The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-09-28
THE CURR. MI OF PUBLIC OPIN
ION

government against the rebels, and ol
avoiding the Slavery issue, as such. in
the contest; and this is yet the only
object for which the "powers that be-
can lawfully strive. But of late. ant
especially since the battle of Bull Run
there is an evident change in public
feeling on the subjec: of Slavery. as j
While no one. or at least none but /,
mere handful of rabid abolitionists
wishes for the war to assume the Sla
very issue as the leading feature or The
main end to attain, yet there is grow
ing desire.t to have the institution, hicl
is either the real cause of tie rebellion,
or the instrumentality used by ambi
tious demagogues to carry out their
treason, put out Of the way.
Several things have broush about
this change. Among them may be
named the fac! that Slaves are doing
most of tile labor on the entertainments
of the rebels, and are, therefore, un-
willingly made the instruments for
tightening the feIters upon themselves,
and of doing great injury to our cause.
as the labor they perform could hardly
be accomplished by the rebel soldiers,
most Of whom have never been accus-
toned to the use of implements of la
Dor. and could hardly make breast
works for themselves, or defensive bat
teries in which to post themselves for
our destruction.
Now, if the slaves are the cause or
the excuse for the war, and then must
be used as one OF the most effective
forces TO carry it on. our people begin
to think it is time We should strike at IL.
Besides, when the work of treason
first manifested itself, the people had
JUS: come out of heated political con-
test. and their party preju Ices still
elung closely to them. and they were
alarmed at every thing touching the
negro question. All parties were anx-
ious to keep the African "out of the
muss." as the phrase went; but now
that party feeling has. in a great mea-
sure. been sacrificed on the altar of the
country. less prejudiced and more
candid state of feeling begins to mani
fest itself, and men look at things as
they are moi as party interests had
endeavored to make them appear.
"lf." say they, "all this trouble is
caused by Slavery, why not strike at
the root Of the matter. and not be lop-
ping off the branches"
Hence the admirable proclamation of
Gen. Fremont. though it only touched
the slaves belonging to rebels, was
universally hailed as the very thing
needed, and the barbinser of better
day. Mems minds were already pre-
pared for such a step. and public senti-
ment was never more unanimous in It's
approval of any great act.
This proclamation takes The correc,
ground, the confscation of rebel pro-
perty-just what we advocated weeks
ago, and what should be done all over d
he Union. :,
Another step should now be taken, n
namely. refusal to return any fugitive v
slave. unless his master was known by !;
he best Of evidence to be true Union d
nan. We think the government has
'een to blame in returning so many
laves. not knowing TO whom they be- d
onged: and we have heard it said. iha, NJ
he very fugitives sent back have, in b.
many instances. been put to mork on re- M
a entertainments and torJfcations.- til
'hus the very men we should havei cs
berated have been made to work Flu
gainst us in the most telling manner. bt
his is certainly wrong. pa
We are not in favor Of war for any SC
urpose but the maintenance of the "a
as our readers know: and on
hat We have herein stated as the pre-. TO
ailing tendency of public opinion. is 81
erely matter Of fact and not an ex. an
'ession of our individual views, though di,
. have no objection 10 the people ma
mixing as they please: but we have Az
posed. and do now oppose the returns N
OF fugitive slaves to disloyal mas.
70 or those not known to be true to ]
country. Humanity aud policy Jas
III forbid such a course, and We ma
yht not TO sin against the slave aud be
inst ourselves by so doing. the
We trust the war will speedily come rail
termination. and that greater unity and
truer fraternal feelings exist be- harl
en- all parts Of the country than ever a &C