. and send back fugitive slaves. iden,
tify themselves with the enemies of our
Government, and Should be indicted and
Dunishsd as traitors" The New York
Tribune iudorses and approves this trea-
sonable doctrine, and intimatss that this
will be, when the proper time arrives, the
policy Of the present administration. The
New York Tribune ia in high favor with
the administration, (for as has been fire.
quently said. several of its employees have
been appointed to office, and none have
yolunteered,) and we may reasonably in
Ter from this, that such policy as this
may be attempted to be carried out, al
some futare time. by those in power.
The consequence of The administration
pursuing the policy indicated by the Tri-
bune, and as laid down by Giddings,
would indeed be most disastrous to the
country. The administration would lose
! she support Of ell conservative men of the
North. and following in its train would be
the Northern army demoralized, and per
haps to great extent disbsnded. On
the other hand. if Mr.. Lincoln and his
advisers pursue the opposite policy, and
the one to which the administration Is
solemnly pledged. he will lose, to great
extent. the courtenance and support ol
the radical Abolition party. Il
Whether the Aboli.ionists will prevail
over the more conservative wing of the
party in establishing their uuconstitution,
al dogmas. time only will determine. In
the mean time. it should be the policy o!
that party whose doctrines have ever
been based on the Constitution, to ope
. pose. in solid phalanx. any and every such
ensroachment on the rights of the citi-
zens Of the United States