, 1861-12-18

Il there be any one thing on which the
people are unanimous, it is their desire 10
see the war vigorously prosecuted; and If
there be any one t1ling on which the Ad-
miuistration and its generals appear to
be in unison, it is in their purpose to wage
the war SO languitlly that slavery
may not be hurt. If the people believed
that the present torpid policy is to
chsracte-ize the remainder Of the war,
they would tall into the jaws Of
dispair, and ssk the Government to disband
the army and submit to the dislncmbcr-
ment of the Union. But they live from
{iay to day in hope that q more energetic
and effective policy may be adopted. The
1coplc are in downright earnest; they
have pulled of their coats with the inten-
ton Of thrashfag the traitors in
tho shortest possible space of time
The have voluntarily presented the
Government with six hundred thous-
and soldiers, and placed their fortunes
at its disposal and they call on their rulers
to apply these gigsntc means in the most
efficient manner: The people point to the |
eight months Of time that have elapsed |
since the war broke out: TO the three hun |
dred millions Of money that have already |
been expended, and to the half million Of
brave and loyal armed men standing st the
borders Of Secessia impatient for pernlis-
sion to advance against the rebels, and ask
why nothing is being done? There IS q
cause for this frightfl inertia; for this
holding back, and the truth may as well be
told, as no useful end can be gained by
concealments from the people. The men
entrusted with the management Of public
affairs, are afraid to prosecute the war with
the terrible efficiency and brer1ty with
which it might be conducted, lest the
system of American Slavery may he
be destroyed. and several millions Of bond
men be made free. # the army adyances
into Secessia the slaves will rush to our
lines aud claim. the protection Of our flag,
and the Government would be compelled
to cn1ancipate tscm, for the whole North
would revolt if it undertook to hold
them as slaves, The problem then to
he solved is, how to put down tie re-
hellion Of the shareholders, and at
the same time, to preserve the $50
cred" system Of human bondage. The
rebels meanwhile enjoy protective tol-
Grafton which is working the ruin Of
the nation Our generals are not ordered
10 hur1 the tAunderbolts Of war at the head
Of rebellion, for the blows might wound
ana peradyenture, slay slavery, but are
permitted to deal gently with it, which
most Of them are delighted to do,
as their hearts are not in the contest; +;
not that they love the Union
little but that they lore the divine institu-
tion'' more. What shall be done with the
slaves is therefore the perp1exing question
with the Administration. Tic advance Of
our army into South Carolina would com.
pei the immediate graphing with the prob
lem, and force speedy solution, for multi
tudcs Of slaves would rush under the wing:
Of the American eagle, and prscrasti
nation could no longer be practiced.
The troops are therefore held back ami
the nation is robbed Of the fruits Of tn
capture Of Beaufort. The victory at Hat
teras has turned to ashes because, to hay
debaIke0 troops on the main land an
marched them into the State, Woul
have overturned slavery in North Care
lima. A vigorous movement dow
the Mississippi would place our sol
diers in the midst Of the densely slav
populated portion Of Tennessee, and I'll
old question, how to avoid emancipation
would press importunately for an answer
Hence, nothing is done, because it is nc
within The limits Of human wisdom to d.
wise scheme Whereby this Shareholder
rebellion can be quelled and the cause
it preserved. Providence has decreed th;
such shall not be done. Either the Union {
slavery must perish, is the mandate
heaven, and this Government must max
its election which shall survive the Wa
Will our rulers awake to q rcalizin
sense Of the nations terrible peril, and CO.
duct the war with q sole eye to the Pr
servation Of the Union-letting slave
take care Of itself? Or VII they contin1
10 cngross themselves with the safety al
perpctuity Of the practice Of bondage I'M
The great Republic, freedoms asylum, al
the worlds hope, tumbles into ruins?
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