Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-07-18
"The Union at any Price"
[FrOm uarper's weekly.l


For a year we have been saying that we
wanted to save the Union at any cost. We
are now called upon to show that we mean
what we say. We have perhaps thought
that half a million of armed men would
suffice, that it was not necessary to employ
any other means. But as parents ask chill
dren "How much do you love me? AdOl-
lars Worth2 Twenty dollars? An apple 2p-
so we have now to ask ourselves how much
do we love our Government and the cause of
civil liberty and human freedom. The ques-
tion is perfectly simple. If we can say
truly that we love our country SO strongly
that we hold nothing dearer, except justice
and honor, then we are safe. If not, we
are already lost, and every one of our SOL
diers whom we henceforth allow to fall we
murder. Let US see, then, how much we do
love it, and at what cost we are willing TO
save it.
Mr.. Ten Eyck, a Republican Senator
from New Jersey, says that he doubts
whether his fellow-cilizens would fight for
their country side by side with colored
men. That is to say, their prejudice against
the colored race is dearer to them than the
Union.
Another Senator says that coniscatiug
the property ofthe rebels in arms is MOTTO
be thought of. A man may be slaaghtering
our brothers, sons. aud fathers, but we
must respect his property. Men who take
this view are more unwilling to confscate
by proceedings IN rem ttau they are to see
tue country divided and lost.
Another party say that it is frightful to
think of General Hunters regiment of coll
ored men. If you ask them whether they
would not save the Union upon the very
principle of Union, namely, the liberty of
innocent men, they shake their heads.
They would rather the Government should
be ruined and the nation lost than that
those who have been enslayed, in defiance
of every human instinct and divine law,
should be liberated.
These represent classes that have been
hitherto very large in the county. But
they are classes that diminish every day.
1t is gradually becoming plain to the blind
est eyes that this country can be saved
only by the heroic effort of all her chifdreu,
The authorities are willing, but the people
are the Government. The authorities must
be stimulated aud supported by public
opinion, and every man must help to make
that. 1t the world sees that we, are trying
with one hand to put down rebellion and
with the other TO save rebels, 1t is idle to
expect its assent to the eontinuRnes of a
war in which it has so much at stake. If
on the other hand, It sees that we have
learned what we are not to be reproachsd
for not having earlier admitted, that the
EXTREMIST and most radical measures are
not to be spared in the suppression Of this
insurrectiou, the world viii pause, for it
will see purpose TOO dangerous and sin
cere to be trified with.
The moral is Ta1iantiy clear. IF we,
value the Union more than the claim of
the rebels 10 their slaves and their proper.
", We shall save it. II NOT, It IS already
lost. IL We do not believe that We can
soastitutionally take any step short Of dis
honor, which Is necessary for national self
preservation, then our salvation Is e0nsti.
tutionally impossible. - 9