Smyrna times., 1861-08-22
Congress and the War.

war. Ii is contained in the resolution of Mr.
Critlenden. which were divided and voted upor
9Th the following result:
"l. Resolued. By the House of Represen.
taIives ofths United. That the present deplora
ole civil war has been forced upon the country
by the disunionisls of the Southern States now
10 revolt against the Constitutional Govern.
msnI, and in arms around the Ca.Ital.
80 ResOlUed. That in this national emer.
Seney Congress, banishing all feeling of mere
passion or resentment, will recollect only DUTY
60 the whole country that this war is not wa.
gsd upon our part in the spirit OF oppression.
nOf for any purpose of conquest or subiugs ton
OF ParpOse OF OverthrowIng or interfering with
the rights or established institutions of those
States; but 10 defend and maintain the suprem.
sey of the Constitution, and to preserve the
UnOn with all the dIgnIty. equality and rights
ofIhs several States uuimpaIred; and that as
seen as these objects are accomplished the wa r
ought 10 cease"
The first OF these resolutions was passed by
ere hundred and twenty-one ayes and two
aIyG. The second resolution was passed bv
oas hundred and seventeen ayes, and two nays
liy lheH almost unanimous adoption the re
solutions may be regarded as most unequivo
cal and explicit expression of the sentiment of
the House upon the subject.
II 10 doubtless true, as expressed in the frs,
resolution. that the cause of the present depIo.
rsbls civil war was the revolt Of the Southern
States. Had the work Of secession not been
started, there had been no occasion for the war
The seeeders assumed 10 themselves the rich,
to redress their own grievances in their own
W'y' and without any warrant Of law, and in
clear violation Of the Constitution Of the United
States. they separated themselves from the
Federal Union. in which they had long enioy.
90 the lmmunitles OF freedom guaranteed nv
var sacred instrument, and prospered in their
esaaee'lon with the other States. Their ,c.
ties was wholly unjustifable, and has resulted
10 trouble nd disaster to themselves. as we'll
90 10 the States that maintain their allegiance
10 the Federal Government.
Ass means OF redress of grievances the re-.
welt OF the seeding States is a failure. After
all that can be accomplished by their secession
and the civil war that has ensued. thew csn
oo'aln Lothing more than what they claim as
their rights. whether it be in or out Of The
Union, and that claim might have been satisf.
% much better in the Union than ont Of !,
watch certa My would have been the case "a
'Aey had the majority of both houses Of Con.
gfess IN their favor. But they preferred seces.
sen ana civil war. add have greatly dame CAD
themselves 10 the damage they have done in
Tue loyal States, by their revolt and its conse.
qaenees. No one denies that the seeding
States had rights in the Union which III az
could and did claim equally with the other
States, and when those rights were invad ID
the Constitution was at hand TO have adi,s,ad
any difficulties that might have been produced
0y The irregular or invasive action of anv of
The other States. In the Union and under the
constitution was the place to have entered the
coolest, AID without bloodshed the battle ruio h,
nave been fought and the right rendered tri-
OmPhanf' aud the result satisfactory to all.
~no is while the war is raging and the
e"ile fields of the secessionis,s stained with
we blood Of Amercan Citizens. that the F.dor-
"Cengfess declares that the war is no. wagcd
% he part Of the Federal Government in INV
spirit Of oppression, nor for any purpose OF con.
Sues' % subjugation, nor 10 overthrow. nor IN
interfere with the rights or established ins,,,,.
"0n' OF the other States, but to defend ard
:, ~'''""ln the Constitution and preserve the
on'0"' with the dignity, equality and rights Of
the several States.
we receive this act Of Congress solenD
''''auOn That the institution of slavery is in
way 70 De Interierod with, nor the RIGHTS
"e south IN relation to it at all disturbed
sue 'eeisfation is clear and explicit. I, c,,.
1O' se misunderstood, and ought 10 he s,,;st.o
:" 'nOse who have complained of such in.
reference. '''
"ue 'nst portion of the press a,ser,s
1aas tae national troubles have been occo.io,od
" me opposition of a certain party u Tho
sutntion Ofslsvery; and it has been ssse,,od :.
'Ae most offensive manner, that it is the orde,
OF Divine Providence that slavery should bo
ssoliahcd, and that the present ADVANTAGE. ~
TIE party are not to be sacrificed, but used in
'ne further attainment of the object. RI, :,
must be remembered that the party and The
F'eas thus disposed are not the Governmen,
"u mat they are not officially Responsible for
N"sss 'nnsmaiory efforts. That thew are bsId
moral accountability, there can no No
O0Oo'' and a fearful moral retribot,oO mas
iva" them; but in no manner wbs,evsr g.
congress or the Government be called %
.'e'aH' tor their sct'. especially when SO plain.
.no po'Hledly dlsayewed.
ana she sentiment of Congress. as eYn,ss.od
10 'aesresolaiions,sis fsll ysemdor,ed nv ~. -,
y = Tue Government, especially BY those of ,hs'
osere'sry Of War "a kiszlste circhlsr Trho.o
: aS' me remotest idea suggested in the !. :.
e@ ' q interfering with slavery but Il, 49,,
= i' clearly expressed and the 'rigbr.' 80
'Sss owner acknowledged. ,s,' "a = ' IT,
uaa d i ssla icasiI ,.sa nas ~ 81
Hfia sAhht ae 8