Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-07
Reaction i'm Public Sentiment.

Few of our readers, we suspect. are fully aware
of the reaction which has taken place in the pub
lie sentiment OF the Northern States, on the sub
ect of our present national difficulties. In nearly
every city, town and neighborhood from which
we have intelligence there are accounts OF Il revo
luton in the public mind, which pro
duce a powerful reaction. and lead to 4 more
careful examination into the causes and probable
consequences of the war On tue breaking out
of hostiliteS the patriotic impulses of the people
led to a general outburst. in support of the Gov
eminent and the maintenance of the Constitution,
and the exigencies of the case scarcely admitted
of that cool examination and reflection which
were necessary to full understanding OF the
issues involved in the controversy. The general
declaration that the war was to be waged TO up
hold and support the Constitution, was sufficient
enlist the sympatliies of the people in fighting
its battles; but when the fact disclosed, that
instead of supporting the Constitution, the war
has been made the excuse and justification for
violating and trampling under foot its provisions,
the public mind became in some measure aroused
to the questions presented for consideration, and
more careful inquiry has in consequence been in
stituted into the causes, objects and probable ef-
fec: of the war.
This inquiry has been stimulated in no small
degree, 10y the developments which have appeared
from time to time, touching the enormous bur
dens which the war is to cast upon the country
the fearful sacrifice of life which will be demand
ed to give it success, to sustain its defeats.
These burdens and sacrifices. yet scarcely begun
to be felt in the force and volume which they
must ultimately acquire, have afforded some
slight indications of what the country is to be
called upon to suffer and endure before the end
shall be reached, and the object of the war-if,
inc eel it has a definite mplished.
PoStpOnng, for the moment, the awful deStruc
ton of human life which the must cost-the
I
try are likely to be such as to overwhelm its bust
ness in common ruin, and leave a legacy of debt
for posterity, fearful to contemplate. But in
order to maintain the credit of the Government
sufficiently to obtain the enormous loans
to carry on the war, system of taxation, di-
rect and indirect, must be resorted to, most
oppressive in its character. The imposition of
tax OF fifteen cents per pound on tea, i've cents
on coffee, and two to five cents or sugar, to say
nothing of the burdens proposed 70 be cast upon
other necessaries of life, will be felt in every
household, rich or poor, throughout the country.
So too the direct tax which is proposed to levy,
to pay the interest the public debt, and with
out which it is not probable the money required
can be borrowed, will strike at the root of all
prosperity and inllict severe burdens upon nearly
all classes of people. in addition to the tax
lands, the owner OF a watch, carriage, or almost
any other article of luxury, is to be compelled to
I
lars, while the proposed income tax will take from
the already diminished earnings OF every man,
three per cent, equal to fifteen dollars on "a sal
airy of FIVE hundred dollars thirty dollars on 4
salary of one thousand, sixty dollars on salary
of two thousand. ninety Oh three thousand, &c-
very serious demand upon the labor of the
| country.
These questions are just beginning to be under
stood. as is also something of the horrors and
sacrifices of life which must attend the war. We
have had slight experience in that way in the
battle ut Bulls Run, but nothing TO what must
be experienced II hostilities to be long
tinued The realization Of these things will be
brought home TO nearly every family for few will
be found who have not to mourn the loss, in battle
or from the exposures and casualties of the camp,
of some friend periodically called to serve in the
army These losses, greater from the latter NEIL
toned causes than from battle, will demand an
hundred thousand victims. even if the war shall
not prove of long duration. All these things
might be suffered and borne, If any great object
were to be gained--anv substantial good accom-
plished But in view of such considerations as we
have named, and of the general evils and horrors
of civil war, of such magnitude as that which is
just opening upon us. the people begin to ask.
what good is to come of all thsT what substan-
tial benefits to posterity to ourselves, or to the
cause of human liberty, are to be achieved through
such fearful sacrifices. In many quarters, too,
the more practical question challenges attention.
can we subjugate and reduce the enemy against
whom we are contending7
These are questions of no small Importance,
and are forcing themselves, day by day, more
prominently upon the public mind, and producing
convictions unfavorable to the plans Of the war
party. The President and his advisers failed at
the outset to comprehend the magnitude and ex
tent of the revolution which has been inaugurated
IN the Southern Substituted to appreciate, if
not the causes of the revolution. at least the re
sources and ability which are brought to its sup
| port The leading war papers, since the battle