Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-05-22
For the Delaware Gazette.
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II ID HOH dDOuL LMO years siuCS t1c ptSsSua
war commenced. The time which it has last
ed, and the proportions it has assumed, have
far exceeded all expectations. No one ever
dreamed that so many men would be called in
to the field, or so many battles be fought The
physical resources of the rebel States and the
abilities and determined character of their
leaders, were not appreciated. Few, if any,
predicted long war. Confidence and enthu-
siasm filed the minds Of all. These two years
have been a crowded life to our country and
people. Much treasure has been expended,
and much blood has been shed. There are
none who have not felt the evils of war more
or less keenly- 1t is natural that after two
years of so great a struggle, men should begin
to inquire when and where the end shall be.
It is natural that we should desire to stop the
aow of blood, and return again to the pursuits
and enjOyments of peace. But where shall
we find this white winged messenger? What
ever way we turn our eyes, we see nothing but
the evidences of past, and the preparations
for renewed conflict The end is not yet.
There is no peace. Every day and every hour
forces and fastens this truth upon us more
firmly. The more we look into the case, the
stronger becomes the conviction that a con-
quered peace is the only one that We can ever
obtain. Neither compromise, nor eHtreaty,
nor supplication, nor prostration can secure
this blessing for u.s. We can only secure it
by inYincible determination, and by bearing
the expenses and the sacrifices of the war.
Two such large armies were not called into
the field for nothing. Principles are at stake.
The questions that present themselves must
be settled. They have not come upon US alone
By the caprices and dogmas of men or parties,
but lie at the very bottom of our nature.
However heavily the burdens of war may fall
upon US, it will not do 10 overlook the impor-
tance of the contest-to ourselves, to our pos
terity and to the world. Let US not blind our
eyes. We are not conducting q Presidential
campaign. The contest is not one Of politi-
cal parties, where spoils is the chief incentive
and prejudice the means of success. We are
not left iE any uncertainty in reference TO the
pretensions and purposes Of the rebels, and
there ought not to be any in reference to the way
in which to meet them. Boldly and distinctly
have they told us what they wanted, and their
actions have gone far ahead of their words
Nothing bat willful and perverse blindness can
prevent us from seeing the rebellion in its true
light 1t wears no mask upon its face II
does not try to disguise its features or discolor
its character. 1t is indeed wolf, but it wears
its own clothing. The issue between the loyal
and the rebel States is very plain. 1t could
not be palmer. ave are going to set up a
Government of our own" said Mr.. Jefferson
Davis, "and those who interfere with us shall
smell Southern powder and feel Southern
: steel" The right Of secession has been avow-
ed-.not as remedy for grievances after every
thing else has failed, but right to be exercised
at will without the least accountability to the
General Government. This is the great ques-
ton upon which we have taken issue, and un-
til it shall be settled fully, decisiVely and for
ever, there can be no peace. Those who ig-
Hore this question have, at best, very narrow
view of the situation of the country, and are
not to be trusted with the management of ma
tional affairs. Very few, if any, will say thai
; the pretended right lies with neither the letter
or spirit of the Constitution. It can only be
made good by force of arms. The rebel lead
ers are well aware of this, and have acted ac-
eordiDgly, 1t is equally true that by force o.
/; arms alone can it be resisted.
If once we concede this right of secession
either as right within the Constitution, OF
outside the Constitution, all security for our
: Government will be at an end. There would
be no end to divisions and separations. Gov
: ernment, law and order would be trodden
| deWn, and in their place we would have dis.
cord, commotion, anarchy, and finally military
despotism. In the Union lies the only security
; of our liberties and homes. The honor and
glory of past achievements, whether in peace
or war; the dignity of American nationality
the grandeur of the American name; the prin
ciples Of constitutional liberty; and everything
that can make nation happy and prosperous
depend on the maintenance of the Union
5 Our Government is on trial. Its adaptation
: to the wants and aspirations of men, its pro
! visions for their happiness, its acknowledg-
ment of human rights, its protection of liber-
: ty-all these are freely admitted. What We
need to make its vindication complete before
D the world, is its own security, not so much
!; against encroachments from other Governments
: as from the swelling passions and various in
terests of its own people. Whatever Oonsti
: tuition and laws a people may have, if theil
: Government is not secure they cannot be hap
S py Whatever other elements Government
may possess, if it lacks integrity, it cannot bt
recommended.
Ever since the formation of our Govern
d ment, the eyes of the world have been upor
r US. We have been watched by every age
rank and condition Of life in all the nations o.
e the world. The great problem of selfgovern
ment has passed like panorama before the
eyes of all mankind. None have been indiE
erent to its solution, for all have felt that they
:, had something at stake. Despots have watch
ed with trembling, well knowing that if De
: mocracy proved successful in America, theil
o own crowns must finally fall For nearly
eighty years the nation lived and fourished
No foreign nation encroached upon US, and nc
!, domestic treason threatened to destroy US
: They were years Of almost undisturbed har.
q mony and almost corrupting prosperity. Bu
, they could not last forever. The long smoth
+ cred fires at length broke out. Under thI
: pTetense of grievances, but from no other mo-
tive than the lust of position and power, Trea
d son raised its arm and struck at the nationa
q life. Then came the hour of trial, and it is no
t yet over. Tlren the nation entered upon
IS conflict from which it can never come out will
honor until its adversary is destroyed. Th'
{ conflict is mortal, and one party or the othe
; must be crushed forever. Both cannot live
For us the breaking down of the rebellion i
it the condition not only of national honor bu
It also of national existence.
e Long and loudly have we bOasted of ou
II Government and the principles upon which
l. was founded; we have admired and extolle,
F. our Institutions, and with pride and enthusi
r asm we have sat beneath the folds of our flag
y drinking deeply of the inspiration which i
gives to every patriot. 1t now remains for u
to show that we are as able to maintain as W