The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1862-03-19
LETTER II.

A RESPECTED Sir: In my first letter / e,
ID deavored 10 show that the only lepitima
I object Of The pending war Is the intecri,
Of the nation as constituted BY the Co,
s slitution Of the United States. shall no,
e attempt 10 point out sums OF the conse
quences to be apprehended from making
war on ihe fundamental principles Of IN
Q Constitution.
Let i never be forgotten that we are on
people and one nation only SO far az III
Constitution makes Us one. Outside Of thu
bond we are thirly-four peoples and thirty
four nations, none OF which have nv NOR,
hght 10 interfere with the X cal laws ant
institutions Of the rest than with the law.
and institutions Of China and Brazil. Ths
people OF the States have right, under the
Constitution, 10 defend their local laws and
institutions by arms, il necessary. and il il
The DUTY Of the United States to uphold and
aid 'hem IN the attempt. A war confined
to such an object would no, be rebellion
even though the United States were the no.
gressor. just so far, therefore, as the Der
ding war may be waged against Southern
institutions, the Souiherners in arms will
cease 10 bc rebels, and the Northerners il
arms win become 10 truth what they are
now falsely charged with being-.he wan
ton assailants Of Southern rights Letme
not be misunderstood. Thus far the war
has been confined TO the enforcement Of ,he
Constitution and the laws Of the United
States, and, in their armed resistance. The
Southerners are unqualified and unmitieatedl
rebels. But let the United States abandon
this firm and safe platform: let them an.
nounce that the war is hereafter to be waceo
against the constitutional laws and institu.
lions Of the Southern States, and they will
neasurably relieve the traitors from the
'dium Of causeless rebellion, will give u
heir cause color Of right, and will nerve Il
heir arms for a more desperate resistance.
fnen, indeed, would the war become one Of
ubJugsticn-prosecuted. not for the purpose !
i maintaining the Constitution, bu. in sub. I
ersion Of its fundamental principles. N
Such position would be attended Win
nischevous. If not fatal, consequences v
9th at home and abroad. II would para. liz
Ize msnya Northern patriot, who would u
i've bis life for the Union, not because he Iii
ives Southern institutions, but because he Ill
olds sacred the principles OF the Cons,i,u. :,
onsand deems their pres ervation essential Y
the maintenance Of order and law. as q
ell in the North as the South. m
All intelligent men know that q republic Al
extensive as the United States, embrac. U,
g such variety Of climates, productions. Al
sttutions, opinions aud interests can moi m
Eist under one consolidated Government a,
% ai the same time not allow the highest, 70
acticable degree Of liberty 10 al lis parts. llil
ence i is that every true friend Of liberty Of
volts from the idea Of an attack on that at
ndamental principle Of the Constitution
hich leaves every State free TO govern ca
'elf IN oil things which pertain TO its IocalIto
Iairs. Ia the subversion Of that principle vi
sees nothing in prospect but cluster oflTI
stile republics. like those Of Greece, vast. IN
each other in conlinual wars; Or 4 greet 81
'Pire like that Of Rome, in which liberty I,h
al be crushed under the iron rule OF an ne
siocratic Senate Or an usurping Caesar. co
ish such prospect before him, how can pi
true friend Of liberty sustain, with con in
ent hope and unhagging enthusiasm, The ~ q,
oseculion Of this war! - -
BIT the paralysis which On abandonment -
ihe Constitution would produce Ia many
Northern arm would not be it's only effect. ~,
would, IN an equal degree, nerve many a|sff
uthern arm and array in active hostility liz
ny Southern friend Of the Union. /, Co
u'd enable the rebels to say that the y -
rth is attempting to subvert the constito. i.
nal rights which the South Is fighting 70 !. -
intain. Il would, in the eyes Of The wh IN
FId, mitigate the crime OF rebellion b. co,
bling The rebels 70 assert, with smoc An