, 1861-12-26
SHALL WE HAVE A POLICY2

IL II 1Al CSkaUt4auE0 4AIC Ill JILL JAuAC4al |
tribunals that no litigation can be had
and determined by court or jury until an
issue, 50. called, Is fairly made up. There
must be not only q complaint OF cause Of
action set forth by the plaintiff on the one
side, but the defendant or opposite party
must answer it, and in answering meet the
very points presented, before trial can be
had, It will rot do to dodge or avoid the
question, if properly and filirly presented
on the other side, but at ou'llo per1ou OF |
other, earlier or Later in the history Of the
particular case, the whole controversy be-
tween the parties is reduced to single is |
sue, and then and not before, is the case
ready FOR hearing On the merits. How is
it in the present great contest between the
rebels and the Government?
We assert that the issue rendered by the
South las not been met, On the part Of the
rebels, the war is waged in defence ofan in
stitntion. It is carried On for the purpose Of
making the institution Of slavery dominant
in the nation, both as financial power
and political agency. Weknow that this
is denied by some pro-slavery men among
u.s. But look at the facts. Has the South
ever complained Of cur form Of govern
ment2 On the contrary, she has modelled
her OWL rebel government on the same
pattern. They hare their Presidents and
Secretaries, their Senate and House Of Rep
resentaives, their Governors and State
Legislatures, all the same as before the re-
be]lion. limo important particular is there
with them any distinction between the new
and the old, except in relation to the insti-
tuition Of slavery: The paramount object
with them is not, then, to change the gov
ernment-if it were, they would not fashion
another exactly like it-but it is to make
the great, controlling, overshadowing inte-
rest under the government, tue institution
of slavery. They say boldly that We shall
no longer have united nation un-
less slavery is made national Here
at the North we obstinately refuse
to meet the question they presented.
We raise armies and equip fleets to fight
them, but protest all the time that upon
the great question Of slavery We are ready
to acccde to all their demands The South
ern man fights for his divine institution
The Northern man fights foT q government
in which that institution is to be the CHIEF
corner stone. The conservatism of the
South is effective only in support OF slavery
The conservatism Of the North seeks tc
embrace both slavery and The Union. Il
ignores the experience Of the past and the
stern reality Of the present by those seeking
TO harmonic most diEcordant principles
The conservatism Of the South has plunged
insists upon pro1onging the war, to sub
serve the very interest that brougbtit it upo1
US. IN either section, conservatism Is bu
synonym for treason. II we prefer sla
very to the Onion, why expend go mucl
treasure, and sacrifice 60 much life in fight
ing the rebels? 1--we prefer the Union t
slavery, why hesitate to sustain the one b
crushing the others In other words. VIII
not meet the issue rendered Us by til
South? Let us do thst OF confess iudf
ment Such litigation as'we are carryin
on with the South does not pay 1t dot
not pay to expend s5oo, ,00o, 900, and sac,
fee some scores Of thousands Of ivt
without deciding something.
In this war the advantages Of earne
ness and candor and bold manly assertl'
Of the principles involved, are all with t
South. She has thrown down the gage
behalf Of slavery aud We have declined
take it up. We are fighting, it is true, |
ntthout goicy-or rather With tiiffere
and antagonistic policies according to
peculiar notions Of our Generals in co
mand. Is this the part Of wisdom a
prudepeef Why not make war upon II
which is making war upon the Unio
Why seek in waging war to defend a
preserve that which alone has brought
Wat upon usf We do hot claim to
prophets, yet We can see clearly that t
war must terminate in The overthrow Of
Union OF the overthrow Of sla7ery. c
servatisn with all its strength cannot 8
both. It nas hborcd for sixty years
conseTue southern rights, as it terms the
ject Of its worship, until it is suddenly {
fronted with civil war aud 4 matte
debt Of q thousand rnil}ions-and all
slavery. Expensive, luxurious conservat
--can nc afford it? We believe that
masses Of the people are ready for the q
ton: They are ready to fight On the i!
tsndercd by the rebels. But the Go7e1nn
lags and hesitates. Thg atmospher
:..Y1i*.