New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-09-26
..CAN THE UNION BE eSAVED1"

<AlUioSl SNCif Ilcui III WIN Wy
hear the above question asked, or else
.'can we save the Union :" BEFORE pro-
occiins to answer either question, per.
nit US to ask the candid, thoughtful,
rejecting men Of the North, (tho fan
t.tics We do not address for they are as
i3st to reason. as is our country under
heir rule to hope,) what we have &C,
c9mrHshed toward saving the Union in
rosrly two years Of the most sanguin-
nrv conflict the world ever witnessed.
st us ask what return we have for
The almost herculean effort of the gov
trnment. toward subduing the South ;
Cor the hundreds of millions Of dollars
poured into the lap of the national gov
crnmcnt. by generous and conf ling
people for the devotedly heroic sur
render and sacrifice Of husbands, Of
fathers. Of sons, of brothers, from al
most every household in our country
tits not to be denied that wa have
achieved some of the most brilliant vic
fories known to modern history that
sc have exhibited feats of the most no.
a,e daring known to any age.
But whatever influence these occur
rnnces may have upon the minds of
Ten in arms: they do not, should not.
nj cannot prevent the great thinking
mass Of our citizens from broa ching to
themselves the inquiry, as to whether
these victories alone can restore the
Union. All men, except the radicals,
are anxious to seo,tile result Of this
contest against the rebellious States
terminate in the restoration of the
American Union, with all the personal
sud political freedom. at any time en-
'ayed by its citizens, preserved to them
ard their posterity, as an indefessable
Inheritance.
We sti'l have faith not only that the
Cs.;on can, and will be preserved, but
'se believe that a large majority of
s;.ose voting and acting with the radi-
oal sing of the republican party, are
in favor OF its preparation. But IN
i,a,unately far the salvation Of the coun-
~ those controlling that organization
jisvc either shown themselves, not de
s.;geus of saving the Union, or else lack
ing in the essentials of patriotism and
ability to it's accomplishment.
The fanatics who control the press,
an' pnblic opinion in the North, not
without some show Of plausibility con-
EQUALLY assert that the unconditional
gGt3mission of the South" is the only
terms upon which they will ever con-
scas to the termination of this horrible
conflict ; that upon no other conditions
shall the blessings Of white-robed peace
ever smile upon our once happy coun-
Try. The reason they assign is, that
t.sc safety Of future generations de-
1aaad. that those engaged in this re-
F,eli;on should be utterly wiped off from
the face of the earth because if this
controversy is compromised and they
restored as component members of the
Union, under one constitution, with
equal rights and one destiny, it will
become a precedent, the government
tAcrehy rendered weak and contempt
able, and anarchy and social distur-
nance become chrome among the
American people. But to strip this
argument of it's high-sounding devotion
% Union totally unlike that Union
under which we have grown great and
powerful as a nation, leaves it the ar
sument of European King's-of those
'sho "govcrn by divine right'-and
vino like the present Emperor Of France,
slsatroy public liberty to ''save society,
md especially that future generations
may be saved from the devastations of
anarchy rnd RUM; a cry as indust-
ricusly propogated by his tools, as is
he abolition cry fer exterminating the
people Of an entire section that we may
livc in peace, security. and eafety, with