The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-10-08


My friends, 1t IL startling truh, that never
since Sumter's fall has the nation fully risen to
the height of the great occasion. Not only has
il not seen in it's true light the dsmnable spirit
aud purpose OF the rebel Hris;ocrscy, underlying
the whole surface of the rebellion, and scorning
all patriotic and brotherly appeals. and yet care
fully excluded from all their official pronuDcia-
mentos. in order to blind the world to their real
intent and object; but it has borne a heavy
weight OF long accustomed Difference to slavery,
md been restrained by an honest, but as we
now see, mistaken aud unavailng conservatism
iUwaid that Institution, which exhibits no con-
servaiism excrp; OF itself, snd brooks no radi
caIism but that itself employs to destroy the
Union, and clear the way for its own lawless
domination and expansion. The nation has
constantly underrsted the military strength of
the rebellion, and underestiuated the aid afford
ed il 10y the three millions and half of slaves
that remain at home. We counted them dead
weight upon the South 10 this war but they
have so far proved its most buoysnt and most
effective support. Aud there has ever lurked
through the public mind, especially in the bor-
der slave states, notion that, somehow or
other, no one could tell how, this frightful con-
fct would pass away with "nohody burt "
much, and with slavery restored to its old posi-
tion IN 1.-THE Union as it was" II is impossi
BILE to estimate he evil which this mischievous
to propitae slavery and it's votaries Poti-
clans keep one eye half open for the country
and the other wide open for disoyal votes when
they shall again be available. Merchants bal
ance between loyalty and trade, often holding
the former at a discount Lawyers watch for
the fees of disloyal clients, and doctors for the
calls OF traitorous patients, more than for the
honor of our flag. Preachers refuse either
prayer or sermon for the Government, lest dis
loyal ears should be offended. Thousands hang
back from avowed loyalty, TO escape traitors
frowus and thousands protesting loyalty yield
a grudEing and feeble support to the Union in
its peril, that they may commend themselves to
the Unions enemies All this, so disgrace full TO
the American character, 20 degrading to all true
manhood, so false TO every dictate of patriot
ISM and so Injurious to the Government in this
mortal struggle, has proceeded from the cher
ished belief that slavery il to survive this war,
aud resume its former influence. 1t is time that
this belief yielded somewhat of its strength 1t
is time that every man should see that the ma
ton will, in all human probability, be driven, by
the inexorable law of self-preservation, to de-
struy slavery.
In common with hundreds of thousands of
loyal citizens, have earnestly hoped that this
conflict might stop short OF that point; but hope
has been well nigh quenched within me by the
growing conviction, in view Of the facts have
laid before you, and of the extremity to which
the South has wased this war, that slavery or
my country must perish. When that dread al
tentative shall be fully presented, God forbid
that should hesitate for one moment which to
choose! My country must live, though slavery
die a thousand deaths. Tell me not that we war
only tor the Constitution and the Union. ]
know il well but can they be saved now and for
all coming time, and save slavery, their enemy,
too? II not, let slavery end its days here and
now, whatever may follow. A war for the mere
msnunission OF negroes-a war to obhterste
slavery as a mere domestic institution, the nation
would not and should not wage but against
slavery, the rebel and traitor in arms, fear it
must, il it would itself live. l almost despair of
the nations life, but by the death of slavery.
Time was, in the early period of the rebellion,
when its suppression or abandonment might have
left slavery unshaken by its own horrible crime
but that time is hopelessy past. l see 10 day
OF adjustment restoration, or coDciliation in the
future. Slavery procaims that it concilia.es only
with the sword-adjusts only at the cannons
mouth He who expects adjustment, except by
the unconditional Submission of the South, knows
little of the character and temper of the loyal
portion OF the nation. He who looks for
storation of the territorial integrity OF the Union
otherwise than by snhjugatiDg the rebels from
the Pc Omac 10 the Rio Grande, knows not what
it ia for an srstpcracy TO risk its all upon such
desperate venture as this. The first step in Sc
cession placed them beyond all hope, but in the
complete establishment of their slave empire
They know this well. They have never asked
restoration to the Union on any terms, and they
would not accept it now, were it freely and cor
daily offered, with unrestricted amnesty to all.
They hate the Union, because it is not "homo
geneous; )" that is, not all under the sway of the
idol slavery. They loatbe the "pure democra-
cy" OF the North, because it is uncougenial to
their social arstocracy," and because they hold
that there 'the reiDs of government come from
the heels OF society" as they term the free white
laborer. Ten thousand lines they have declared
that they never will unite with the North again,
and it is certain that they are in earnest. Away
then, with lille talk about Cancellation and adjust
ment Let the nation brace iteelf up to fight
thls war through to the perfect and absolute
restoration Of the authority of the Constitution,
or give up the contest at once, and resign itself
to perpetual disgrace. II, to accomplish the
form~r it il necessary TO strike down slavery, as
well as Its armies, the world will commend the
act, aud the voice of our own loyal people will
burst forth in the midst of their morning for
sons and brothers dead in battle, with the un>
hesitatng and firm response: LET 1T RE so
THE MEN OF THE NORTH HAVE HIGHER TRUSTS
THAN TO PRESERVE SLAVERY -