Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-07-30
"The Union as it Was. "

We find nowhere more sensible articles or
more uncompromising in opposition to the
traitors and their Northern sympathizers than
in Harper's Weekly, which, in the beginning
Of this career was positively proslavery.
In the last number we find the following
vigorous reply to the constant yelping Of
Northern defenders of slavery:
Whenever vigorous military measures are
proposed there is a cry from certain people
and papers that the war is for the mainten-
ance of the Constitution and the Union as it
was. Certainly tits; but what then? What
is the Union as it was? It is the Union of
the people living in thirty-tour States under
one supreme national government which by
the Constitution as it is empowered to return
obedience to its authority from every citizen
in the land, by military force if necessary.
That is what the government is doing
This war is the effort of the government to
reduce armed rebels to its authority. By the
Constitution the President is made Comman-
der-in- Chief and to use the military power
to suppress insurrection. When that military
power is counted by hundreds of thousands,
and confronted by hundreds Of armed men,
when bloody battles are fought, cities besieg-
ed, and stern blockade established there is
war between the government and insurgents,
who are at once traitors and enemies, and
who arc to be subdued by every means known
to war.
When the government acts under the clause
of the Constitution which authorizes the mill
tary suppression of the rebellion, and ali con-
stitutional rights inconsistent with state OF
war are suspended, for institutional immunity
against the taking Of his life by the govern
meut, except after due process Of law; mean
ing Indictment, trial, etc. But the govern
ment took the life of Sidney Johnston, at Shi-
lOh, without any indictment or trial whatever.
Was it an unconstitutional act? Not at all.
It was Just as constitutional as the hanging Of
Gordan. For the Constitution as it is author
ICES the use of military measures, after due
warning, as much as it guarantees individual
life and liberty, aud when the Union as it was
is restored, every citizen who has lost his life
by military necessity will enjoy all the civil
guarantees for it.
And so whatever else may fall within the
scope Of military necessity. BY the late law
passed in the House, our army are to be FED
at the expense Of the rebels. Every citizen
has a right to own property, but the grain anc
cattle Of every rebel will be promptly seizet
and appropriated to the use Of the govern
ment wherever the army needs it. Does tina
interfere with the Union as it was? No; i
is simply an integral part Of the necessary
MILITARY operations to re-restore the Union a
It was. In like manner, the slaves Of every
rebel who have been used against the govern
ment are liberated. Does that interfere witt
the Union as it was? Not at ALL 1t is only
mart of the constitutional means to restore th,
Union as it was.
! No, and forever mol 1t will be the Cniol
as It was in the very intent and words of tn
fathers; the Union as it was meant to be, an'
the Union by Gods blessing as the children
| of those fathers mean it shall be.