The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-05-29

In every great enterprise "nic" coan01"~s
general interest Of community, there are thou
sands Who are forever forgetting its essential
running off on some collateral
issue. and magnifying its importance, until they
succeed in getting distorted views OF the entire |
scheme, and become bitterly prejudiced against
il, There are also class Of individuals Who are
particularly sensitive upon some special question
some false theory, or some wrong system 70
which they have been bound, and the letters oil
which have worn a tender spot on their under
standings No sooner do 20" come, by accident
even. into this sensitive locality, than they fly in.
% q towering passion, and proceed at once TO
smash things generally.
We believe, however, that these classes OF IN
dividuals have little influence upon the public at
the present time The issues of to day are too
imposing in their outline to be Inexperienced
by the most blurred vision, while the necessity
which is laid upon the nation is too urgent ana
veighty 10 admit Of any csptioasness as to the
causes or results Of the present contest.
Will the secession leaders have made the
pr.iuGices which the slavery question has engen-
dered among the people Of their section OF the
country subservient to their purpose OF disrup-
ting the government, it is established beyond
question that this is not the cause but the pre-
text of rebellion. Facts are daily coming to light
70 prove what was already only TOO palpable,
namely, that since the days Of JOhr c. Calhoun
and Notification, there has been an active body
OF men constantly at work in the southern States
sowing the seeds which have ripened in harvest
Of treason.
But even should il be contended that the sla-
very question is the direct cause Of the secession
movement, it cannot but be perceived that it is
only incidental to the great question which the
American people are called upon to decide
When the midnight assassin rushes upon you
With drawn dirk and loaded revolver, the fact is
Of small importance that he has mistaken you
for rich neighbor whom he had determined Ia
murder and rob, or for an implacable enemy,
whose life he has sworn to take. The question
10 simply one Of life or death, and he who make;
the most timely and effectual move in the deadly
game ia the man who will come out the winner
the present war upon the domestic institution
Of the South. Whatever this effect NAV be. il
must unquesuOnaoiy ne entirely incidental
The government of the United States has no
entered upon q crusade of emancipation, and ",
apprehend no such result will be brought abou
unless the stern necessities of the case shall rem
der il imperative. We believe that the course o
the administration on this question will be char
acserizedb by the same enlightened Judgment which
has already won for it golden opinions from al
classes Of people. The good sense Of the repl
Of Gen. Butler to the demand for the renditcl
Of fugi;ives-refusing to give them up to tn
owner until be had sworn to support the Consti
tuition of the United States, must commend itsel
70 oil.
The administration will recognize the binding
Obligations which every constitutional duty i'm
poses upon them, and they will faithfully di:
charge the duties which they owe TO every lOys
citizen. But traitors have by their own act Q
treason forfeited all claims to protection or i'm
munity. b. are only deserving of the halter
They have .rrsyed themselves in open rebellion
against the government, and they must take tn
consequences. whatever they may be- II thei
madness and folly shall bring upon them the ruil
Of their cotton, sugar and tobacco interests;
their cities shall become depopulated, and thei
fields laid waste and if to the bloody realitie
Of civil war shall be added the terror of
servile insurrection-the world may look on il
horror at the terrible picture, but it can only ex
claim, +" they would have it So"
The path Of duty is plain before every tru
citizen. Each is entitled to his own opinion
With regard to all collateral questions, but shou
allow no disagreement upon these to cool his Al
dor in the great work Of preserving our consti
tutiOsal rights, our glorious Union. and our be
loved country.