Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-29

the part Of the majority in both Houses of
a truly romantic cast The acts and the mo-
tives Of the Government, in the suppression
Of the insuirection, tadmitted by one of its
most distinguished chiefs to proceed mainly
from the disappointment Of leading aspi-
rants 10 Office, have been assailed from day
to day with virulence and persistence
which would be harmless in time Of peace,
but which in time of war can have no other
effect upon the popular mind, than to per-
plex and dishearten those who are stalking
life and fortune In the cause of the country.
This generosity excites no gratitude on the
part Of those towards whom it is practiced
and so far from being reciprocated, the mem
Der of the Confederate Congress at Mont
gomery or Richmond, who should assail the
conduct or policy of that body, as the Gov
ernment of the United States has been as
sailed by the sympathizes with secession at
Washington, would not reach his hotel in
safety. He would swing from the next lamp
post. c- e.
Not merely is all freedom of speech and
ofthe Press prohibited in the seeding States,
but the most quiet and the humblest rights
of citizenship are interdicted. When the
Ordinance of Secession was about to be sub
mitted to the vote of the people of Virgin
ia, distinguished Senator of that State in
Congress, and who in that capacity was un-
der oath to support the Constitution of the
United States, published letter, signed
with his name, in which he declared that
such citizens of Virginia as did not approve
the ordinance must leave the State a sum
mary sentence of banishment and confsca-
ton against about third part of the peo-
pie Of that ancient Commonwealth SEN
tence which the seeding majority are now
attempting to enforce ut the point Of the
bayonct, to illustrate the principle that ''the
| right of government rests upon the consent
of the goverened." .r..H. fr
The necessity which in time of war, par
tally suslends the operation of the laws,
transfers the governing power to the mill
tary authority, not absolutely and without
conditions; far from it !; but under the lini-
tations of the Constitution, and of the law:
enacted to meet such state of things. The
power which existed in the Roman Repub
lie of creating Dictator, in seasons of im.
minent danger, who was clothed with abso
lutte authority for limited period-a power
which was substantially, though not avOw
edly assumed by Congress in the revolution
ary war--is unknown to the Constitution
aud it is to be devoutly hoped will never be
called into exercise by perils too formidable
to be otherwise averted.
For all the ordinary purposes of war, the
President of the United States is clothed witt
the requisite power as Commander in Chic
of the Army 7of, the United States, and O
the militia of the United States, when call
ed into active service" The laws of the
land provide the means for exercising the
great powers which he possesses in thi
character. The present is not the first oc
casion in which they have been called into
action The proclamation of the Presiden
calling for seventy-fve thousand volunteers
although not issued till the war had actual,
commenced by the reduction OF Fort Sumter
by the general armament Of the South, witt
ordinance and munitions REASONABLY prepar
ed beforehand by the sworn officers Of tn
United States, and by an official threat of
movement on Washington, has been dc
nouuccd by President Davis as an unprovok
cd measure, whose magnitude transcend, al
constitutional limits and can aim only u
: the ''subjugation' Of the South. At tim
: when the population Of the United State
did not exceed four mil half millions
Gen. Washington called out fifteen thous
and troops to supp!ess an insurrection in tn
Western counties Of Pennsylvania. Ou
population is now thirty millions, and tn
: insurrection has assumed the Dimensions q
I a civil war. 7heonly REASONABLE objection L
the Military prefsarations, of the Unite,
States is, that they did not at once procee
on that gigantic scale, which ictsdom an,
humanity alike dictate, as the only means 9
bringing the i,asspicious conflict to a speed
close. To let it drag on. by inadequat
means is to proiong the sufIerings which
inhicts on both parts OF the Union; to pro
al