The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-05-22

long and fierce political campaign, is remarkable
ard gratifying. Our citizens have not all the
same degree Of feeling but 90 far as the mani
festations appear they are all in the same direc-
ton. For this general concurrence of action
among men who differ on all other points, two
principal reasons may be stated.
The first is, that this course is entirely just,
and in accordance with the dictates of duty.
The present military contest is one for the SUI
premacy Of Law over anarchy and rebellion. IL
is q question of National existence. Whatever
we're the causes of the existing state of things,
the negro question, for the present, is laid aside
If there were not a slave in America, SO long as
the rig hit of secession was claimed and attempted
to be exercised the present contest must be con.
tinued; and in this contest, persons disagreeing
entirely upon the subject of slavery, can act cor.
daily together in putting down secession. So,
also, persons, even those most scrupulous as to
the rightfulness Of engaging in foreign war,
can conscientiously carry arms in the support
port of the civil government, and the suppression
of rebellion. In a country like ours where pub
lie opinions reigns SO despotically, it is great
element of strength to any cause, that it is con-
ceded, by the whole community, to be entirely
just.
Another reason for this unanimity Of action is
found in the necessity of the case. War with
the seeding States exists; and We must subdue
them as rebels; treat them a. equals, acknowl.
edging their independence or submit ourselves
to such terms as they might please to prescribe
for us.
But it has been asked, "Wby not allow all
the States who wish to secede peaceably, to do
go, and set up for themselves? We can take
care of ourselves; let them take their own road
to happiness, and We will take ours. What ne.
cessity is there of fighting about it?'
The necessity lies in this, that if the Confed-
crates States should be recognized by treaty as
an Independent nation, We could not long remain
at peace with it. The situation of the people of
that Republic, and of our own is such, that hos.
tities must soon occur, with . prospect, uti.
matelv, of a repetition from time to time. The
occasions for quarrel are numerous and cogent.
| /. There is the insolent, overbesring DISPOSE
ton which has always been manifested by the
Southern leaders when in the Union. When out
of it, at the head of a new military republic,
their disposition would become more offensive,
and We should be less disposed to suffer it.
9. The boundary question is one on which it
would be easy to split. When one nation has
wished to get up quarrel with another, disa-
greement about boundaries has always been a
good pretext for war. Our war with MEXICO
was brought on by dispute about the boundary
OF Texas.
| 8. The navigation Of the Mississippi by two
independent nations, one controlling its mouth,
and the other its sources, could easily be made
an occasion of great international difficulty. 1t
was this very consideration which induced JET
ferson to make the purchase of Louisiana,
whereby the United States obtained the contro,
of the whole river.
| 4. The establishment and working of a set,
or rather of two sets, of Custo Houses, exten-
ding from the Potomac to New Mexico, dis
lance Of 800 miles, would be a cause of great
annoyance aud irritation to the people on each
side OF the boundary line, who have always been
accustomed to unrestricted trade and intercourse.
| 5. The greatest and most imminent source OF
war between the two Republics would arise fron
the slavery question. To apprehend the full
| force Of this, We must consider the condition Of
the two nations as it would be after separation.
We of the Free States would be, essentially, an
anti slavery nation; and with the great body OF
the slaves gone from among as, We should pro-
vide for the liberation Of the few remaining, on
terms satisfactory to all. The action, policy,
feelings and interest Of the whole nation would
tend in that direction. On the other band, hold
ing of slaves is the corner stone Of the Southern
Republic The inequality of human rights is
the foundation on which they build. They hope
to establish great, Southern, military Republic,
in which slavery and representation for slaves
would be perpetual. This would give few the
politica: power of the nation, and constitute the
holders of slaves, an order of nobility.
Hence, We see, at a glance, that the action,
policy, feelings and interests OF the Southern
Republic would be precisely opposite to those Of
the Northern one. Its greatness and prosperity,
in their estimation. would consist in getting and
holding as many slaves as possible.
But slaves Who dare not fight for liberty, will
often run away, to the great loss of the holder
Now, by division Of the nation, as proposed,
Canada would be brought, as it were, to the very
doors of the slaves. Wherever that line might
be drawn, there would be tens of thousand. OF
slaves within two days travel of it. All along
that line, in Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and
the regions beyond to the Rio Grande, there
would be perpetual stampede. One, ten, or
hundred, could cross this line in night; and
when once across, would they be surrendered b.
the northern people or government Never.
law for their delivery, if enacted, would be
dead lette-. The people to whom they fled
might prefer not to have them come: but, when
once across the line, the people would not permit
their return As slaves. What, then, would be
done? The STAKEHOLDER, awaking in the morn
ing, would pursue, with armed friends, across
the line-would attempt to seize the fugitive
would be arrested for violating the laws-would
be rescued by his friends-and in the struggle,
man might be killed on each side. A demand
for the surrender of the man.slayers would be
disresarded by both governments-the affair
would he discussed by the papers on both sides
in the most arrogant and incorporate manner
and each nation would feel indignant at the
wrongs which it conceived itself to have suffered
This is but single instance; but when a hun.
dred similar instances had occurred over the