East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-01-13
ton to the vast sum now put out by
our government, will add to the infla-

Conflicting views are held as to tho
amount of indebtedness which would
cause national bankruptcy, and with
regard to the length OF time the war
can go on without causing national
ruin. All agree in this; that there is
an amount of indebtedness which
would overwhelm us with bankruptcy,
that there is duration Of war which
would bring upon us national ruin
The problem with which we have TO
grapple is How can we bring this
war to q conclusion before such disas-
ters overwhelm as. These perils must
be confronted.
Two antagonistic theories are now
before the American people for bring
ing to an end the destructive contest
in which we are engaged. The FIRST
is that contained in the resolution
adopted by Congress and approved by
the President at On early day, and
upon the faith of. which the people Of
this country, without distinction Of
party, have furnished more than one
million of men to our armies, and vast
contributions to the Treasury Of our
country.
This resolution consecrated the en-!
ergies Of war and the policy Of gov;
ernment to the restoration of tho
Union, the support Of our Constitu-
ton. 1t was solemn appeal to the
civilized world that the objects thus
clearly set forth justified a war which,
not only concerned the Amirican peo-
pie, but which also disturbed the COM
merce and industry of all nations.
The opposite theory prevents the
return of the revolted states upon tho
condition of laying down their arms
it denies them a political existencey
WHICH enaDIes tnenf 10 come pack upon
any terms it holds that states in the
revolted section of the country must
be "re-established ;" that the states
hereafter made may or may not hold
names or boundaries Of the states thus
destroyed, although it is suggested as
not improper that those names and
boundaries, &C., should be maintained.
The war, therefore, is not to DO
brought to an end by the submission
of those states to the Constitution and
their return to the Union, but it must
be prolonged until the South is subju-
gated to the acceptance, not of its du-
ties under the Constitution, but of
such terms as may be dictated. Until
states are thus "re-established" it is
held that there are no political organ
izations which can bring back tho
people to their allegiance; that if the
nine states spoken of in the proclama-
ton of tho President should lay down
their arms, and should return to tho
performance of their duties they
would not be recognized nor received.
This theory designs sweeping rev.
olution in the section of our country
now in rebellion, and the creation of u
new political system by virtue of exc
cutive DEGREES.
Is this calculated to stop the waste
of blood and treasure If the south
is revolutionized, its property devasta-
ted, its industry broken up and de-
stroyed, will this benefit the north ?
Those who urge the restoration of
The Union, and the preservation of our
Constitution, contend that in addition
to upholding our armies and our ma
vies, every measure of wise statesman
ship and concilitory policy shall be
adopted to bring this war to success
full close. at
Only the ends for which this war
was began should be sought, because
they are the most easily attained,
most beneficial when gained, and i'll
their support the most varied, the
the most enlarged and the most pat
riotic influences can be exerted
On the other hand, it is insisted
that the war shall be prolonged by
waging it for purposes beyond these
avowcd at the outset and by making
demands which will excite desperate
resistance. A demand is made that
the people of the south shall swear TO
abide by proclamation put forth
with reluctance, and which is objected
to by large share of northern people
as unwise and unjust, as it makes no
distinction between the guilty and the
innocent They are to take an oath
to which no reputable citizen of the
North of any party will subscribe
that they viii uphold any future proc
lamations relating to slavery. They
are to submit themselves to uttered
and unuttcrcd opinions and decrees.
No longer regarding tho war as di-
rccted against armed rebellion, it is to
be waged against people, property and
local institutions 1t is held that the
whole population within tho. limits of
certain states are stripped Of al polit-
ical rights until they arc purgcd by
presidential clemency.
The dsorganization and destruction
of the South are not to save us from
the cost of war. The plan for the fu-
ture government of the seeded states
demands the maintainancc of armies
and q continued drain upon the per-
sons and property of our people,
Whenever onc-tcnth of the voters of
either Of those. states shall submit
themselves to the conditions imposed
they may form new governments with
new and old names and boundaries.
The inconsiderable minority is TO be
supported in the exercise of pcwcr by
the arms and treasure of the North.
There will be no motives ON their part
to draw the remaining population into
the support of the governments thus
created. There viii be every induce
mcht of power, Of gain, and Of ambi-
ton to perpciuate the condition of af-
fairs so favorable TO individual purpo-
scs. 1t will also be for the interest Of
the national administration to continue
this system of government, so utterly
at variance with rcprescntivc policy.
Is not this the same mistaken theory