Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-08

1t Is not to be denied that since the commence
inert Of this war. theories Of a 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 IN ~ we'll awaken our deepest solictude
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 thev are TO give place to a
system founded in mere force. Strong currents
OF public opinion, set IA motion by the most rad
ica and fsnatical spirits among u.s. are apparently
teuiing to objects that have not heretofore been
recognized the Legitimate objects of the war
aud the influence OF the radicals aud fanatics in
producing those currents OF opinion is to be adj
ded the influence deryei 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 marty which placed
him ian the executive chair. What the ob
lects of the war. To which We seem TO be tending
are il INDEBTED by the sentiment frequently
bearI now. but never eutertsined by the outset
p,ted. This hiea. more less vague in the
minis of men. has Of late received an impulse
from the prumulg alton OF definite means by
which 70 - 10 be carried out That means il OF
fered 10 Us IN the announcement of a theory
which presents the Southern States ~ commun
ues which se have a right 20 conquer, and TO
treat As conquered countries when We have
achieved the victory. This theory. - the oppo
site OF that which regards these states a. the 10
al nf of ipdi Ia
against the authority of Tie Federal Union we
purpose TO examine with aud at some length
IL my not be Convenient tor Us To place our dis
customs Of this subject in successive issues of
our paper: tut our readers will preserve the con-
tinuity by looking at the heading which Is placed
at the commencement of the present article.
The most momentous question that is now be-
fore the American people relates 10 the mode IN
which a restoration OF the Union eau be effected
consistently with their own future welfare and
safety. On this question they must think as well
as act. and must think before they act To aid
them In the formation of their opinions by TEN
perats and calm discussion should be the purpose
of ever patriotic journalist and every sespecabe
press.
We assume that there are two. and but two.
theories on which tho people Of the called Sc
ceded States can ever be brought again into POI
iitcsi relations with the people of the remaining
States. a. a result of var. IL. Indeed. IL would
become possible for the conteudng forces 81
agree upon = cessation OF arms. aud the people oi
all the States could meet in national convention.
or other representative body. Tor the establish
raent OF new national or federative sNrte.n,
there might he several modes OF reconstruction
90 be considered But taking the suppp-iton that
ne are u continue hghtng for re>tor ,tiou OF
the Uuisn. aud assuming further that tie people
OF the North are to determ ne ~ What they TO
ain. IN the persecution OF the war. means OF
restoring tie Uaion-or. IN other words, that they
desire 10 act upon definite ideas OF what they wish
"a oring sbout-then we say that they must ex
anime and compare 10 opposite plans. aud must
determine between them tor veal OF zoe
One Of these plans Is 20 conquer the Southern
States. a. States. and sfser The conquest has been
effected To deal with them conquered countries
admitting them again into the Union on such
conditions a. We NV eloose TO impose. or hold
Ing them az dependent provinces This is the
real me,nng Of prosecuting the var until slave
~ % exerminated." So long a. The war IL pros.
eeuted by the Federal Government a. a var
against armed combinations of indiv iduas sho
are in rebellion against tile United States and
sho have unlssfuliy seised upon the territory
AMI political machinery of those States there eau
De ma en'e5 m'nstion Of slavery. because as soon
as the 'n-arre.t'on l. quellei In any State its
lsuon 70 the Union = restored, and all is insti.
tntions remain just What they we're under IL own
constitution and the Constitution of the United
States To change the institutions. therefore, of
any Southern State. the State a. political cor
poratiea a< self EXISTING body polite and member
OF the Un'on, must be suppressed: and II this can
be done Al all. st can be done oaly by territori.
si conquest. which substitutes the conqueror in
the place of the former government of the con-
qoered territory. Tbs - veil Understood by
shose vho favor the prosecution of The var until
slavery has been destroyed by IL. and hence their