Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-03-06


tally wrong. They rested upon the assump-
ton Of the equality OF races. This was an
error. II was sandy foundation, and the
idea Of government built upon it-when
the storm came and the wind blew it fell !
Our new Government is founded upon ex-
actly the opposite ideas; its foundations
are laid, its cornerstone rests upon the great
truth that the negro il not equal to the
white man that Slavery, subordination TO
the superior race, is his natural and moral
condition. This, our new Government, il
the first, in the history of the world, based
upon this great physical, philosophical and
moral truth"
Now, were each and every one Of us to-
tally ignorant Of every previous fact in our
ing those utterances Of one OF the South 9
most trusted and most gifted, - he onos
seemed one ofher most patriotic sons, sup
press the conviction that Slavery Is the first,
last, and only cause Of the rebellion, Of
which he stood forth the able and acknowl-
edged exponent 1t is in vain to say, as
many do, that Slavery is the pretext and
not the cause. Why did they seek the pre-
text? What should excite the desire for
it? The spirit and intent Of treason were
there whence came it? Is there yet some
other influence, not avowed, but more po-
tent than that Of Slavery, and dwaring it
into the littleness Of mere pretext2 No,
not 80. In that peculiar institution" is
found, not only that without which the re-
bellion would never have shown its horrid
front, but the creating and vitalizing power
which gave it life and hurried forward its
blasting steps. When the insurgents clamor
for "ae right Of seIfgorernment," in the
face OF the fact that 10 government has ever
been over them for an hour, but that of their
own choice or their own making, they mean
self government as identified with Slavery,
separate from any possible form of govern
ment not so identified. When they vaunt-
ingly profess to be fighting for ''indepen-
dence," tits for independence of the govern
ment Of their own free and cordial adoption,
because ''the chief stone in its corner" is
not Slavery. When they grind ''the old
Constitution" between their war-clad heels,
and over its PROSTATE columns erect another,
it is that the blood-stained portals of the
new may be the perpetual refuge and citadel
Of Slavery. When they renounce the coun.
try of their birth, and call that part of il
their country, which they can cut off with
the sword, it means that where Slavery i.
not, shall not be their country; and it say
to Slavery "Whither thou goest we will
go; where tkou lodgest, we will lodge th!
people shall be our people; where thou diest
will we die, and there will we be buried.
Do me not the injustice, my friends, Il
suppose that thus speak in any spirit o
fanaticism against the institution of Slavery
or from any unison Of fsentiment with thos
who have SO long disturbed the country witt
demands for its abolition. The views
have entertained for thirty years on tina
subject remain unchanged. But THIS Wal
against the Constitution Of my country ha
DRIVEN me to the conclusions hare cypress
ed, as it has tens of thousands of Others
who, like myself, were never associates
with any party which avowed antagonisn
to Slavery as an article of its political faith
| have uttered the deliberate convictions Q
my judgment, on q subject which could no
be thrust aside in any discussion of the pres
ent aspect of our national affairs and
should have held myself faithess to the sol
emn requirements of this hour, if had fail
ed to speak what believe to be the TRUTH
lest, perchance, it set some teeth on edge
or bring down imprecations on my head.
i What, then, it may be asked, shall b
done with this pernicious cause of revo
and treason? Shall it, as some have urged
!, be summarily destroyed by the strong arr
| Of military power, and the nation at ono
relieved from its baneful influence? In m
judgment, No! The nation need not fes
to let it live out the remainder of its alo
! ted time, and is abundantly able to keep
} within its legitimate sphere, and hold it j
due subjection to constitutional rule. Th
, accursed rebellion can and will be subduee
D without resorting to a measure which woul
, involve the country in endless complication
} and for an indefinite period make one ha
, of the populated portion Ofthe eastern slor
of the continent of little value to Ms or
the world. And we owe a need Of kint
ness to our loyal and faithful brethren
the insurgent States-many thousands
number--who, overborne by the ruthlsl
9 and despotic sway which ever presides ov,
b rebellion, have been forced to stand mu
e and fearful spectators of their country's di
Q honor, and to accept the bitter choice ofin
Q poverishmont, perhaps death, or q sile
!. submission to a power they detest, al
Q whose prostration they will be the first
n welcome. Let not the glorious old Sta
v and Stripes in their victorious progre
g Southwark, be the harbinger to them
# the loss of what the pirate flag they ha
n had spared Let them not be reduced
o the level of the traitors who have domin
! ted their land, nor made to feel that t
l. country, for whose triumph they have sig
ed and prayed, beggars while it embrac
g them.
" But let it ever be manifest that rebelli
,t cannot be otherwise subdued, and that
/, are shut up to choose between our mol
n country, with its priceless constitution, n
" Slavery, then, with every fiber of my hei
Of and every energy Of my nature, I will p'
is along the universal cry Of all parties
re "Down with Slavery Forever - wor
t, then no more hesitate which to choose, tn,
ii in view Of death, would balance betwe
It. eternal life and eternal perdition. Is
a manifestly, the time is not yet, when
q. American people must make that choice.
ok They have but just got ready to strike t
he rebellion, and already the monster rece
nd and staggers under stunning blows. 1
ne power Of this stalwart nation is but beg
N. ming to be felt. The hundred dIys VIII
an beean'at Fort Henry, and have already
at corded. the glory of Fort Donelsoh, Al
llv with Gofs help, will by vivid with an
M broken series OF like achievements, n
al suffice to strike of the hydra's htmd
,t, heads but whether at their end or aft
Vi the nation will come forth from the conf
At, "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, dad
in rible as an army ,oith banners.
re- Let US be patient like Washington,