The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-01-21
W00DSFIELD MONROE COUNTY. OHIO, JANUARY 81 1863

the landed estate is to be forfeited, will it
not all be given to them as its lawful in
heritors2 What then is to become of the
white race? Either determination or re-
moval must follow, or if they remain they
will be reduced to the most abject poverty;
instead of raising tho standard of the
Ignorant whites" as some call them, it
will reduce all to that level.
But the saddest and most deplorable
effect of the proclamation will be to fire
the whole South into one burning mass of
inextinguishable hate and study for re-
venge, and to utterly destroy all hope of
restoring the Union. This war was un-
dertaken for that purpose alone-itwas to
put down the rebellion in order that the
ancient limits of the nation and the in
tegrity of the Constitution might be main
tanned. But what hope can there be of
bringing about such desirable results, if
the attempt is made to strip the entire
South bare of all estate, real, personal and
mixed? 1t will produce such. a spirit of
antagonism, such fierce and uncom-
promising resistance, that no after propo-
sition will be heed, and will, of necessity,
compel the Southern people to fight as
those can fight who fight for their homes
and their families and all that makes life
dear. And then, too, what future does
! it present to the occupants of the Missis-
sippi Valley? Of what value will be the
use of tho great artery of our commerce,
when it leads us through desolated fields
or to the barren agriculture of lazy,
Ignorant race who produce nothing to
tempt enterprise, and whose sole idea of
liberty is to live without labor? The en-
tire upper regions of the Ohio and Mis-
sissippiis vitality interviewer in the defeat
of this monstrous edict. 1t will reach to
every farm and workshop of that vast
region, and it will destroy the best market
for whatever the industry of the people
might produce. will not pursue these
views any further-they are suggestions
that must sink deep into the mind of eve
ry statesman.
But By far the most alarming aspect in
which the proclamation presents itself is
its usurpations of the powers of the Gov
ernment upon the specious pretsxt that
the President sincerely believes it to be
in act of justice, warranted by the Con-
stitution upon military necessity" IF
military necessity is not to be measured
free people. The sword has become
paramount, and the civil authority sub
ordinate. The monstrous doctrine has
already received an indignant rebuke from
the people themselves. The great States
of New York, Ohio, Indiana, New Jer-
| sey and Illinois, in their recent elections,
have put their veto upon it; and later re-
turns Indicate that Connections and other
parts of New England will soon add their
emphatic condemnation. Indeed, it is ap-
parent that the people are asoused to the
sense of the danger that threatens their
constitutional liberties, and will, in good
time, come to the rescue. Until that day,
which is unquestionably near at hand,
arrives, it becomes Kentucky to maintain
the position she has hitherto occupied.
Let her not abate one jot or little of her
opposition to Secession or Abolition, bat
let her poise herself upon the great truth
that man is capable of f-goyernment,
and that God designs this country fer a
great, free and happy people, and
shape her policy to that great end. In
the meantime the Legislature would do
well to follow the example of our Ken
lucky fathers, and place upon her records
a protest against the proclamation, and
reatfirm the great principles of American
liberty-State and national.
In conclusion, I may be permitted to
remark that the distressing calamities of
the past year teach us an important les
son. During the long period of our ma
tional independence, God has favored US
las he has favored no other nation. He
blessed the Union of these States, and
under the Constitution of our fathers the
people wore prosperous and happy. Man
| in the madness of his ambition, or through
the insanity of discomfort, undertook to
sever the bonds by. which We were
: united, and ruin and desolation have fol-
lowed. The wrath of man has been let
loose, and it has shown us what fearful
penalty awaits those who misuse the good
ness Of Provideaceas Yet our Heavenly
Father has claims upon our gratitude for
the mercies He has mixed with his chas-
tisement. He has caused the earth to be
prodigal in its yield. The seed time and
:. harvest have come in their season, and the
garners have been filed to soyerfowing
with the abundance of the past year
He has tempered the winds and SO directed
all the clements of life, that the pestilence
: (that walketh at noon-day has not placed
its foot within our borders, and health
has been vouchsafed to US in an unusual
degree. For these and all His blessings
to us, we, the people should praise him.
j. j. ROBINSON.
January 3, 1868.
HOW AN AMERICAN MOTHER