Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-27

The master spirit of the rebellion is re.
ported to have said that he was not fight
ing for slavery, but for independence
There is no doubt that, in his mind. at
least, the greater. covers the less-that if
he can achieve recognized division of
the country, he can save slavery at the
same time; but even if he could not, it
makes no change of the essential condi-
tions of settlement of his differences with
the government. This one thing-the re-
storation of the Union--is what every SOL
dier has fought for, and died for. II is the
grand, primary object of the government,
and the grand, ell suhordinating demand
of the people. However mach the North
may have desired the destruction of sla-
very, it has been minor consideration.
The restoration and preservation of the
Union have been the motive of the war,
and it has been waged against the. forces
in rebellion. 1t is right, therefore, that
the people get full view of the aIterna-
tive of this issue of the war, aud Compre-
hend the dangers of any other mode of
settlement.
There are some very good aud very hu-
name women in the North, of both sexes,
who say that "if the Soath Hishes to go let
it go: If they can get along without us,
we ought to be able to get along great
deal better without them" There is also
class of politicians who would like to see
them achieve their Independence, and who
would be glad to recognize the disruption
of the Union. These men profess to belong
to the democratic party, though we do not
believe that they represent majority of
that party. There is very large number
of democrats who see the danger of such a
settlement as this, and who will never
consent to it; and the differences in the
party are on this very question, and it is
the central and vital question of the present
presidential campaign. Shall this country
be divided according to the wishes of the
rebels, orshall the Union be preserved I
Immediate peace is the promised reward of
recognition of secession, and continued
war is the threatened evil consequent upon
Insisting on restoration of the Union.-
| Narrowed down to the central point, this
1 is the issue between the masses and the
politicians of the North.
Now what would be the result of a diyi-
sion of the Uuion2 The absolute destruc-
ton of,the idea of nationality, and the dis
| solution of the charmed bond which we
have hallowed in our imaginations and
memories as "The Union" When this idea
of nationality is gone, and the Union has
lost its sacredness, what remains2 A frsg-
i ment that is not sacred. The right of se-
cession ia recognized and forthwith there
| is a new quarrel. What binds the Pacific
coast to the Union, except this love of the
whole Union and this sentiment of nation
ality2 There are ten reasons why Oalifor-
mia and Oregon and the territories that
Join them should be q republic by them
) selves, where there is one tor the separa-
tion OF the southern states. The moment
the South goes, and the bond of Union is
broken, there will be plenty of men on the
Pacific coast who will see it is really no
object TO them TO remain attached TO q
! fragment of the old Union. They will
! Immediately set about the establishment
of Pacific republic, independent in itself.
, When the Pacific states drop of,-for,
after the country is once broken, there
| viii be no fighting to prevent secession, a'
I. these northern stAtea will not take up arms
against each other,-then the northwestern
and western states will become restive.-
Indeed, they are already restiye, under thl
! hope of the success of the rebellionj anC
J western republic is freely talked o
: among those of rebel symPathtes. ThI
2 idea Of making a free city of New Yofl
was broached TWO or three years ago by I
man sufficiently representative of New Yorl
20 be elected its mayor, aud since its con
No, when the, South is permitted to Sc
eede, the North will break up, and W
shall have, in place of one grand republic
thai holds the respect of the world as
arst class power, half dozen republics
tha. will be a scOfing and by-wor
among the nations of the earth. Brea
the charmed bond by so much as siOgl
lliuk, and the country will fall into trag
i ments. This right OF secession, or fact
secession, must never for moment o
admitted, for then would Immediately tol
How, in the train of this admission, q serie
of evifs ten times worse than even thi
horrible wax These rebeilious states al
3 i t6Ibo he'd With grip OF steel. - Once gon
the Union is gone with its power, its pref
!, itige, its halloWed associations its nations
e spirit; and, of course, its power of coh'
=, Now what can these men be thinking
ID l.. - ,,iIline, tT, purchasa peace at u