The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-01-22


bellon is rapidly approaching. The con.
test has been fierce and sanguinsry, and
? has been protracted beyond the expecta-
tsons OF our people. Bu on the other
hand it is to be remembered that il was
pteclpitated upon us, under every possi-
bic disadvantage. On the part Of the re-
/ bel leaders, it was not only coolly and de.
liberately planned, but years were spent,
weile they were still in the councils, and
even control of our Government, in pre-.
pairing for it. They even exercised this
control to disarm us, in great measure,
Of mon and material for the conflict
They trained and educated theis people
for it. by filling them with hatred of the
people of the Northern States and our
republican form of Government. They
anticipated much, no doubt, from the sup
posed weak ness of that Government; 10
protect itself from such an assault, on the
one hand; and from political co operation
in the Northern States, on the otherr.--
They brought about by their MANAGE
ment, the necessity Of what they termed
a Sectional election" Of the President,
and then seized upon that as pretext 10
put in practice what they assumed to be
the right of "peaceable Secession" They
undertook the revolution of the Goverti-
ment, but prepared for, and eventually
adopted the alternative Of armed rebellion.
We were not prepared for the first on
set. We had armies to gather, and arms
and munitions to provide for them; ma
Wy to collect, whence rebel leaders, while
in power, had scattered it, and equip il for
the strife; and it was only with the lapse
of time that we realized the magnitude
and strength Of the rebellion, and the
elaborate and efiectual means that the
leaders had taken for its prosecution and
success. When all these things are care
fully considered, odr people should not be
surprised at the duration of the conflict,
or the cost of blood and treasure it has
involved. ...
BY no act Of wrong or oppression did
the people Of the Northern States pfoyoke
this rebellion. 1t has no Warrant of Jus.
tiilcation whatever. We had inlringsd
upon no right guaranteed to them by the
Constitution Of the land. We had assent.
ed to all the compromises they presented
to us, rnd kept our faith while they vio-
lated, repealed, or destroyed them at
pleasure. While the great mass of our
people, Of both political parties, refrained ,
from interfering with their "peculist in
s'itution' we first faihtly protested, and
then more resolutely declared against its
being mane an engine Of yolitical power
and for this purpose, extsded over terito-
ry tina would otherwise be free. We
urged the Southern people to confine that
institution" within its existing limits,
and take with it all the guarantees the
nation could give for its quiet enjoyment;
but we could not consent that the Rig-
ing influence of Slavery should be spread
over free territory, merely to create Slave
States, in order preserve "tha balance Of
political power"
For this check to their political ambi-
ton, the leoders inaugurated this gigantic
rebellion; and large portion Of their peo-
pie took upon themselves its consequent
ces, in an armed attempt to destroy gov
ernment under which they had been
and happy-to dissolve
Union of States that had been their pro-.
lection and strength-without ccntsm-s
plating the possibility Of failure. or the
fact that success must impoverish, rather
than benefit their condition. lsc2 s.a
According to the magnitude of this re-
bellion, the result Of a restoration of our
and Union. win be potent in
its influence, not only upon ourselves, but
the civilized world. II involves the ques-
Lion of mans capacity for self-goyern-
ment. The issue is on trial, whether
Government resting solely with the peo.
pie, and controlled by delegated powers.
possesses the elements Of strength and uni
ty to protect itself and assert its sover-
signty in such an emergency as q great
revolution or rebellion iuaugurated among
, portion ofits own people for its destfuc-
ton. When this fact shall be denomips-
tod oe. tho tovaltv of tha great mass of