The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-01-02
Con,inrencIes OF the war.


Of our readers
The subject discussed "a Of The highos, impor-
tanoe both in its relative aud positive innutnee on
the destiny Of our pcopleAnd nation As thc slave
powor is admitted to be the ouly agency hy which
this mcnstrous rebellion has been couisummited;
It may be well fcrus calmly TO Investigate the cause
of this crisis and prepare for any change the neecs
sites of war may predicate. IS data On which TO
base such investigation, Mr.. Ashley in his speech
has stated the historical record OF slavery fcr the
past thirty years, demonstrating thcrcfrsm It's in
sidious policy It's arrogant assumptions, and its deS-
tructive influence, on that liberty, and the Union
tablshed by our fathers.
The Toledo Bicde referring TO this speech judi
ciously observes that, the facts given TO well
established and known TO be questioned; and the
main pcint In the review no one can dispuo." II
the case be as promised by MIR, Ashley, aul thus
confirmed by the Blade It is difficult to conceive Of
any other coucusion than the one stated by him In
his celebrated letters Uf last spring, viz "That in
order to the suppression Of rebellion, an uphodug
the Union the overthrow of slavery Is militly
necessity" Mr.. Ashley views in the spring wcie
not generally received, but the logic Of events have
since shown their correctness. 1t would be to our
advantage as communities and rs nation di we
endorse. and uphold politicians who like jackson
and jefferson shall at all times speak and act from
principle, rather than from cxpedioucy. such men
as james NJ. Ashley, John Coclroue, Daniel S.
Dickinson, Generals Wool, Dix nnl Butler, will
ever command the respect of every honest man
and therefore they eau afford to suffer the consuIc
Of squcamish opposcrs.
This Union we so much value was not based on
e.. ,Ct1 n.v, ,lrttO
the right and dared to act on it, aud conscquenc,
they have transmitted to us, the best form or gov
culuent ever possessed by any people. But since
their time, there has been grOdu Il, steady, aud
successful, encroachment Of the slave power. Re-
suits have been consummated, which they did not
anticipate. By the abrogation of the Missouri
Compromise, and the enactment Of tho fugitive
slave law, local institution originally designed
for extinction, has in its influence become cock
tcnsvc with our domain so that now, under the
same constitution, we prolessedly, have the largest
amount of liberty, and die grossest amount of OPP
preston. This anomaly has excited the regret the
iiiculc, and the contcmptof cvz3d rUtjons AMI
within our borders it has been the sole cause of
disoord, and of bloodshed
BY it the bonds of Christian unity have been
broken and violence offered in the sanctuary Of
God to those who questioned the right Of man to
traffic in his fellow BY it good and upright per-
sons VIII disavowed slavery, have been put to death
without trial by jud,e or jury. by it, reproach,
and insult has been continuously cast on the free
men of the North. BY il halls Of Congress
have been desecrated by deeds of ruilianism and
of insult and the freedom Of speech restrained. BY
its agents our public arsenals have been pluudercd,
our public treasury robbed, the sanctitv of their
oath violated, and the public trust committed to
them perverted, that they might thus levy war on
us, and succeeding, establish on the foundation Of
our liberties. and our glorious Union, tho worst
form of foudal despotism. BY the war, which they
they have levied to destroy this Union our homes
are being desolatcd--thc wall of the widow and the
orphan resounds through our once happy lNnd--ond,
ere this war closes, il is not improbable, that our
National Debt will be one thousand millions of
dollars and the the sword and disease hundred
and fifty thousand of patriotic soldiers will he
laid low in their graves. We ask why such con-
tingences are being entailed on us and fer what
purpose. Facts demonstrated BY the events trans
piring, furnishes the answer. 1t is that three hun
dred and fifty thousand slave holders, by corrupt
dishonest and perjured oligarchy, may control aud
govern this mighty Republic and mould and shape
its legislation. To accomplish this they have ar
raycd themselves against us, they have thrown
down the gauntlet of treason, and are persuading
foreign nations TO corporate with them in war
against u.s. What then shall he done shall we
lay down our arms and negotiate pcaccr No nov
er. The rebels ask such terms, and there can
he no compromise while such relations exist be-
tween man and his fellow. The conflict is GIRO
pressible." Should the war now waged by the op-
pressors Of the south, be determined in their fav- =
or; II will eyentuate in of the oppressed, for
freedom, for liberty, for life, The fiat of the Al
mighty, the testimony Of history, and the sympa-
thies of civilized men against this cnomity
Therefore the destruction of the institution of slHv-
cry being military necessity, in the namc md
under the influence of the Most High let us deter
mine TO set aside all disturbing causes aud ostab'
sh our glorious Union the rock Of liberty, which
as the rock of ages is eternal and immovable
Then shall our laws in their spirit, and influence
be made to harmonic with the spirit of our Consti
tution, and the design of its authors.
1t is satisfactory to every true hearted American
TO know that the gigantic evil does not arise frou
our organic law hui from the pcrvcrson Of tina
law Our fathers looked on all in the form Of MAJ
as persons, and designated them as such, whcthc
fgitipes from jastieC, Jgiiires from labor. II
place the colored subjects of labor in the class @
chauels, belongs to our advanced civilization, ant
TO deprive said chattos Of all right in equity is tn
climax Of our jurisprudence.
Our fathers have spoken on this subject in Ian
guage which viii live whilst time shall last, "W
hold these truths to be self-evident that all me
are created equal, that they are endowed by thei
Creator with life, liborty and the pursuit Of happi
ness. That to secure these rights governments W
instituted among men, deriving their just power
from the consent of the governed"
Believing this to be the true theory Of our gov
ernmont and esteemng beyond all other the bless
ings enjoy under it, assert with all the euel
gy Of our souls, " the Union, il must aud shall /
preserved" We are fully satisfied that Mr.. Lin
coin and his Cabinet are competent to meet the di
iicuties confirming them. That the desire to pm
Aote tue best interests Of Republic, will contp
all their actions, ard that whatever decisions ii
pressure of events may require Of them such d,
eisions will be based on the broad principles of COZ
stituuonal law and a Christian civilization ,
that in time 10 come may honor the noble me
who by the blessing of Providence with calmne
and fortitude, and with Judgment aud resolutio
win guide nation through this fiery ories
And like the Phoenix rising from its ashes, with r
newed life, SO shall the glorious symbol Of our b
loved nationality arise from the ashes of civil a
cord, and be as our fathers designed il, the obi'