Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-12
The Peace MoVem ents in the North.

The late Peace meeting in New York and the Oeea-
sonal anti war demonstrations that come to US from The
North9est attract but momentary notice, and make
opv the most transient impression. We are engaged
in contest that absorbs the faculties Of every mind
aud the energies Of every nature, aud have not there
fore time 20 be diverted from the great and pressing
work before Us by such episodes and outside shows as
these. The time when watched, with esger inieres
what Northern politicians doing has OF since
passed our whole attention now is tir'etrd To North
cru men in arms The talk that reaches Us nom The
New York meeting Of "f,aity to the Constitution "
war contrary to the COusti uton'-"nO power to CO
cree state" H., s.. sounds Ike the bali remembered
language Of some fairy tale read childhood. Itseems
very long time since they were familiar TO us, and
cherished by U.s. Tucre Cons tuition once which
WAS worthy of the veueraton in which held it and OF
,he eff rts we made to preserve it. Il was designed to
establish Justice insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defence promote the general welfare,
aud secure tie blessings Of liberty and it was eompe
can't 10 do AL these things if the people whom it
blended 70 confer these manifold blessings had had the
Intelligence 20 comprehend and the virtue to enforce il
So long as the purposes Of It's founders were adj
,r.J N that Constitution WIS yeneraJed by every good
citizen But when misconstrued by ignorance or
osryerted by cunning wheh It vas made the means of
iriustice and outrage 70 millions of those who had
reht 70 expect only benefits from it. and when at las
IL was trampled under foot by by the very men who
we're sworn 70 support it-thSn self defence and sell
cancel left the Southern States alternative but to
,phsrtut, for the protection denied them under the
Constitution the independence they knew how to main
tain outside Of it. This tep they took, not hastily
passonatey, but calmly and with lingering reluctance
after an s1p0sulation, appeal and entTeay had failed
,Ger they became fully convinced that nothing could
soften the logged stnacy mitigate the vindc;iye
frenzy Of the North. No concession, no compromise,
mn guarantees were the cries Of those whose hatred Of
"a bad lcDg since poisoned every sentiment of rater-
itv and whose lus. Of dominion sleneed all sense os
,.tce. Everything eviuced that it vas the determine
zen Of the North unwOn,edly and insOlenty bold from
90, ciousness Of superior numbers, 20 subject and
role the free millions OF the Southern States in disre
card Of constitutional restrictions and in derison of
de common rights Of humanity. Fooled in this by the
withdrawal Of nearly al those States from the Union,
their lust, Ike that Of ba-d robbers changed to feroci
and they are now seeking destruction by war the
most b,rbarous and brutal tba, mslgnity cunning and
eowardice ever waged.
A wide sea Of hood now rolls between US and the
States Of the North TIE men there Who stu talk o.
restoring the UlOu, might as well undertake 70 It,
sore the earth TO what before the waters OF the
deuge ssep: over IL. They Pate tondy about frees.
tabI>hing the Constitution" They might as well seek
Tor the lost p lad Tue Uuon aud the Constitution are
dreams Of the past Nothing ia real and present now
bur universal despo,sh tdere and organized murder
aud rapiue here uader the name OF war Ii they are
wise, they will strive TO relieve themselves from the
usurpers and tyrlns who seeking to fetter them
With perpetual bondage. Il We are men, we will strug-
gle vilh al he reso'u,eues5 aud consistency Of men to
i'd ourselves OF the invaders vho olce desecrate and
asspoi the land that belongs 10 These are the az
tsaities Of our situation and the indispensable duties Of
toe occasion Let "a no; be diverted from realizing
former and dsebargiDg the latter by any sren song Of
peace from the North.