Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-19
Views Of "a south e rncr.
To The Editors offhe Richmond Enquirer.

GENTLEMEN: I have been a subscriber to the
Richmond Enquirer, since June, 1877. shall
presume on this long acquaintance, so far as to
give expression to few thoughts on the present
perilOus condition of our beloved Confederacy.
Though unknowing and unknown, take not
less interest in it's present and prospective des-
tinv
We are in the midst of desolating war
whether wisely or fooIishly begun. it is too late
now TO discuss. The question of successful re
sistance alone must occupy public attention. In
view of the vast preparations OF the enemy for
our suhjugation. IL Is n matter of grave astonsh
ment that our public men should waste their time
in clamoring and clubbing about State rights,
habeas corpus. constitutional limitation, and
all that Why. sir. have they not vet
realized the solemn truth that a war for self
existence, as this is, is suspension of all law
all gospel. all written constitutions. whenever
and wherever they contravene our success
With the enemy at the door. these otherwise
inestimable rights and blessings are placed in
abeyance tor the public welfare pendentete. The
great and paramount desideratum is how To con
duct the var a successful termination; to up
hold that army IN number. discipline and supplies
il the sine qad non of our success; To wrange and
cavil about the means. is to trihe with the sub
ject. The patient in the throes and agonies of
death canuot wait the slow decision of your board
covery. Lee army on the Rappahannock must
perish, disband or fall back under the six weeks
discussion of market prices. just compen-
satlOn, &c. Was there ever such insanity on
the part of Legislators before? / am an old
man, and must therefore, speak plainly; the
alarming exgencies of the times demand it;
nothing but that this Congress
should clothe the President with full power
over purse and sword to conduct this war to its
C-lx 4
but for substance; we care not for forms or
names so achieve our ends. Democratic as
sembes are clogs upon our success; they have
been emincntly so this winter. IL must have
been obvious to any man of common sense. at
the beginning, that this war would terminate IN
military despotism on both sides From the very
nature Of the case it is inevitable. as the strife
becomes more bitter and acrimonious each dav;
the struggle more and more doubtful. each
will resort 10 the strongest measures for sue
cess. The Yankees have already adopted this
policy: they care not for names. but for things;
not for shadows, but practical results They
have merged all other questions in that of con
quest; shall statesmen set down with fet-
tered limbs and calmly wait the concentrated at.
tack of three millions of men, guided by one
mind and sustained by one purse aud sword 2
Democratic declarations about the inalienab'e
rights of man and his capacity for selfgovern-
ment will not stay the alarm. This idOlatrOuS
worship Of Democratic forms Of Government has
had is day: 1t is now phase of past society with
the sardonic grin OF death upon its face 1t may
do in times OF peace and plenty. but when popu-
lation presses upon the means OF subsistence.
when gastric disturbances no longer observe the
nice distinctions between neum and teum all
history attests its failure. and the necessity of
some stern power to protect the minority from
the minority.
1t YOU think these suggestions have any value,
you may use them as YOU please The ONLY re.
markable feature about them is, they emanate
rom Democrat OF forty years standing.
SESEx.