Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-08-30
Gbe Obipll 9tatesmlllam
The Future Policy of the Ad-
fjl ministration. lg
AN IMPORTANT DOC UMENT.
Letter from Hon. VIM. Whiting, soIioi-
tor of the War Department. X


tor of the War Department. \.
e.a. aItl1
From the New York Tribune Of August IL, ls6sII
To the Uaion League of PHILADELPHIA;
GENTLEMBN:--Your letter has been received
In which you have done me the honor Of re-
questing me to address the members of the
Union League Of Philadelphia upon subjects
connected with the present state Of public Of.
fairs. yia .fI
have expected, until recently, to be able 20
comply with your invitation; but as my engage
ments will, for the present, place IL out Of my
power TO do 90, Ibeg permission to make fe v
suggestions for your consideration.
DANGERS IN THE PRESENT CRISIS OF THE wAR.
However brilliant the success of our military
operations has been, the country is encompass.
cd by dangers. Two wars are still waged be-
tween the citizens of the United Sates---a war
Of arms and war of ideas. Achievements In
the field cannot much outstrip the victories of
the forum. While we fix our attention upon
the checkered fortunes of our heroic soldiers,
and trace their marches over hills and villages
made memorable through all time BY their dis.
asters or their triumphs; while we are filed
With alternating hopes aud fears, with exulta-
tlons and dissppointments; while our brothers
and eons are rudely torn from their homes, and
the weeds of the mother and sister record in
the family the fearful glory of the fallen brave;
while the movements Of our vast armies, In ali
the p0mp, pride and circumstances VI glorious
war-the thunder of their guns-the news OF
their brilliant successes fill the head and the
heart, let us not forget that there 10 another
wsr wsged by men not less brave, for victories
not less renowned, than are won on battle.
| fields.
The deadly struggle is between civilization
and barbarism-Ffeedom and Slavery-repub-
licanlsm and istocracy-loyalty and treason
The true patriot will watch with profound In
terest the fortunes ofthis intellectual and NOR
al conflict, because the issue involves the
country's Gafety, prosperity and honor. II vlcto-
~ shall crown the efforts Of these brave men
who believe and trust In God, then shall ell
this bloody sacrifice be concentrated, and the
years Of suffering shall exalt us among the ma
tions; If We fail, no triumph Of the brute force
can compensate the world for our unfathomabIe
degradation.
Let US then endeavor to appreciate the diff
culties Of our present position. 4
OF several subjects to which, were It nov 10
my power. would ask your present attention,
l o2n speak OF only one. ,-r. ..'l o.. .5sl
AS the success of the Union cause shall be.
come more certain and apparent TO the enemy
In various localities, they will lay down their
arms and cease fighting. Their bitter and deep
rooted hatred OF the Government and Of all
Northern men who are not traitors, aud Of all
Southern men who are loyal, will still remain
interviewer In every fibre of their hearts and
will be made, If possible, more intense BY the
humiliation Of conquest and subjugation. The
foot OF the conquer0r planted upon their proud
necks will not sweeten their tempers, and their
defiant and treacherous natlrs 'Sill seek to re-,
venge Itself In murders, asssssinations, and all
underhand methods Of venting q spite which
they dare not manifest by open war, and In
driving out Of their borders all loyal men. To
suppose that Union sentiment will remain In
any considerable number Of men, among peo.
| pie who have strained every nerve and made
every sacrifice to destroy the Union, Indicates
dishonesty, insanity, or feebleneas Of intellect.
The Inhabitants Of the conquered districts
will begin BY claiming their rights to exercise
the powers OF government, and under the con.
struction OF State rights, 10 get control Of the
lsnds, personal property, slaves, free blacks,
and poor whites, and legalized power, through
the fundamentally Of State laws, made 10 an,
swer their own purposes, TO oppose aud prevent
the execution OF the Consultation and laws Of
the United States, within districts OF the coun
| try inhabited by them. .l ''f
Thus for instance: When South Carolina
shall have ceased fighting she will say to the
President, "We have now laid down our arms;
we submit to the authority OF The United States
Government. You may restore your Custom
House, your Courts Of Justioe; and II We bold
any public property, we giveit up; We now have
chosen Senators and Representatives to Con
gress, and demand their admission, aud the full
establishment OF oil our State rights and oul
restoration 70 ell our former privileges and i'm
| munity as citizens of the United States."
| This demand 10 made by men who are traitors
In heart; men who hate and desplse the Union
men who never had patriotic sentiment; mer
who, II they could, would hang every friend O
the Government. But for the sake of gettin,
power into their own hands by cur concession
which they could not obtain by fighting, and 70
the sake Of avoiding their national crimes, the,
will demand restoration under the guise o
claiming State rights. aqs 4
What will be the consequence Of Welding b
ihia demandf ttsf5se.'.,5 sd. -
They viii gain the right of managing thei
affairs according 70 their will and pleasure, an,
mot according 70 the will and pleasure of the peo
pie Of the United States. -
They will be enabled BY their intervention o
their State laws and State courts to put an.
maintain themselves in eifectual end perpetua
opposition 20 the laws and Constitution Of th,
United States, as they have done for thirty.fiv
/ years past. They will have the power to pas
such local laws as will effectualiy exclude Al
i Northern men, al soldiers, all free blacks an
ali persons and things which shall be incpnssten
with the theory of making slavery the cornei
atnna 0f THAR looaI Govarp rnapt. and thav n, a