Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-08-22

be "Republicana" (O-whose aim and purpose
IL 10 (f within their power), to effect the aboi-
ton and determination Of negro slavery, In the
States where il now exists, and did--when the
Constitution, and the immunity which is there
by guaranteed, was established by law;
and to make the Government the war, and the
citizens OF the loyal, az we'll az the disturbed,
states, parties TO, and the instruments and
means OF efectiDg that unconstitutional and un-
lawful purpose. IL is too plain to require dis.
cussfon or to admit OF debate, that the purpose,
ABOVE mentioned, 10 In direct conflict with the
constitution and the National Union, which that
instrument was intended to secure and perpetu-
ate, OF and between the people of the United
Statesj and 1t is equally true that Il is also In
consistent with the declared and lawful purpose
OF the Government, namely, TO suppress sed-
tlous combinations and rebellion against the Con-
stitution and laws. Adhesion and support there.
lore to that purpose, and action in accordance
with 1t, is not fidelity, but iDHdelity to the
Constitution, the Union, and the people, who
are as much bound by duty as they are concern
ed in interest TO preserve the ConstitutionaI
linton, In It's integrity and spirit-as the
security Of their Liberty and the fuldllment
Of their pledged faith. On the other hand, it
10 true, that, whatever may have been the popu.
lar sentiment and feeling, on that subject, as
distinguished from the leaders of the revolt, in
the earlier stages OF the present unhappy dis
turbances-the Impression, or apprehension, is
now universal, or nearly so, among the people
Of the seeded States, that II is the purpose Of
the people of the North, and Of the Government
under the pressure Of popular excitement and
passion-stimulsted, as they believe, and as the
facts indicate, by political and religious fanau.
cism-to subjugate the South (the slave holding
States), and with them, their domestic, social
and local institutions. Whether this 10 really
the purpose Of the Northern people, generally,
or not, the 0eN, as stated, upon the minds Of
Southern people, is now, undoubtedly real, and
has been, within those States, an efficient and
very potent cause OF the general disruption of
national fraternity and harmony, and Of the ex
isting civil war. If this apprehension, in re-
spect to the Northern people, or of the major
part Of them, who are or may be, in heart or
interest, faithful to the Constitution, to law,
and to their duty-(to their "neighbor," their
"brethren," and themselves) lis unfounded. In
fact, the plainest dictates Of humanity and nat
ural law, the precepts and spirit of Christianity
and the safety and well doing and well being Of
all the American people, the nation, demand
that the mlsapprehension, 80 serious and dis
TessiDg in its consequences, shall be, In epirit
OF justice and mercy, corrected and removed
from at least, the minds of the people who are
affected by II, and the way opened, or left open,
to paci6cation or, at least, q MITIGATION OF the
present bloody conflict. ...,.
To the fulfllment, in good faith, Of that
pledge, Of the mutual concessions and compro
mises Of the national compact,-we, of the u
S. are bound by law, divine and human, by all
the obligations which can rest upon civilized
and Christian people,-which We profess to be.
1t Ia no answer to this to say, that We may do
wrong, may disregard and violate our own sol.
emn obligations, because others have done, or
do, or purpose TO do 80. Our position or atti-
tude is, properly, defensive of, and In tbe main
tenance OF the Constitution, the Law, aud the
Liberty and nationality intended to be secured
by them; not aggressive upon others, whether
individuals or States, further than the just &C.
casion, in that position and attitude, renders
necessary. ["Nothing but necessity can au.
thorize us to have recourse to force against an
unjust aggressor; 80 this same necessity should
be the measure Of the harm we do him; and We
ought to be always disposed to reconcilemeni
as soon as he has done us Justice, and we have
nothing further to apprehend. d."-Burlam.l The
ancient, semi.barbarous perversion of natura
Law,-"the Law Of Retaliation, ,'-as it wal
called, Gan eye for an eye, and tooth for 9
tooth"-is reformed and superseded-by hu
manity, Christianity and civilization. More earn
estly does this rule, dictated by them, apply tC
such a conhctas that which has arisen between
the people of the U. S. who were and should be
politically and socially, brethren. Wheth
or they can or may be restored to national har
mony is not the question now In hand; but we
at least, are prohibited from closing the door
thereto, by acts of injustice, and the contrary
spirit ia eniolned by the law, to which we our
selves appeal, by our own declarations-by duty,
and 1t may be added, by our own ultimate good
and safety-to now to estimate the guilt of q
war for that purpose, namely: for the subuga
tion of the people of the slave-holding States
or those which are in rebellion, with the intent
and for the purpose of abolishing or extermina
ting negro slavery therein. This is true, what
ever may be individual opinions upon the alb
stract Question-of the lawfulness or unlawful
ness OF negro seryitude, as 1t exists in thos
States. The Jesuitical assumtion that the en-
sanctifies or justiies the means, is as false IL
logic and true statesmanship, as IL is in morals
since acts OF aggression, In that spirit and will
such purpose. as certain to be overtaken
soonor or later, in their actors, by retributiol
and punishment; 10 which, as well as In the ag
gression, the Innocent necessarily suffer wit
the guilty-in the action or In the re-action.- -
uo nuuuht hnu cAbtut Vi tVll huu uuIuhu ~
fering which must attend such a war, carrie
on for such a purpose, hereinbefore mentioned
would be too appalling to be contemplated, eve
In prospect. lstL.. fer lT
One further observation is here in place.
namely the assumption, which has bee
made and heard, and that in high qua
ters, that the war may be purposely made th
occasion and the means OF effecting the purpos,
herein mentioned and referred to, and would b
justified by, or because of, the acts of th
Southern rebellious leaders, or those engage
, In the secediug fevolt-is not only untrue !
, morals and principle, but as an argument Ia q
no value; since, IL 1t prove anything, 1t recog
!, nizes the right of one party or State to with
draw from the common body, to violate th
} Constitution, because another party or State ha
, wrongfully done so; while this wrongful part
> is still, by the others, held to his engagement
in and TO the common body--a proposition {
assumption, too, which, IL it were worth an,
/ thing In legal and Constitutional logic, as 1t
not, would equally justify the Northern Abol
, tionists in acts of secession aud disunon, b
/ cause slavery exists by law in the South and /
, people seek to maintain It there. In truth q
assumption is made by men Of that class
} Iparty. But too much space is already occupi'
and the writer must pause. A. N.