The Lansing state Republican., 1863-10-07

The Democratic journals generally persist in
the assumption that the War vas begun and j,
continued by the Administration, rather TO de-
>troy Slavery than 10 restore the Union The
War NAV result in the destruction Of Slavery
but that vas not the reason the Rebellion was re
sisted, is it Tor this that the War Is pressed.
IL might hoSever, al the Outset. have beeu "
geo ss the reason without doing violence 70 Suy
Of the great principles which ordinarily govern
civilized nations in the prosecution OF q ~sr tor
the suppression Of rebellion The War trss
Eagsd By the >lare Porsr That pO~er Ihie~
down she gage VI bsitie-nOt 10 DESTROY the Un
ion merely, but TO give strength and perpetuity
TO Slavery. The chsllei ge vas accepted-not
TO desfrov that which the War was waged 70
sfrerothsr and perpeUate. but 10 saps The IN
ron, which the Slave Power sought 10 desfrov
But hat rule OF War or Of Justice would have
been violated II the challenge TO var had been
accepted 10 accomplish the opposifs Of the COM
oned purpose which the Slave Poser sought to
sttan' They opened the War 10 break up the
UniOn and perpesHate Slavery Who you'd
have gaiusaid the strict moral justice OF our DO
-ition. if have entered the contest to saue The
U,isn aud TO destrOy &apervg
But the Administration neither avowed nor
entertained this two fold purpose. IL avowed
rselt content TO 1T Slavery alone. which was
the cause Of the War, If il could but save the
Union which was practically severed by il. In
this determination there vas sublime forbear-
snce. Future generations, hO~ever, with the
page OF the yet unwritten history OF the present
before IT, may think il Vas neither merciiul por
wise. And passing events-the persistent con
tinuance of the War by those Who waged Il. and
the rapidity With which Providence is writing It.
eternal aud irrepeaa0le statutes-render Il m
cressIugly doubtful whether Ihis forbearance
~il prevail against a seemingly inevitable Des-
tiny.
IL is the Law Of Christ that "they Who take
the s-o'd shall perish BY the sword" In this
conhlct the sword was taken" by the Slave
Poser to strengthen and perpetuste Slavery.
What is there in that institution TO induce the
aorogauon OF Divine Law, pronounced against
all ustigstors Of war, all shedders of blood and
dlsturoers OF national peace IL has no single
attractive or lOyesble feature. II i against na
ture, debasing. unjust, inhuman aud cruel to the
last degree. IL Is just what those earliest bur
1ened with il denominated it-an "uumitigated
curse, with no single attribute 10 which the Al
mighty can ns in symnathy sh,eh So-iS ss...
mend II 10 His protection or interpOsitiOn.
As, therefore, Slavery "took the sword " il
my, in spite OF Administrative fofbearance.
because OF this Divine fiat perish BY the
sword"
And if it should 90 perish" would it not
ne just and righteous retributiOn! IL has
broken in upon the quiet aud prosperity of
happy people. Ii has rolled the garments OF
peace IN the blood Of war IL has opened
millOu OF graves. aud filed them with the
youth and strength aud beauty Of the land
Ii has broken the hearts of countless thousands
Of sorrOwing Rachels, who are weeping for
their children because they are not" Unuum
bered happy hOm have been made deso4te.
and rivers Of blood must still nos over trem-
bling hearts, whose husbands, sons and brothers
still survive the Carnage of war, but who are yet
10 tall upon the field Of battle Is it not iucOu
Sstent with cur ideas of Divine justice that that
which, by taking the sword has produced
such fruits. should escape the penstys
Providence often lesds meu /" into paths which
they knew not" aud to results which they nei-
Their expected nor desired. IT. in this case, the
War shall lead 10 the death and burial Of in
stitution which it vas Wsged to strengthen aud
ta ' e. "a s
lessons which Providence has taught the human
race in all ages. But, II such cOnsummation
-hall ensue. il will be the resu of a decree writ
ren long before Abraham Lincoln was made
President of the United States and the glOry
of the schievemrn: will belong 10 HlgheI
Power than any subject 10 human direcuou.-
Alb. EUe Jour.