Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-12-19

! since the Old Union was formed. They
rest upon that fundamental principle set
forth in the Declaration of Independence,
that achievements derive their just
powers kom the consent ofthe governed
The States South, therefore, had done
nothing Tut what was their right, their
inalienoSle right to do, the same as their
ancesto. u in common with the North,
wheFs i rersa their connection With
the British Government
This war was waged by the North in
denial of this right and for the purpose
of conquest and subjugation. 1t was,
therefore, aggressive, wanton and unjust.
Such must be the Judgment Of mankind,
let its results be what they may The re-
sponsibility, therefore, for all its sacrifices
of treasure and blood, heretofore, or here
after to be made in its prosecution, rests
not upon us.
Mr., Stephens said that soon after the
first battle of Manassas duty called him
to our camps near that point. He went
over the ground on which that conflict
had taken place. The evidences of the
late terrible strife were still fresh and
visible all around. The widespread desc
lation, the new-made graves aud the pu-
trid animal remains, not yet removed by
the vultures, fully attested what a scene
Of blood it had been. While surveying
the hills and defles over which the vari-
Gus columns Of our men and the enemy
passed, and were engaged ont that mem
orable day, amongst many other things
that crowded themselves upon bis mind
were two dying expressions, reported to
have been uttered in the midst Of the bat
tie, One was by soldier, on the side
oe the enemy, who, fallen and weltering
in his blood, exclaimed, " Ny God what
is all this for?'' The other was by the
amented Barlow, who said, I" Boys,
they have killed me, but never give it
up" These two exclamations were made
at no great distance apart, and perhaps
near the same time.
What is all this for % Mr.. Stephens
said he could but think the question was
pertinent to both sides, and most peril
nent from him who uttered it, addressed
to all bis invading comrades aud those
who ssut them. Well might he there, in
the agonies Of death, in the din and dust
of strife, in the clangor of arms and the
thunder Of artillery, ask: " What is all
this for?" Why this array of armies :?
Why this fierce meeting in mortal com
bat? What is all this carnage and
slaughter for? The same question is
still as pertinent to those who are waging
this war against us as it was then. Why
the prolongation Of this conflict? Why
this immense sacrifice Of life in camp and
the numerous battles that have been
fought siuce? Why this lameutation and
mourning going up from almost every
house and family from Maine to the Rio
Grande, and from the Atlantic and Gulf
f to the Lakes, for friends and dear ones
Who have fallen by disease and violence
in this unparalleled struggle? The ques-
ton, IF replied to by tho North, can have
but one true answer. What is all this for
on their part but to overturn the prnci-
pie upon which their own Government as
well as ours is based-to reverse the doc.
trine that Governments derive their ''just
powers from the consent Of the governed 2"
! What is it for but to oyerturn the princi-
pies and practice Of their own Govern
ment from the beginning That Gov
eminent was founded and based upon tho
political axiom that all States and people
have the inalienable right to change their
Z f,ru,o IF f,fvnwp,+.pt u,tD
This principle was acted on in tho re-
cognition by the United States Of tho
South American Republics. 1t was the
principle acted Oh in the recognition Of
Mexico. It was acted on in the struggle
Of Greece to overthrow the Ottoman rule.
On that question the greatest constita
tional expounder Of tie North, Mr., Web
ster, Coined his first laurcls as an Amori-
can statesman. The principle was acted
on in the recognition Of the Government
Of Louis Philippe, on the overthrow Of
Charles X Of France, and again in the
recognition Of the Lamartine Govern
ment, on the overthrow Of Louis Phil |
I lippe, in l848 At that time every man
at the North in Congress, save one, Mr..
Stephens believed, voted for the princi
pie. The same principle was again acted
upon without dissent in 1852, in the re-
coguiiion Of the Government Of Louis
Napoleon The same principle was acted
upon in the recognition Of Texas, when
he seeded or withdrew from the Cow
eminent Of Mexico.
Many at the North opposed the adnis
sion Of Texas as State in our Union then.
But there was little, If any, opposition 10
her recognition as an independent outside
Republic. Strange to say, many Of those
who we're then fercsstin their opposition
to Texas coming into the Union arc now
the Gerccst in their denial Of the unquos-
toned right acknowledged to her before
Well may any and every one, North or
South, exclaim, What is all this for p
What have VIC done to the North? When /
have We ever wronged them? We quit
them, it is true, Us our ancestors and
their ancestors quit the British Govern.
mcnt We quit as they quit upon a
question Of constitutional right That