The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-07-04
ELKTON. JULY 4. 1850.
Side Issues What arc Vkcyl

SA0e Issues " KAT arc VEcyY
The political tricksters, who for year or
two past have been acting in conjunction
with the Union party in Maryland, but are
now insidlously endesvoring to get up an
organization antagonistic to the Administra-
ton, are continually Cabling about ignor-
ing all side issues" or keeping them in
subordinA,ion to the great National issue
And to many weak minds such twaGdle
appears, ut the first blush sensible and
patriotic. A moments reflection. however,
is all that is necessary to reveal the sophis.
try, the entire falseness, of the logic which
assumes there can be Z" side issues in such
contest as that in which we are engaged.
a war the most foul and nprovoked Of
any recorded in history, is being wnged
against the Government by u band Of armed
and desperate consplrators; and the Gov
eminent is engaged with them in u hand to.
hand struggle for existence. Is it not then
| the right Of the Government to avail itself
Of every means necessary for the prescrva-
ton Of its existence! Nays it not its
duty to seize upon every weapon offensive,
as well rs dcfensve-and use it for the sup.
preston Of the Rebellion and the preserva.
ton Of the Nations life? We contend that
it is, and are confident no patriot will dis.
sent from our view Of the subject SO far,
so good. Let us proceed step further.
The Administration-th President and
his constitutional advisers. believing the
emancipation Of the slaves in the rebellious
States indispensable for the suppression of
the Rebellion and the restoration of the
Onion, issued proclamation declaring said
| slaves forever free. And the wisest and
best men of the Countrywide men who
heartily desire speedy and permanent
peace, sustain the Administration and en-.
dorse its action as a sound and necessary
war policy. The question that arises Is
the Emancipation policy Of the Government
as enunciated in the PRESIDENT proclama.
ion good or bad polcy9 is easily an.
swercd by determining whether it is good
or bad policy to take an enemy's property
and use 1t for your own preservation and
his destruction. 1t is immaterial what that
property may be-whsther guns, horses or
negroes. To the simple question, is the
use or destruction of the property of an
enemy, in time Of war, wisdom or folly,
good policy or bad policy? No one but a
fool or traitor can give any but an aiiirma.
tive answer. Very well--what then? In
Maryland which is loyal State--loyal in
spite of her rebels and slases--the Admin.
istrat!on deems it advisable that some
policy of Emancipation should be inaugu.
rated so that the melting cause Of the Rebel.
lion may be removed with as little distur.
bance to the people, and as little loss to the
material interests of the State, as possible.
Is this wisdom or folly-is it good policy or
bad policy? very large proportion of
the leading Cnonists of the State and of
the country, believe that it is u good and
wise policy, and that the sooner the nita.
tory steps toward Emancipation are taken
the better. Here then we stand. The men
who wish TO see the Rebellion put down
and the war ended are anxious tn sustain
the whole war policy Of the resident, and
to take advantage of every thing that will
hasten these events. Whatever measure
will do so they deem of material and vital
Importance, and hasten to embrace and
give it n hearty support For this reason
and this alone, they favor a speedy and
forcible Emancipation in the reyolted States,
and gradual and peacenble Emancipation
in the States in which the Rebellion was
kept down by tight and timely grasp Of
the Administrations
But we must ignore all /" side issues" the
politicians and half hearted Unonists tell
MS, for fear Of dstracting and dividing the
Union party; and the negro question, in
their opinion, is chlefrst among "side
issues Rather than have the peculiar
institution disturbed they will submit to
divided { MON and dishonorablc peace
for in spite of all the political slang about
agitating the slavery question and needless.
ly exciting the people at this time, the long
and the short of the whole matter is that
the Rebellion will never be put down while
slavery exists in the country, and the soon.
er we accept that fact the sooner We will
end the war by striking at its melting cause,
and main stay. The people of Maryland
see this, and know that the Emancipation
question instead of being a side issue, is an
issue Of The most vital Importance; and
they are ready and willing to meet and set.
tie it,