Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-14

We are told that if We capturs Richmond the
rebellion is at Nh end We are also told that il
we fail in this campaign. the Union is finally
dissolved. and the Independence of the South
will DE recognized established fact bv all
nations. ourselves included.
Those who believe IN either theory will be dis
appointed. If events ,hal put their opinions TO
the test The lite of the rebellion doe, not de
pend upon the successful defense OF Richmond
by the rebels. nor is the dissolution of the Union
a necessary result of Grants defeat
The war, a. now carried on, is between
peoples and not armies. Ii is a war of institu
tOns and ideas. and not a war of mere techni-
calities or individual interests, ike the most fire.
quent wars Of Europe The right to thrones.
the fortunes OF royal families the boundary lines
OF nations. are questions often decided by single
battles. The subsection of a people is work
never 80 accomplished.
A contemporary cites the so-called conquest OF
England by William OF Normandy "a proof that
nations sometimes submin 20 superior forces The
deieat of Harold at Hastings VAS not conquest.
nor did 1t result IA suhjugation Of The English
people No such question was in controversy
In the present sense OF the expression William
never conquered England The word conoueror.
as then applied, did not imply subiugaton IL
simply conflict over the rig ht 70 the throne
IL was barely personal issue The local insti
tutious Of the country were not to be changed
hy the result. and the English people themselves
were sUpTemely indifferent 10 the termination of
the conflict. In ANY case. they were 70 remain
their own masters. subject only TO their own
laws, and King William a; his coronation took
precisely tie same oath 70 execute aud defend
the laws OF the kingdom that had been taken by
Harold
The history OF England records many attempts
al conquest, but every attempt was failure. No
81. L -.
portion OF the people IN rebellion ever submitted
Internationally upon being beaten in battle The
present political structure of the empire is COM
plete patchwork Of local soveteigntes illustrat
ing the uncouquerahle renacity with which the
people have adhered to their immemorial rights
ia face of defeat in war. The Saxon did not
conquer the Cet. but compromised with him
after a contest of eight hundred wears To this
day. Wales. as 20 rs local laws, is deemed an
independent principally. Alfred. after centu-
ries Of war failed To conquer the Danes but
compromised with them The Isle Of Nan has
resisted sGtjng alton from the earliest yes and 20
day has It's independent parliament Ireland
never brought into subsection 10 the British Gov
eratnent by arms. but by his own consent forTnei
a legislative union With the English Gov erumeui
he same i true As Ia Scotland Even in the
county OF Kent. some of the old Briton laws still
prevail-monuments Of the uncomfortable will
OF her population. The British crown itself is "A
bundle OF emblems. -ignifying. hot victory over
races IN battle, bat dominion by Cancellation and
COMPROMISE.
There is everything learn from history like
this. IL ought 10 teach Us not TO contend with
populations and social institutions but with the
enemies OF the old government only We NAV
AMI must preserve the past. but more than this Is
a task loo great for our armies though thev
namoe- millions of the oravest men the cont-
nen, esn produce Mllwaueee News