The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1863-03-19
John j. crittenden on the Objects and
Means of Prosecuting the War.

gress, Feb. rs, 1868, the CONSUMPTION bill
being under consideration, and Thomas of
Massachusetts, having spoken in opposition
to some of its provisions, yet still claiming
that the government should employ all its
powers in prosecuting the war for the sup
preston Of the rebellion, Mr.. Crittenden fol-
lowed in speech. which we copy below,
showing that the object of the ,oar has been
! departed from by the Abolition Congress and
Executive, and that instead of being an ex-
ercise of military power for the restoration
of the Union under the Constitution, it has
come to be mere conflict by those in power
for the abolition of slavery. The reader
will be deeply impressed by the many
| solemn truths uttered by Mr.. Crittenden,
showing, in effect that this is a war for
abolition and not for the Union--that is
prosecuted by unconstitutional measures for
unconstitutional objects-aud that, therefore,
under such direction it cannot be and ought
not to be successful. The general views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Crttenden in this speech, as
to the proper objects and constitutional mode
| of conducting the war-if war, which we
deny, was necessary at all-are those which
we have entertained from the beginning of
the lamentable strife. This speech in our
opinion, is the very best and greatest of his
life:
Mr.. CRITrENDEN Mr.. Speaker, rise to
address the House under circumstances of,
| perhaps, greater embarrassment then have
ever done before since 1 have been a men,
Der of this body. We are, as my honorable
friend who has just taken his seat Mr..
Thomas, of Massachusetts, has said, nearly
/ at the end of our session; many of us nearly
at the close of our public life. During the
time have been a member Of this body l
have endeavored to do whatever I could
conscentiously do to contribute for the sup
preston of this rebellion. shall, however,
make no pretensions of my patriotism. Our
acts are to speak for US. They are to go be-
| fore the country, and the people will decide.
l am satisfied to abide their Judgment.
The measure, it seems to me, is but the
natural result of the course of policy which
this Congress has pursued from the COM
mencement, or very near the commence
ment of this war.
When this war first broke out it was
national war, with single national object;
and upon that one purpose and object all
hearts were united. That object was the
establishment of this great Republic-our
Republic. Upon that great object, repeat.
we were all united. There was no division;
and in order to satisfy the country more eff
| fectually of the fact of our unity, but little
more than eighteen months ago resolution
offered by me was passed, almost uuani-
mously. declaring that this was our sole OBJ
ject. We then declared that this was our
only object. We pledged ourselves that no
interference should be made in any Of tho
institutions of the States, having especial
reference to the institutions of slavery.
Mr.. Speaker had the pledges then SOL
emnly made by this Congress been adhered
to, how different would be the condition of
the country to-day. There was then but
one sentiment pervading the whole people
of the country. The people then focked to
| your standard by hundreds of thousands, NIL
ing the ranks of such an army as the world
never saw. There was then but one senti-
N ent in the people of the country. No CO.
| ereon was then talked of. What has pro-
duced the change that now presents itself?
What as my friend from M assac husetts says,
has united the South in one solid iron phal-
anx2 What has crushed out, and destroyed
to great extent, if not wholly, the conf
deuce and enthusiasm that swelled up in the
| heart of the people of the nation? What
| mas QOU0 all OI LQlS! Ii 10 Q6pdltilIS
| from our faith. It is our departing from
| that object which we declared to be the only
| Just and patriotic one. What else has done
J it2 Have you not departed from the policy
of that faith? Have you not, in manner
| considered per6dious, violated the pledges
which you gave the country more than eigh
I teen months ago? Was there any discon-
/ tent expressed at that time? l heard of
none. The hearts of the loyal people North
! and South were fred with common pur-
pose to preserve the integrity and honor of
] the RepH bile. Every man felt himself un-
/ der every honorable obligation to step for
: ward, abandon his private affairs and look
/ after the welfare of the Union. That was
the undivided pervading, patriotic senti-
+, ment of the whole body of the people. NO.
where in the North or Northwest was heard
| murmur of discomfort; and the same con-
&; fidence and patriotic feeling was as strong
among the Union men of the border States
!, as it was anywhere in the North and West.
1t was everywhere the same. We were
willing to suffer to the last extremity to
preserve the Government. That was the
feeling of the pc ople then; we all know it.
:; What has brought this mighty change!
: What has done it, Mr.. Speaker? Do not
: we all know? Can there be any doubt on
the subject? 1t has been our in6delity tc
the pledges made to the people. IL has
been because of the reckless course of the
dominant power. 1t is because of the i'm
policy of which Congress has been guilty
D Is it not time to learn that the course W.
q have pursued and are pursuing has produced
: state of division and dissenslon even II
. the remaining States? Yes, sir; the policy
t that has been recently pursued has been th'
fruitful source of these disastrous dissenslons
q 1t has been our departure from our policy o
IS not attacking the institution ofslayery and
iohting only for the Government, for th'