Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-04


New York Tribune of a recent date, and that
class of fanatics generally, demand that the war
shall be prosecuted to exterminate the white peo-
pie of the rebel States. We protest against such
an infamous proposition as at war with civiliza-
ton, Christianity, manhood and every material,
as well as moral, interest Of the nation. We are
making history for our children. Shall it be one
of honor to which they can point with pride as
not recording any act of inhumanity, or shall
our hitherto proud escutcheon be furnished with
deeds of infamy. such as proposed by the Tribune
and which will make the acts of tyrants which we
have hitherto, as a people, denounced with We
hemence, respectable in comparison? Rebel
atrocities are no Justification for even similar re-
~taliatory acts on our part. If they become in.
human it is no reason. that we should become
savage. There is no necessity for a savage
warfare. Let the President announce that the
war is for the single object of putting down the
rebellion and restoring the Union, leaving all col
lateral issues to he determined after peace is es-
tablshed. and then rising to a comprehension of
the magnitude of the rebellion and of the means
to be employed TO overcome it, appeal to the pat
riotism of his countrymen to put a million of MN
promptly in the field. and we know that the peo-
pie with unanimity and enthusiasm will respond.
But what good motive in exterminating the re
bells of the South? With what new phite race
can we people it who can cultivate its soil2
All of the southern portion of the Union that
is adapted to white labor will. ere long, from
natural causes, be occupied with white men,
In our judgment, if we should destroy the
white population of the rebel States, and oc-
cupy it with an equal number of white Abo-
litionists from the North, it would he but a
few years before there would grow up an equal
diversity of interest and sentiment as now ex
lists, which if not accommodated, would require
similar means to those now being employed to
overcome. The controversy in which the nation
is engaged, the difficulties which environ us,
should be considered from a common sense
stand point, not with prejudice and passion.
Why do we wish to retain the territory Of the
rebellious States Within our domain? We grant
that the glory of empire has its influence. This
sentiment has controlled in every age of the
world. But this is not the only consideration
that does or should govern. Why has emf
grafton been attracted hither from the oppressed
Governments of the old world2 Freedom of
thought, opinion and speech has been a powerful
motive no doubt but none the less the desire to i'm
prove personal condition. Here the avenues to
wealth and honor have been opened to talent, hon.
esty and energy alike. Freedom from taxation and
burdens of Government and the enterprise which
these exemptions fos,ered have given to labor a
reward unequalled in any other nation. These
are the causes which have operated to develop
our progress, prosperity and greatness, such as
no other people have ever achieved. The South
ern States have contributed largely to these re
suits. Her productive industry, far more than
other interest, has supported the of
the nation, which is the main source of every
nations wealth. 1t has the soil, the climate and
the labor to raise one product which has and can
control the of the world, if not de-
stroyed. That product, in its manufacture, fur
nishes employment to myriads of our own labor
ers and those of other nations. And the articles
manufactured from cotton haze become not only
a comfort, but a necessity TO the whole world.
Will not any sensible man admit that it will be
the height of national folly to destroy, wipe out,
this great source of national wealth and happi-
ness? Where then the craftsmanship, the politi-
cal sagacity, the common sense in making, as it
is proposed. the country which alone can produce
this staple, and that too with its present system
of labor, a bowling wildernessG 1t is not only
cotton, but rice, sugar and tobacco. raised by ser
vile labor, That contributes largely to our nation
al wealth and power.
The idea of determination is not only evidence
of stupidity. but insanity. 1t is no greater folly
than for "a man to set fire to his own possessions
to crafty a revenge against a %neighbOr. What
can be gained by destroying the very sources of
wealth which have made US rank with the first
powers of the earth? Would it not be national
suicide so to dor If we had the power to exter-
inmate every white inhabitant of the rebel States,
n what way could it advance the honor or the
interests of the nation? We should lose eight
millions of white population, set free four mil
lions of savages who would be a burden instead
of an advantage. deprive the nation of the i'm
mense yearly productive wealth of the devasta-
ted territory. and in addition create a public debt
which would be a consuming mortgage upon the
property and the industry of the entire population
of the North. What madness, what stupidity,
what folly ia the savage proposition OF extermin-
alton. And such a crime might be retaliated
with a retribution equally terrible. 1t could not
be attempted even without mutual atrocities from
the anticipation of which even, every sane mind
will recoil with horror.
There are certain would be great men who are
traversing the country, protesting to be infu-
enced by the inspiration and council OF DoUG-
LAS. What did he say in his last speech in
Chicago: eve must not invade constitutional
rights. The innocent must not suffer, nor wo-
men and children be the victims. Savages must
not be let loose" Yet some of these very men
are recommending determination. What a libel
upon the memory of DoUGLAsl Let US not dis
grace the American name by permitting any one
to say even we are compelled to resort TO such an
Infamous measure to conquer a foe vastly inferi-
or in number, in arms and equipments. shut out
from the world by the blockade of their ports,
compelled to rely solely upon their own internal
resources, whilst we have the whole world tribu-
tary to US. No, as we have before said. let the
President proclaim and adhere to the policy set
forth in the CRITTENDES resolution, adopted by
Congress on the 22d day of July, 1861. and
crush out tts rebel armies. This done, punish