The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-02-20
UPPER sANDUskY. o.
Friday Morning---Feb. 20, 1868
Constitutional war.

went to their sympathies Tor secession'
that the present war which is being wag-
ed for the suppression Of this unholy re.
cbellion, is not being carried on in sccor'
dance with the Constitution. That the
Government in its manner Of prosecuting
sths war, and in the means it has adopted
for the protection Of itself against armed
traitors, has not been governed by the
Constitution.
y Now suppose that this WAS even true
suppose the Government has, in some in
stances. gone to the extreme verge of its
authority, and even in some instances
gonebeyond what strict rules of construc.
tion would justify. What then? Was
the Constitution framed for an emergency
like the present! Did its illustrious fra.
nnsrs anticipate that any portion of their
degenerate sons would concoct such all
internal Rebellion? II they had contem-
PLAYED it, they doubtless would have more
fully. defined the duties Of those in con-
lrole Of the Government, when placed un-
der such circumstances. But they did not,
and as consequence, the Constitution is
wholly silent as to what nstrumentslities
shall, or may be made use Of in such
contingency.
But again. Ifan assassin presents
pistol to your head, or is about to plunge
the glttering blade Of an Arkansas tooth
pick'i nto your heart; or to beat out your
brains with bludgeon; is it expected
that you viii stop to consult Blackstone
as to the technical rules Of self defense?
Or rather, would you not use Whatever
means you had in your power to save
your life first, and consult authorities af-
terwards? All that the law would require
Of you under such circumstances would
be, to use no more force than you had rea
son 10 believe to be necessary to save your
lie; and under that limitation, you might
iuAict upon your adversary any punish
ment, even TO the taking Of his life.
va Then can it be possible that true
friend to his Government, will refuse to
extend to it the same right? The right
that the laws of our country extends to
. the poorest and vilest being that might
claim their protection. A friend of his
country does not indulge in such trivial
and captious objections, when he sees
the very life Of his Government at stake
--sees armed and organized traitors, in
stigated by all the hatred and malice that
is said to instigate the fends of hell, stri-
a king at the very heart Of his Government;
he is willing to allow it to do what is ne.
cssssry to save its existance; even to the
cofscstion Of the property, and the erter-
saination of the traitors, the owners there,
Of, that may be found either South oil
North, plotting, or openly attempting the
destruction Of his Government. None bu
black hearted traitors would do otherwise
But it is not true that the Constitution
| has been violated in the prosecution of the
q war, for it happens that it does not define
how such war, or in fact any kind of a
war, shall be prosecuted, but confers tina,
authority upon Congress. II Congress
\ shall fail to define the rules and regula.
aitious necessary for the government Of the
army, then it will be governed by the re.
cognized rules and regulations of war
under the directions Of the President Of
Z the United States, whom the Constitution
makes the Commauder-in.chief.
But it is objected that the Presiden
has disregarded the Constitution, in is
4 suing his Proclamation, liberating tn,
slaves ofrcbels. Suppose this were true
Hsvo rebels?--have men, who have re
pudiated the Constitution aud Govern
ment, and set up a Constitution and Gov
sernment Of their own; Men who hav
to perjury added "bloody treason" an,
who scorn the protection of our Govern
ment. any rights under the Constitu
ticn! No. and the persons who set u
the claim, must know it, 1t is sham
: mere pretensc; an excuse to cover sym
pathy for traitors. Such men have n
word ofsympathy for the wives that ar
!. made widows; the children that aae mad
2 orphans; and the mothers that are mad
childless, by the loss Of husbands, faith
Aec anI sopa chat have J,aJ Jaf, IL