The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-05-20

The public has learned much since the rebel
lion broke out. with regard 10 the character
aud designs OF the Southern oligarchy, and 1t
has unlearned much more. At first 1t was be-
lieved that the great mass of the people Of the
South were disposed TO be lOyal-that they had
been carried out of the Union by designing
and ambitious politicians The large slavehOl-
ders were supposed to be conservative, aud the
commercial classes most deeply impregnated
with secession. We had to learn that slavery
and not visions of commercial greatness. was
the virus which had poisoned the whole social
system of the South. We had to learn that
the leading and influential classes-all who
were interested in slave labor-were disloyal.
We had to learn that PArson BrownlOw aud Gov.
Johnson and General Hamilton were the types
of the only truly loyal men of the South, and
not the Border State politicians who hold back
the Government from dealing effective blows
at the rebellion. We had to learn that this is
a conflict of ideas. and not mere struggle for
political supremacy. And having learned all
this by the sacrifice of some of the best blood
of the North, by an expenditure of treasure
aud resources which no other war ever equal
led, and by the loss Of precious time and OPP
portunity which can never be recalled, it would
be strange indeed If opinions as to the manner
Of dealing with the rebellion had not been ma
those political BourbOns who forget nothing
and learn nothing that have not arrived at dit
ferent and ulster views of the rebellion aud Its
uses. 1t is only those who are politically
blind who fail to see that the fell spirit OF
slavery is the handspring of This rebellion. as
it avOwedlv is the corner stone Of the Govern
ment which the rebel leaders seek to found on
the ruins Of this republic. IL the first year of
the rebellion il was by no means apparent that
We must strike 1t slavery to save the Union
But be is indeed blindy prtjudiced who cannot
now see that slavely must be shOrn OF It's pow
er for evil, both material and political. to save
the country, aud preserve for our posterlty its
free institutions and Republican form of Gov
eminent
We need not vindicate the Presidents eman-
cipation policy. Time is the best exponent of
its wisdom. and while many loyal men at first
reluctantly supported it as Government meas
ure, its policy and necessity. a. well a Its good
results. are becoming more and more apparent
II it had done no more than to avert foreign
Intervention. with which that policy Is general
liz credited It would have vindicated it. own
wisdom. But it has materially weakened the
rebellion. and as an earnest OF more vigorous
policy on the part of the government. it has
largely contributed to the revival Of public
hope and confidence in the success Of our cause.
So far IRON having intensified the struggle. as
many predicted il would. we find no increase
Of bitterness at the South and no disposition
10 enforce threats Of retaliation; but rather an
enhanced respect fOt the earnestness Of pur-
pos Of the North. and shall We add. an in
creased contempt Tor those among us who will
not real re the magnitude Of the struggle and
pusillanimously plead for a peace which will
leave the real Issue undecided. The emancipa
tion policy leads to the abolition Of slavery.
aud toward a Union such a. the fathers Of the
Republic designed 10 establish Boston JsEr.