The Portland daily press., 1863-12-05


By notice in the columns of the daily
papers we learn that the NJ l.. Association oil
this city are engaged in discussing the follow.
ing resolution:
Resolced, That the course pursued by the
Republican party since its formation is the
cause OF our present difficulties?
We have no disposition to interfere with
their prerogatives, but such proposition as
that contained in the resolution, prompts us
to copy at this time from the Montreal Wit
ness brief article, Giving succinct history
of events in the early days of the rebellion,
which we cut out at the time of its publica-
ton, and which for weeks has been lying upon
our table. The article is in answer to the
question at the head of this, "Who began the
.aghts" and shows how candid, intelligent for
eigners look upon the causes and commence
ment OF our present struggle. Perhaps some
Of the debaters of the aforesaid resolution
may find the facts here given as convenient
for offensive operations against rebellion. We
should think against such an array of histori-
cal facts, each weightier than 450lb solid
shot, and the speech of A. H. Stephens which
we gave few days since, it would be an up
hill business to prove the doctrine affirmed in
the resolution copied above. But here is what
the Witness says:
VINO BEGAN THE FIGHT "A good deal of
abuse has been heaped upon the North for
using, as some allege, force towards the
South. Secessionists themselves have ac-
Hna hat fhax, 81, e-st
TO arms. Is there a nation upon the earth
having particle of national self respect,
which would tamely submit to the dictation
of a minority under such circumstances
From table of remarkable events published
in Southern almanac, we extract the follow
ing:
Dec. %, 1S61.-Capture of Fort Moultrie
and Castle Pinckney by South Carolina troops.
Capt Coste surrenders the revenue-cutter
Aiken"
Jan. 3, 1s62.-Capture of Fort Pulaski by
the Savannah troops.
Jan. 3.-The arsenal at Mount Vernon,
Ala, with 10000 stand of arms, seized by the
Alabama troops.
Jan. fort Morgan, in Mobile Bay, taken
by the Alabama troops.
Jan. 9.-The steamship "Star of the West
fired into and driven Off by the South Caro-
lima batteries on Morris Island. Failure of
thC 6ttCtupt W iCAuipICC EOit lDuIutcIs
Jan. l0.-Forts Jackson, st. Phillip, and
Pike, near New Orleans, captured by the
Louisiana troops.
Jan. 14-Capture of Pensacola Navy-yard,
and Forts Barrancas and McRae, Major Chase
shortly afterwards stakes command, and the
siege Of Fort Pickens commences.
Jan. 13--Surrender of Baton Rouge arse
nal to Louisiana troops.
Jan. 3l.-New Orleans Mint and Custom
house taken.
Feb. 2--Seizure of Little Rock. arsenal by
Arkansas troops.
Feb. 4-Surrendcr of the reyenue-cutter
Cass to the Alabama authorities.
Feb. S.-Provisional Constitution adopted.
Feb. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, and
Alexander II. Stephens, Of Georgia, elected
President and Vice President.
Feb. 16. = Gen. Twggs transfers public
property in Texas to the State authorities.
to Col. Ben. McCulloch aud his Texas ran
gers.
Mar 2.-The revenue cutter Dodge seized
by the Texas authorities.
Now all these were warike and reasonable
acts, and all trere committed before Mr.. Lin
coin entered office. II is simply ridiculous to
say that he commenced the war. On the 18th
OF April, Fort Sumter was bombarded on the
18th it was surrendered; and on the l4th,
cso&aakSls ~ was uOt I'LL tuc idct udtiicu
date that Lincoln issued his first call for vol
nnteers, to put down rebellion in the United
States. With these facts before them, can any
one continue to call the present struggle in
the States Mr.. Lincoln's war?
The Witness feels interested in our struggle
only as it involves great principles, and as its
issues tend to evolve good results to the
world. 1t suggests that no nation on earth,
having particle of self-respect, would tame
ly submit to such outrages as traitors have
perpetrated, and though it deeply deprecates
war, and especially civil war, it consoles itself
with the reflection that "if the freedom of the
"slave result from the present. war, the North
will have fought to some purpose" This
fact will console many. Thousands and hun
dreds of thousands there are, who would
never HAYS lifted finger forcibly to interfere
with the institution of slavery, and who were
never afflicted with the slightest twinges of
conscience on the slavery question, who, now
that the issue has been presented by the
South itself, Slavery cs. the Union, never de-
sire 10 see the sword sheathed until that ac-
cursed institution shall be shorn of all power
for future mischief. The war was never en-
tered upon on our part to uproot slavery or to
free the negroes, but both objects will be ac-
complished, and it will be done in spite-of all
human power to secure other results A man
must be blind to the irresistible tide of events
who can think differently
True the cost Of war is fearful; the sacrifice
Of life and the expenditure of treasure so
great that the American people would suffer
long and deeply before resorting to its terrible
agency to wipe off their reproach, to vindi-
cate their honor, to maintain their flag, and
to punish and snbdue their foes. But liberty
Is sweeter than life. Death is less unendura-
BILE to true and spirited people than dis
honor; and no amount of sacrifice can long
deter such people from rising in the majority
OF their strength and their right, and with
ayenging hand forcing their foes to submits
sion. And they will not stop simply with
punishment for past soroags. Security for
theJutore is as legitinately a right of the
victor as Indemnity for the past. Thisiudem-
nifty the American people are fast accomplish
ing. The security will be insisted upon, and
this can be found in nothing short of the utter
determination Of the causes which led to the
rebellion. Slavery will die in the New World
as Feudalism did in the Old, but not without
sacrifice; less however, infinitely less, both in