The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-12-18
For the Grand Haven News.
SLAVERY THE CAUSE OF THE
WAR!


same declaration, a resolution Of Congress,
and only negatived by twenty votes, it is
time for every lover of his country TO
raise his voice against it. If slavery is the
cause of the war, as alleged by the abol-
tionists, is it necessary TO abolish slavery
TO put down this rebellionl We think
not. If it were necessary to remove the
cause in all cases where tho effect is dis
astrous, it would produce a great change
in the world. We will give few instan-
ces that would have altered events mate
rally.
Take the history Of the religious wars.
That has been the most destructive to hui
man life, and has caused more persecution
and human misery than all other wars
combined. Time has shown that it was
not necessary to abolish all or any Of the
forms Of worship to end those wars But
it was necessary to get rid of their tanat-
icisn,, and subdue that vindctive and sa-
tanic spirit that had control of them, and
cultivate more friendly and christian
spirit.
Read the disasters and frightful NOR
tally attending our vessels and steamers.
Would it be good policy to do away with
the cause of this destruction Of life and
propcrtyl We think that it would not.
The benefit that we derive from naviga-
ton more than counter-balances the loss
that we sustain. We are all aware Of
the misery and degradation the use of
intoxicating liquors have produced in this
world. If we remove the first cause we
should have to deprive ourselves Of the
necessaries of life for it is made from the
grain and vegetables that we live Oh.
Now, an aboltionist is not so thick
headed that he could not devise other
means for getting rid of this great evil
means that would add to our prosperity
and elevate our morals, instead of being
the cause of our destruction. He would
say all that is necessary for us to do void
be to obey one of Gods commands, " Love
the Lord with all your heart, and your
ncighbor as yourself" 1t is difficult for
a man TO see his own danger and degra-
dation that attend the indulgence Of evil
habits, but very easy for him too see it in
Others. If we loved our neighbor as our
selves, and God with all our heart, we
would set them an example that would be
to their interest and add to their happi-
ness to follow. Or he could say-but
would he!-that in forming this govern
ment we reserved the right as States to
form and regulate our laws and institu-
tions to suit ourselves, provided that they
do not conflict with the laws and consti-
tuition Of the United States, and we can
stop the sale and manufacture of it in
our own State. But he would not tell
YOU, without fear of contradiction, that
the government Of the United States
could prohibit the sale and manufacture
Of it in any of the States, for it is in the
bond that formed this Union that it
should become the duty of the U. S. gov
eminent TO protect the property of the sew
eral States, not to destroy it.
If thief steal your purse, in that act he
becomes liable to the laws which he has
broken, and he must be punished. Now,
TO avoid similar trespass, will you dc
{ away with the cause of the trespass! We
think not. You would rather run the
, risk of being robbed again than to be de-
prived Of everything that you could cal
your own.
, If the abolitionists wish to know the
cause of this war, in order to do away
with it, we would in the first place say &c
them, man, know thyselfl But few
years ago, any one of middle age will rec
{ ollect the time, when we knew no distinc
I ton betwixt the North and South, it wa;
sufficient to know that you were cit
zen Of the United States to cntitle yor
t TO the Inequalities Of your countrymcn, j
I you were travelling among them, or if you
were in foreign land and met country.
! man, you hailed him cordially as broth
5 or. There was no church North, nor nc
church South. 1t was all one church
The only distinction was merely in the
. denomination of churches. Then il was
believed that man could be christian
and own slaves. Those of us who paid
anv attention To the transactions of the