The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-12-20

Public Sentiment.
During our recent trip TO Ohio. we
made 1t point to gain as much infor
nation as possible concerning the state
OF public feeling in the different States.
The result of our observations and in-
ves,gations may BE- summed up in q
few words.
The great heart of the people is right,
but the party leaders and demagogues
are endeasoring in many place. and un-
der various pretences, 10 divide the peo-
pie in sentiment on the great question
Of the day-the suppression of the Re-
bellion.
About nine out of ten express de.
sire for the restoration of the Union
Two-thirds of these nine-ten.hs { we
think this is about the proportion) are
for putting the rebellion down at any
cost, and without regard to other ques-
lions. If Slavery stands in the way of
the Union. let it 60 to destruction. One
government. one nation, one people.
This is the real feeling which prevails,
and these are al in favor of the Eman-
cipation proclamation.
The other third are divided on some
of the side-issues. They are in favor
Of preserving the Union; but they are
very tender on the subject of Slavery.
With some of them it is quite as sacred
a. the Union. With others the system,
as such. finds less favor; but they are
terribly alarmed for fear the negroes. if
set free, will rush 10 the North, and over
flowing the country like the frogs Of
Egyp.greatly reduce the price of labor:
and hence become . curse to the free
laboring classes. Others still fear that
emancipation will be the beginning of
equality between the two races. which
will result in amalgamation. This third.
therefore. is divided up into various
shades Of opinion. and though not fully
right all the way. are generally Cor a
vigorous prosecution of the war. Some
Of them. however, would compromise
with the rebels if it could be done.
In addition to these there are few
whom it viii do no injustice 70 demon
mate traitors. They evidently have
more sympathy for JEFF Davis and the
Southern Confederay than for Mr.. Lin
coin and the Federal Union. Though
small in numbers compared with the
great m .ss OF the people. they are active
in secret and to al appearances so or
ganized and combined as to be rather
formidable for mischief, should favor
able opportunity occur for them to show
their hand openly.
You may know this class by the gen.
eral tone Of their conversation. They
charge The war upon the aboli:ionis,s
Of the North. They sometimes 60 SO
far as to say that the Southern rebels
are engaged in holy work, and COM
pare them to the Revolutionary fathers;
and they are invariably for a comprom-
Use, which. when you arrive at their
meaning of it, means for the govern
mrnt TO lay down its arms and accept
such terms rs rebels shall dictate ss
the price for their return to the Union !
We consider these Northern traitors
far worse than those who are arrayed
under the banners Of secession.
We took some pains 10 ascertain the
real feelings of men who we're tender
on The Slavery question, and found
very few who were at hear, thoroughly
Union. We noted one fact particularly,
that whenever a man charged the war
upon the abolitionists he invariably
proved unsound, and Was either half
hearted or . whole hearted traitor.
There is some division of opinion
among Union men as to the Emancipa-
tion Proclamation as question of pol
icy or war measure. Many Demo
Gratis and . few Republicans have their
misgivings As to the utility or good ef-
fects Of the measure; but sce have yet to
find tie first friend Of tile Proclamation
vho Is not heart and soul for the crush
ing out Of The rs6sllion and the restoration
Of tie authority ef the government over
all the seeded States.
These are significant facts, and they
should have weight with all loyal men.
II any course Of policy is favorable to
the rebels and pleases them. as does
opposition TO the Proclamation. then
loyal men should sbun that way and
walk another.