The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1863-08-19

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friendship OF neighboring States for hel i'm
mediate defence.
But II is not the mismanagement of par
:icnlar military operations, nor other mere
error of policy of our rulers, that has sunk
INTO the hearts of freemen as mat er o.
most deep and enduring complaint. Mere
mlsmanagement or error may be imputed
10 inexperience in war, TO accident, to ex-
ceptlonal or temporary causes, or, at the
worst, TO incompetency But what shall be
said oil acts OF Congress and acts OF the
Executive IN contempt of the Constitution,
which. bearing upon the war, have pro-
traeled It united the enemy, divided our
OWE people, and placed us in a false posi-
lion before The nations of the earth? The
Confisca;ion Act and The Emancipation
PROCLAMATION are. in the opinion OF large
part OF our people, not only snwise and
injurious TO our cause, but also wholly un ].
authorized by any principle of belligerent
or constitutional law. We need 60 but
little way beyond the doctrine of hese
measures before we conclude that the torch
may be applied 10 entire towns, ard |; SER
vile, savage race be let loose 10 works of
rapine and barharic war.
But not merely in the policy of the war
in our relations with the enemy.-has
Illegally, with consequen: evil, appeared
In these Northern States, wholly untouched
by revolt, The public sense has been out
ragged BY repeated and fragrant acts of arbi
trary power The enumeration of these
would constitute volume, and thew fur
nish premoniiion of evil in the future
which every patriotic mind should view
with deep apprehension. How long can
the law be habitually and Extensively bro
ken by the public authorities, IN peaceful
and free communities, before resistance
will be provoked and reign of social dis
order established?
Thus upon reviewing our affairs, we per.
ceive how the spirit of revolution-hat is
of disregard and opposition 10 law-has
worked 10 our injury; how il presses upon
Us with heavy hand at the present mo
ment, ard threatens our future welfare
And we discover also the parties or interests
who are, in this connection, chargeable
with gnilt. The picture is dark and gloomy
enough TO create both adherence and fear
Unfortunately there is no certainty of the
amendment OF our affairs by parties or adj
ministraiions now in possession of power.
The AboIltionist stands impiacable and in-
soent of old, and gives perverted jirec-
tion 10 the war. The Republican party,
incapable and prone TO abuse, has control
of the Federal Government and of most OF
the State Governments North and West;
ard the Confederate government irimical
to reunion, holds position in the South =
From none OF these can we expect the firm
establishment of union, order, liberty and
law. We are moi TO look TO The guilty for
salvation, nor TO those who break the laws
for their restoration. The Aboiiionist, the
Secessiorist, and the Republican Aeminis-
lration and party, have each gone away
from the laws Of the land, and il is because
OF their unfailhfulness TO duty that wasting
war and the other evils before mentioned
afflIct the country. II is idle TO expect from
either The restoratian of good government,
and firm Union based upon the affections
OF the people.
But for all the wrong that has been done,
and for all the consequent calsmities that
have fallen upon US, the great majority of
the people OF the United States are not re-
sponsible-at least not responsible in the
sense of having intended them. And there
can be no question that if that majority
could now aci directly and fully upon pub
lie affairs, they would decree immediate
peace, union and lawful rule, as they ex-
listed in former times, and would pu. down,
or put aside, all who would venture TO op-
pose, or would seek 10 delay, the realization
OF these great objects. The AboIitionists
proper never commanded majority, even
in the North; the Republican party was in
a minority of nearly a million OF votes al
the Presidential election of 1860, and it is
believed that majority of the Southern peo-
pie were opposed 10 secession even after
that election, and abandoned their Union
ism reluctantly, under the pressure OF SUBJ
sequen; events.
In poin, offact, active earnest minorities.
North and South, have seized power and
controlled the course of events. and the
great mass oil The people have appeared to
be unable TO direct their own des.iDies and
secure their own welfare. They were pre-
pared al the onset of :he rebellion TO have
maintained peace by some settlement OF
existing difficulties, and if the Criuenden
Compromise had been submitted TO them
it would have been promptly and gladly
But that occasion was permits
ted TO pass by those who could have im-
proved it. War came, and for more than
Two years great, Intelligent and tree peo-
Pile, most earnestly desiring peace, have
been slaughierine each other, accumulating
enormous burdens OF debt 10 press lpon
themselves and upon fufure oenerations