Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-23
Thomas Ewing ia the Confessional

We read IN the reports OF the Border Con-
feierce that Mr.. Thomas Ewing, of Ohio.
"sPeke Of the conservative line of policy
and saw much to condemn in the extreme
views held by leading Republicans, who
would yield TO no compromise-yield no
toncessions.' We see, by this brief sem
tence, how the meaning Of words changes
when men lose their masculinity. Altering
the Constitution he calls conservatism. The
more you tear down the more conservative
you ore. In fact, Toombs, Yancey, and
Kett in bis great Samson Agonistes part,
tearing down the pillars of the Constitution,
and crushing himself in the ruins, are the
real cor scIvatiyes, according to N1r. Ewings
.dea.
I And the Republicans who hold to a Con-
sGtuion which has been the theme of South
GIN and Northern eulogy for sixty years,
ard up 20 the last election, Mr.. Ewing con-
demIs for their ''extreme views When
lsrCuoge becomes so confused as this, the
case IS beyond human aid. 1t is "bab.
bling of green fields
Why should Mr.. Ewing wish tho Repub-
Lon? Has the South suffered any wrong?
They do not allege any. Have they suffered
from any restrictions in the Territories?
They 90 not pretend any such thing What
cause have they for rebellion? Nothing but
spprehensions, and loss of Office from the
election of Mr.. Lincoln. Yet for that Mr..
Ewing proposes to tear down the Constitu-
ton and establish rebellion as higher law
over il.
Mr.. Ewing voted for Mr.. Lincoln. If that
election is so just cause for the rebellion of
the South, that it requires concessions from
the Constitution to compromise for the
election, Mr.. Ewing does not go half far
enough, nor does he go to work the right
way. What right has he to trade away the
Constitution to indemnify the South for an
election of which he is guilty2 He eau not
throw his own sin upon the nation, and
make it expiate his fault by its own sacrifice
This will not do. By admitting that the
election is a cause for concessions from the
Constitution, Mr. Ewing takes upon himself
On individual share of the responsibility fol
all the damage that the country has suffered
by this crisis, financially, industrially, in tn,
loss Of confidence in the stability of the Gov
eminent st home, and in its disgrace ant
total sacrifice Of national reputation abroad
All this Mr. Ewing assumes share Of b.
admitting that the election of the candidat
for whom he voted, justifes a demand 70
concessions TO rebellion. And now he pro
poses to repair the disaster which he con
fesses he helped bring upon the country, b
tearing down the Constitution. Mr.. Ewin
has admitted too much to make that til
proper remedy. Let him repair his ow
fault put on the sackcloth aud ashes of re
pentanee for voting for such President, an
FIRST exhaust his energies in an effort to re
lieYe the country from the President whoI
he supported, and whose election he no
virtually admits to be the cause of all th
evil, before he proposes to destroy the Con
stiiution to indemnify the South for hi
own act.
Ifthe election of Mr.. Lincoln is too muc
for the Constitution-and one or the othC
must be oOnceded--then every true man vi
say that Nr. Lincoln should be coneede
No tue citizen of the United States will hol
the office of President at the cost of cor
cediDg any portion Of Constitution whic
the nation has held sacred for sixty year
By admitting in any form that his electio
has made necessary, or justified, deman
for sacrificing any portion of the COnstitu
tuition, Mr.. Lincoln would admit that he wa
crafty ing his own ambition at the saeri6C
of his country.
This logical conclusion is unavoidable
but we see no signs that Mr.. Lincoln is goin
70 ir2a,s himself or il; however much N