Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-14
The OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Us.

1t is not to be denied that since the commence
ment of this war, theories of very opposite
character. respecting its prosecution and termin
alton, have claimed the attention and exceptance
of the public mind We have passed through
several different phases of this subject. until we
have at length reached the development of doc
trines which challenge the scrutiny of every pa
triot and may well awaken our deepest solcitude
We are brought to an issue which is to determine,
according as we embrace or as we reject it,
whether the fundamental principles of the Union
and the framework Of the Constitution are to be
preserved, or whether they are TO give place to a
system founded in mere force. Strong currents
Of public opinion, set in motion by the most rad
cal and fanatcal spirits among US, are apparently
tending to objects that have not heretofore been
recognized AS the legitimate objects of the war;
and TO the influence Of the radicals and fanatics in
producing those currents of opinion is TO be ad-
ded the influence derived from some acts of the
President OF the United States who has certainly
been led away from his earlier purposes and con-
victions by faction OF the party which placed
him in the executive chair. What the new OBJ
iects of the war. Ia, which we seem 10 be tending
are. is indicated by the sentiment, frequently
heard now. but never entertained by the outset,
that the war is not to end until slavery is extir-
Pated. This idea, more or less vague in the
minds of men, has OF late received an impulse
from the PRONUNCIATION OF aiefnre means By
which it is to be carried out That means is of
fered to US in the announcement OF theory
which presents the Southern States as commrn
ties which we have right 20 conquer. and to
treat conquered countries when we have
achieved the victory. This theory, as the oppo
site of that which regards these states as the To-
against the authority of the Federal Union we
purpose to examine with care aud at sothe length
Ii may not be Convenient for Us to place our dis
cu~iors of this subject in successive issues of
our paper: but our readers viii preserve the con
tinuity by looking at the heading which is placed
at >ae eommenctment of the present. article.
The most mDmentogs question that is now be-
fore the Americah people relates to the mode in
which restoration of the Union can be effected
consistently with their own future welfare and
safety. On this question they must think as wen
as act. and must think before they act To aid
them in the formation of their opinions by TEN
perate and calm discussion should be the purpose
Of every patriotic Journalist and every respectable
We assume that there are two, and but two,
theories on which the people of the so called Sc
ceded States can ever be brought again into po-
iticat relations with the people Of the remaining
States, IS result Of war. If, Indeed, il would
become possible for the contendng forces to
agree upon cessation Of arms, and the people of
all the States could meet in national convention,
or other representative body, tor the establish
ment Of a new national or fedcratiye system,
thsre might be several modes OF reconsiruciion
to be considered But taking the supposition that
we are to continue fighting for restoration of
the Union, and assuming further that the people
of the North are 10 determine At what they are to
aim, in the prosecution of the war, as a means Of
restoring the Uaion-or, in other words, that they
desire 10 act upon definite ideas OF who they wish
to bring about-shen we say that they must ex
anime and compare TO opposite plans, and. ..must
determine between them for veal or woe.
( One of these plans Is to conquer the Southern
States, as States and after the conquest has been
effected TO deal with them rs conquered countries
admitting them again into the Union on such
conditions as we may choose 20 impose. or hold
ing them as dependent provinces. This is the
real meaning of prosecuting the war until slave
nv is exterminated-' So long as the is pros
eeuted by the Federsl Government as war
against armed combinations OF individuals who
are in rebellion against the United States, and
who have nnlawfully seized upon the territory
and political machinery of those States there can
be no extermnation of slavery, because as soon
as the insurrection is queled in any State its re
lation 20 the Union is restored. and all its nsti
tufions remain Just what they we're unjes its own
constitution and the Constitution OF the United
states. To change the institutions. therefore. Of
any Southern State, the State. as political cor
poration or self existing body polite and membes
of the Union. must be suppressed: and IL this can
be done at all, it can be done only b. territori
Al conquest. which substitutes the conqueror III
the place of the former government of the cor
quered territory. This Is we'll understood by