Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-01-17

and the consequent easy election of Mr..
Lincoln were the choice and deliberate act
of those who pretend to find in these oc-
currences excuse for rebellion Mr.. Lin
coin and the Republicans acquired with
the Presidency no power TO work injury
upon southern interests
Congress and the Judiciary being both
against them, the factionists withdrew
from Congress, as it were, to invite some
act of injustice to southern rights, as is con-
clusively shown by the fact that it left
clear majority in Congress, and under the
most aggravating proYocation no such act
was passed.
The issue Of force was accepted by, per-
haps, majority in the loyal states almost
apologizing for attempting defense of the
Constitution and the Union, as for an I'M
warranted liberty.
Habits of Difference to southern COM
planning are so strong upon us as still to
frequently betray our officers and troops
into acts of servility that tingle our checks
with the blush of shame. The incidents
of the past few months have been marvel
Gus educators Of public sentiment. There
has come an almost universal recognition
of the truth of history, that this rebellion
is no sudden outbreak, excited by any of
its pretended provocations; but that it is
along matured and carefully prepared con-
spiracy, to be met and mastered by the
government. Surely few lessons more
will teach US all, if indeed we be not al
ready taught, to understand what treason
means-to regard these rebels with that
horrid aversion in which the royalist holds
the regicide. They ale the attempted
regicides of the best government under
heaven, and every apologist for this crime,
or defender Of their cause, among us she d
feel the hot hiss of public soorn burning
brand upon him.
The contest must come to be fought on
the principle that the protection of the
Union alone gives saeredness to soil OF in
situations that no soil, nor person, nor
any species Of property, have any sacred
ness or claims to regard outside the Con-
stitution and in rebellion against the laws.
But in this contest who shall lead us? Eel
low citizens, the choice is no longer left us
| BY the deliberate act of the American peo-
pie at the late election, all the responsible
tiles Of Government, which have come to
include the management Of this war, were
devolved upon those now in authority. |
find in one of the annual reports. this SEN
timent Institutions which have their
foundation in the popular will. can have no
security except in the frmness and con-
sistency of that will" This truth indi-
Gates our present duty We SD uld rem
der our government strong through volun-
tary subordination, and our willing support
Of its policy. In every emergency the adj
ministration should be made to feel the
strength and consistency of that will by
which the destiny Of great nation was
confded to its direction. do not deny to
sharing largely in the prevailing popular
Impotence; do not underestimate the
demoralizing influence Of delay upon ar
mics and public opinion: but. I believe
this Administration means as honestly by
the country-as honestly by the sacred
cause Of liberty-as any faction opposing
it. 1t possesses alone the power to act
for us; and We must, pcr-force, stand by
it, or take the alternative of faction and
ruin to our cause. History teens with
examples of the malign influence of dis
content, and the uneasy ambition to lead. in
times like these.
The result of this contest is not doubt
full and the end will be WORTH to the
cause of Freedom and good government,
all the sacrifices and cost Of the war. The
war was not commenced-it may never be
prosecuted-to destroy the institution of
slavery. But this species Of property bas
es the claim of its owners to be a ruling
and privileged class, Slavery is moreover
the interest which the plotters for South
ern monarchy have played upon to alarm
and unite their section, until that whole
people have gone mad upon it. Conserva-
tism or policies cannot save it now from the
doom which awaits it. Whether it finds
its fate in the struggle, or dies lingeringly
of its wounds, is yet in the order Of Prov
idence, and not to be directed by our i'm
patience.
Trusting that the views l have present
ed will not be without their influence upon
your action-that your deliberations and
determinations Will all be marked by the
absence Of any exhibition of partizan feel
ing and by patriotic devotion to the I'm
ion, I conclude with proffering the hearty
cooperation Of the Executive in every
measure of benefcent legislation.
LOUIS P, HARVEY.
Madison, Jan. 10, 1862.