Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-04-17
Vol. 1, No. IL.

I War. But If did would not hesitate
to have il violated. totally deny that
this nation or any other nation is TO re.
gard itself as tied upto a Paper in the
prosecution Of war. Never before was
there a nation so insane as 10 MAINTAIN for
one moment the idea that, in a life and
death struggle, it was bound at whatever
risk to take those steps and those only,
which bad been marked out for il in a
time of peace and safety What the sal
vation of the nation calls for is 10 be
done, whether the Constitution does or
does not provide for il. The person,
who saws otherwise. would be like TO
evince more concern To save the hat than
the head of the drowning man. "All
that n man hath will he give for his
life:"--and all that nation hath. Con-
stitution included, should she be willing
10 give for her life. The country is more
than the Constitution. Not for the sake
of the Constitution may the country be
/ hazardcd but for the sake Of the coun-
try the Constitution may be sacrificed.
And repeat that the putting down of the
Rebels is more than both Constitution
and country.
There is, nv hearers, better inherit.
ance than n Constitution or even than a
country, which we can leave 10 our sue
cessors This better inheritance is the
glorious and immortal fact, that we made
more account Of putting down an internal
/ Rebellion than we did Of preserving our
treasure or our life. our Constitution or
our country. To resist high handed and
/ bloody crime at whatever hazard or cx-
pense 10 ourselves, and 10 be less con-
cerned to escape from death than from
deep and enduring disgrace-surely this
will be more precious In the esteem Of
our children than anything we could have
saved for them bv failing of this fidelity
and bravery, and going down TO the low
grounds Of calculation and compromise.
To be willing TO fling away our all In
withstanding the assaults Of a demonized
gang on the sacred edifce Of free govern
ment-this is 10 make ourselves the
greatest blessing to those who shall come
after us; and this is 10 do more toward
carving upward and onward the human
family than could be done bv saving n
Thousand countries in which this sublime
spirit Of self sacrifice is not found
I said that see no necessity for viola.
ting the Constitution in carrying on war
That Paper with-holds no needed power
Il provides that Congress NAV declare
war and enact all laws necessary and
proper" to give effect to the declaration
Congress Is. of course, the sole Judge as
to what laws are necessary and proper"
Surely here is power enough.
We must all stand by the Gsvernmez,
and DO all we can to make strong its
heart and hands. Ours is an intelligent
Government, and il is honestly intent in
putting down the Rebellion. Every Gov
ernment falls into mistakes. Doubtless
onrs has fallen into some. But the Dem
ocrats complain too unqualfedly and
sweeplingly Of IT, admit that they are
entirely right in denOuncing the unneces-
sary seizure and Imprisonment OF Citi-
zens. Nevertheless there are instances
Of their necessary seizure and impison
ment: and moreover there are instance:
! Il confess comparatively few where
there is not opportunity for the examina
tion of the accused, either previous TO ol
immediatly after his arrest. But, Demo
Gratis. if you will bear in mind that thil
power to sieze and imprison citizens is
although @ very necessary one, yerl
odious one, YOU will see that Govern
ment is under a strong motive to exer
else it sparingly, and only for the safety o
the country. am not member OF tn,
Republican Party. Nevertheless | ca;
trust our Republican Government at thi
point. would, Democrats that YOU sls'
might be willing to trust il. EnlighteI
il, and remonstrate with il, as there ma,
be occasion. But do not array your
selves against it. For the dear contry'
sake be on its side--its friend and not it
Toe.
Let me speak Of an error. which no
Democrats only but Republicans also arr
liable 70 fall into. Now a Fremont, nov
Hunter. now Fitz John Porter, anC
now a Mcclellan, comes under the cen
sure Of the Government. Perhaps il ev
erv instance the censure is unjust. Bot
, Democrat, and Republicans, il there b'
an instance in which YOU are en,irel.
s4re il Is unjust. nevertheless 90 not adj
TO the embarrassmtnts Of the Govern
men, and the peri's Of the country b.
making it an occasion for cOmplimentinI
and glorifying the censured one. In thi
wise YOU will gather a party around him
and II will not fail to be party agAins
the Government. But the Goyernmen
so long "a il has the armed South for
party against il, cannot afford 10 encoun
ter any other party. do not know bu
the Government fell iuto mistakes in re
! c.-d % III those Generals But | q