, 1863-02-20
The West md the War.

from the st. Louis Republican, DENY 17th.]
4 politician named u. 4. Mahouey-Who
was some weeks since released from the Old
Capitol Prison in Washing eton-lias written d
letter, published in the New York World, in
which he assumes to speak the sentiments Of
the Northwest in relation to the further pros
ecution Of the war. His text is the recent
speech Of Mr.. John Van Buren, in New York,
and as the presumption tl.at Mr.. Van Buren,
reflected the sentiments Of the Democracy Of
New York has not been contradicted, Mr.. Ma
honey contends that there is a vast chasm be-
West. New York is for vigorous prosecu-
ton Of the war, while, according to this wrf-
ter, the pcople-especial1y Of illinois, Indi-
ana and 1oWa-are opposed to its further
prosecution. And the epractical design of this
Communication, as lie says, is to produce
concert Of action 'sbetween the conservative
elements Of New York and Of the Northwest
In other words, A1r. Mahoney is in New York
engaged in the business Of creating . public
sentiment favorable to the demands Of the
rebels for the division Of the Union. He has
probably not had enough Of martyrdom, and
is Iaboring to get himself again arrested US a
State prisoner, giving moral aid and comfort
This NJ. Nahoney is the editor Of paper
printed in the town of Dubuque-a paper
which was long excluded from the mails on
account Of disloya1ty-and one which has con-
sistently opposed the war from the start
Last fall, while under arrest, he obtained
pal tial endorsement from his party in the ID
district oflowa as candidate for Congress,
but was beaten more tlan 5, 600 votes, though
he ut that time claimed to be q Union man.
We have not recently seen any prctcnsions on
Ills part that he now belongs in the category
Of unionists,. but would rather suppose he
prides himself on being anything else.
We shall not inquire into the claim Of Mr.
Mahoney to represent the political sentiments
Of the Northwest. We cannot see where he
obtained the knowledge Of the popular ten
| denotes of that section which enables him to
| speak with such positiTcness; and III truth,
assertions are based, to exist at all. 1Yhy is
the West opposed to the further pro.
secution Of the war and in fayor Of disun}oll,
| for the two, as the case stands, are iden.
| tical? 1lr. Mahonry says it is because Of the
abolition policy Of the Washington Admins,
to deny-that the Vest is thoroughly opposed
to many Of the pet measures put forth at
the National Capital. But two wrongs DE-
not make one right. Mfr. Lincoln and tll(
whole Republican and Abolition party have
it not in their power, BY any extravaganza
or nonsense, to palliate the gigantic ".mls
take" Of the South, or to render Union .
particle less desirable. On the other hand
there is no evidence that were the presen
Administration Democratic or eycn pro-slaye
r., the leaders Of the rebellion would feel
desire to return to their allegiance. The
sag that were white sheet Of paper pre-
scented them whereon to write their owl
terms of fellowship with the people q
the North, they would take nothing bu
the unconditional recognition Of the South
crn Confederacy. They-the leaders. who
after all control the people By means Of thei
military dcspotfsnl-wcrc practically in th
same hostility to the Government before th
Emancipation Proclamation WAS issued, be
fore the conflscation bill was passed, hcfor
the Eitiye slave law was In effect n1&t}iiict
rs now and they demand no more now tha
| then. It is true the ultra measures Of Reput
lican partisans have solidiacd public sent
1nent At the South to a great extent agains
| the Administration, and perhaps rendered #
Union more difficult: but with those wit
| whom our armies hare to deal chiefly, the or
gillal Eeccssfonists, there Is no proof that til
case would have been very far different ha
the war continued under the conservative NJ
: | tional policy adopted at the beginning, 1t
| 10 argument against the war That some pei
/ SONS support 1t because they believe it vi
; result in the abolition Of slavery. Whateye
} side Issues there may be in the minds Of di
e fercnt persons, the contest il still one ft
: Union, and prc-emincntly So. VIC can onl
r have Union now by vigorously prosecutin
the war, for to cease hostilities, in the face
l the uneompromising demands Of the rebel
4 Is simply to consent to the disintcgration