Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-19
From the New ok sunday Mercury, June L
When VIII the War Eud:

This question which ny persons snxiously ask
Ing out which few or none answer If some could
tell ns no" The war Will he conducted from this time forth
upon what principles ard for what otects-we might then
form some toeraby reliable op nion its du alton and
its results But unhapps. the policy of the has thus
far been undetemined the manner carrying it on
so haeuatng that it is imPossib to say how when
viii ne to an end OF whether it Wi IN our day and gene
rat On cease at all.
large majority Of the people have supposed that the
only zeal purpose Of the was to defend the authority
Of the Constitution and the law against the efforts those
no have attempted to overthrow them and that the
urIos OF States founded the Constitution the best and
deed the ohy possible way OF preserving or restoring the
former is by preserving the latter. But since the conflict
for which prosecuted, have been unset
tied as the views and in erests OF the Adminsra We
believe bst the President has been and honestly des
bring the States together again. har
mory, upon the old basis OF the Constitution.
But Mr. Lincoln has not, yet declared for himself dis
tinct policy III this war, and compelled all who under
him 20 conform and adhere it. AS several great
dameUa questions of constitutional power and Executive
duty he has been reserved and equvoca when he should
have been explicit and ermned. striking iastapce of
this strange want of decision found in his last pro-
camaton respecting the atocous edct of General
Hunter. In that case, nsesd of frankly and positively
nying all constitutional poR either in his suberdnates
in himself declare the abolition of slavery, any
other institution Of State States under circumsan
whe1 her it be competent Tor me, Commandera Chief
OF he army, 10 declare the slaves of any Stale States
Come cessty Indispensable to The maintenance of the
Government exercise such suppo ed power, ques
lions which under my responsible ltg reserve to myself
his aVes the whole question in doubt, when Mr Lincoln
ought to have that necessity Indispensable the
Of the Government could iusti-
~ such nfpatOl OF power as woud violate the Consti
aton, and therefore subVer rather than mlinan the
This want, then a fixed and definite policy as to the
agains the rebellion far the President
ed, has led to conf ct of Ounse action both the
Cabinet al he Army, we'll in Congress- Gen
eral excludes all fugitive slaves from his camp another in
VlteS to seek refuge within his lines third
takes to emancpate several ona of them by stroke of
his per- Cabinet officer in h. report proca that the
abortion OF slavery necessary incident of the
President cuts oat the passage ard dsavows the doc
ne Congress- at one time, resolves that the war is not
tn iQfnrh nj tho
establish institutions Of TIE etates intended merely
and enforce the hory OF the aud
the laws at another time the body praCipes
and which utterly Inconsistent with
what it h,d before sol mnly declared.
The result Cf all this is that nobody tell what the
is really W"ged for or what to be lis issue And the
eiest o this upon the people in the revofd
waite he restoration OF the Union upon the Constitu
tion--aud 10 protract hostijes Gd infnma. For what
reasonable hope is there that Contederates will
do their and retarn their allegiance the
sptiOn the Admin aton its efforts reduce them
destro the only OF all the guarantees of liberty
and equality which the Confederate states could have
. the event ct their coming back to their loyalty.
cpl like. but is gross mockery end de-
nson to require people to obedience to Governments
and Jet mi ate them in their dsoyaly to the fundamental
law from which oerVes all the power and authority that
RI uiy POSSESSES They who exact respect to law,
hority people do not faithfully observe the laws
they appointed 10 administer and keep strictly within
the legal limitations Ct The pc" es With which they are
trusted the eope must feel at they can have 10 certain
security their Liberties under sDch rulers Hence
rebellion, where rebeIIOl has preceded desp0c
of power by the Government such uDlo
power put down not oily lslifes sistence in
beion originally unustifabe but drives TO extreme
which finally jyolyes The whole in revolution
, archy.
And this, fear ia the disastrous END which The mad
passions CT fanatics Washington rapidly pushing the
country Under their baGeIu Influence, for the vim
dicatIon of constitute al authority fast drifting a
Inlet Wlt u any aim but e conquest or e1 ernInatIon
IT several millions OF peOpe and without
her Inspiration than that of blind and hae-
Such be barbarous, desruct ntermina-
BILE 1t never least end restoring the civil der
and desiEIed establish If, therefore
ana The it'll aud all wish say-Mr
Lincoln desires, believe he does, to preserve the
Union by reducing the Cou1e TO submission and
bringing into the Federal fol- the States which have
tr it. he nust; ill al bis Efforts to that end, act
cUnstutIonaly.
Every unconstitutional act 30 put down the rebellion
wbejh7r dOHe by him his subOrdinales juses the
be0n whIe encourages ana st eugthens The whole
cfims of the COnedeIaes Consists their
lawful authority. ii, therefore, power
suppress them is unlawful Tesistan it becomes
Inc usUrpaton OF the Government raise
lIal instruction its legitimate authority JUS
and audible contest against military despotsm. We hope
silly, that the war; ghy conducted for liz h
ends be successful. But be successful, its object
s must be gust and its cUnduc lawful.