The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-11-15
The Great Question.

The Great Question.
Amid all the varying fortunes of this
unhappy War for the Union, one question
is ever arising, TO disturb the National
councils and imperi the National arms.
We mean, Of course, the question of Sla-
very. 1t is our ghost Of Banquo, that
will never down at the word OF en:reaty
CT command, and whose constant presence
should remind us Of our completely, in
years gone by, with the great crime which
has SO long destroyed the peace and now
threatens the life oil the Union.
The time has at length arrived when
this question, always vitality important,
cannot longer be evaGed or postponed
without utter ruin to the country. DAN
gers are thickening all around us, and it
behooves every true loyalst and friend OF
humanity TO speak in no feeble or uncer
tain tone, lest those in authority shal! fail
TO hear the empha attic voice of the people.
Our enemies, terribly in earnest in
wicked cause, make nc concealment OF
the sole design Of their Rebellion. which
is to establish Government with Human
Slavery as its foundation stone. But for
this design, long cherished and openly
avowed, they would not have attempted
The subversion o! the Union, which has
proved a never rfailng source of blessings
to them. They have proclaimed boldly
and repeatedly, that Slavery for all labor
ing men, white or black, is the only nat.
ural or enduring basis of government and
society and, to secure the practical
recognition of this monstrous assumption
over the whole continent, they have ap-
pealed from the decision of the people to
the stern arbilrament of the sword. Who
can fail 10 comprehend their policy?
1t was apparent to all who realized the
nature Of Slavery, long before this Re-
bellion was inaugurated, that it must ul.
timately be arrested in its aggressions,
and, II not peaceably, then by war; and
that the policy Of concilat,on and COM
promise could only aggravate the evil. as
it would afford it encouragement, and
time in which to augment and multiply
dangers. And has not the history of the
past few years proved the wisdom OF
their views and predictions Had Tie
curse Of Slavery been restricted, as 1t
might have been, years ago. it would
finally have died, without seriously men
acng the existence of the Government
But die it must, even though, oy its
death struggle, our country is deluged in
blood. Having taken the sword, a Just
God has decreed that it shall perish by
the sword. Neither the Administration
nor the people OF the North can save il
il they would. and, for one, we would not
dare not, il We could. 1t may drag
cut miserable existence through
few more years Of civil strife, but from tn
moment it inaugurated rebellion an,
war, its power and prestige were lost for
ever. and its doom hOpelessly sealed.
The Loyal people OF the country, know
ing this, have 10 doubt Of the final resu
Of the war; and yet it is not TO be denie
that its conduct has thus far 0een to them
source of displeasure and alarm. T
their minds, Slavery being the sole caus
Of the war, justice and the public safet
alike require that ii should be treated q
such by those in whose hands the in,eres
Of the country are entrusted. The
have never asked that its abolition /
proclaimed as the object Of the wa
which has been forced upon the Govern
ment by wanton Rebellion, yet the
rightfully insist that no loyal arm shoul
be interposed 10 save il from falling by til
sword il has drawn in lis own defense :
The Rebels having, by their own acts, 70
jeited all claim to protection, they a.
panied and humiliated to see that vel
species OF property" which alone has e.
daneered the Union, aud no other, car
fully watched and guarded by the A
Eninistration. They are tired OF Il
bloody experiment OF war upon pea
principles. While patiently awaiting Il
development Of the military policy OF d
Administration, they desire the assuran
ahat it is really in earnest in the gre
work before il, and will not hesitate