The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-25

rial service to the cause of rebellion But when
convinced, by the thunder Of rebel cannon and
the flames Of Fort Sumter, that revolution, and
not re dress or security within the union, was the
object of the southern leaders, they did all that
honest men could do 10 retrieve their error. and,
Notwithstanding their political antagonism on
minor points, the democratic party Of the north
rallied around your administration as the only
means of saving their country Your armies
abound with them; none are more ready to sacri.
fee all that IL dear life itself for the preser
walton OF the union and the constitution, and to
them il is cheering though but just, that you have
recently given them u representative in YOUR
cabinet
30 assured sir that the democratic party Of
the north, with the exception OF q few scmi.tra,
tors whome they repudiate, cordially approved the
objects OF the war against rebellion As declared by
you in all your public ayowals. They rally around
YOU with devotion to the cause not exceeded by
any class Of your original supporters, and they
will spare no sacrifice to save the union and the
constitution. In this great object they are al
rerdy consolidated with the great mass OF the
republican party, and will be among the las, to
despair Indeed these two parties for all present
purposes constitute but one which may be ap.
propriately called the CoysrIrrTIoSAL USloS
PARTY. The object of this party in the pending
war is to preserve the union and the constitution
as Is. II is the constitution, and Ma only
which makes US a nation; destroy it, and the ma
ton will cease to exist, being Dissolved into thirty.
four independent states. In fighting for the con.
stitution, therefore, fight for the life of the ma
ton for all that can give Us peace aud security
at home and all that can make us hOnored and
respected abroad,
The fundamental principle Of our government
that principle which has enabled the republic to
extend itself from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
endowed il with capacity to embrace continents
and climes within lis dominion Is that everything
which relates exclusively or mainly to local affairs
shall be left tobe rcgulatedby local governments,
while the powers of the general government shall
be only such as are required TO promote the peace,
happiness and prosperity of the people, whatever
NAV be their peculiar customs laws or domestic
institutions, An attack upon this principle is an
assault upon the constitution is underlninding
the foundations of the republic; it is dvesting
II of that attribute, almost divine, which, like
the government OF heaven, protects alike error
and truth, allowing man to work out his own
happiness in peace by the free exercise OF his own
powers.
But we have a class of men among us who are
not content with such a government. They are
not content with the privilege of shaping the
laws and institutions OF the states in which they
live, according to their own senses OF right and
eIpediencc; but wish 10 compel other men
and other communities, over whose local affairs
they have no rightinl control, to adopt their ma.
tons, and, utterly regardless of essential differ.
ences in circumstances, remodel all local institu.
tons by their procrustean standard And by a
concerted effort these men are attempting TO di.
vert the military power Of the country from It's
legitimate object the preservation of the c0nsti.
tuition in its integrity, and direct it to the subver
sion Of the fundamental principle on which it il
based Such scheme is virtually q conspiracy
against the constitution and the union in the
north, giving effective aid to the rebellion in tn,
south 1t would present the loyal states of Other
nations, not, as atprescnt, defending an establish
| ed government against want0n rebellion but a.
Themselves rebeLs d9aina he rerV government Mds
profess 10 be defending. 1t would cast the norti
also on the stormy ocean Of revolution, not fight
ing for any existing government, but for such I
one a. may rise out Of the waycs--it may b.
many warning states and conicderacies, or al mill
tary dcspotism based on conquest, and swallow
ing up the whole
In another letter shall endcayor more fully t,
expose the dangers and folly of all such schemes
AMOS KENDALL.