The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-08-10
Mr.. Lincoln Provss the War a Crime.

| So lar as our observation has gone, there
is no journal in the North, not excepting
| those of Abolition tendencies, that attempts
to sustain the position to which Mr.Lncoln
III his manifesto, Ito whom it may con-
cern," has committed the Executive Coy
ernment of :he United States. This is not
strange for however much the Abolition
press. may seek 10 justify their doctrine in
the general course of journalistic dispu-
tatioD, with reference 10 its application to
stated and practical plan of compromise,
/ they shrink from The fearful responsibility
OF interposicg a mere social theory as an
insurmountable barrier TO egotiation. We
are sure no prominent public man was ever
so completely isolated from his fellow
countrymen upon question of vital impor
tauce as is Mr.. Lincoln in respect 10 his as
sertion Of The abandonment of slavery"
as an imperative condition of inte ersectional
diplomatic action. The Canada conference
is the all absorbing theme. 1t is discussed
! in ali its phases, and has revealed all the
varieties and shades of individual opinion
| But no man within our sphere of observa-
lion has echoed the fatal sentiment of that
Executive manifesto. No man except the
Chief Magistrate OF the Republic, is SO cal
loas TO his coun,ry's welfare, so reckless of
consequences and so impenelrable 10 expe-
| diency, justice and humanity, as to endorse
| the ultimatum that leaves no alternative but
war till one section or the other is crashed
and Poweress under conqueror's heel
II misfortune was less overwhelming, if
the wounds of our country did not claim all
the sympathy that human nature can bestow
we could pity that unfortunate man who,
conspicuous as the chief magistrate o. a
mighty people, is still more conspicuous by
his crime and folly. WELDING a power
above that Of all his predecessors, power
that our fathers would not have trusted 10
the pure patriot and incorruptble statesman
in whose person the Executive govern
ment was inaugurated, this typs of Off
cial degeneracY finds no better use for au-
thority than 10 bring contempt upon himself
and ruin upon his country.
When that arrogant demand for the aban-
donment of slavery went forth over the
land, fast after il followed the yet more
imperative demand for the abandonment of
Lincoln. If the angel Of retriou:ion had
proclaimed bis condemnation, it would not
have been more effeciually pronounced
than it has been By ,he convictions Of
the people, awaked By this climax Of
folly 10 three years OF NAL administration.
He now stands in direct oppooilion to the
solemn pledge made TO the peple a, bis in
auguration, that be woaid not "directly or
indirectly interfere with the institution of
slavery in the States where il exete," and
he has violated the law of the land as iE-
terpretsd by himself when, at The threshold
of his Executive career, he confessed that
he had ono lawful right" 10 do that which
he has now unlawiuIly done for the purpose
of battling those peace influences that
stand in the way OF his personal aspirations.
This shameful trifling with the interests of
a suffering people cannot go beyond the
point that il has now reaahed. The people
should not and they will not endure it
They have been called upon 10 offer five
from among their kilh and kin at the altar
of civil strife already reeking with the blood
OF a tn ousahd hecatomos and now they
are called npon 10 assist al the formal bap-
tsm OF those horrors, giving them the name
of war for The Abandonment Of Slavery"
From the hour when that decres was made
known, every blow dealt upon the bs tile
ield is given io9 the abandonment OF sla"
very and in no other cause. Ii is so written
above the signature OF Abraham Lincoln,
as the Executive Government of the Uni
ted States" No proposition "will be re-
ceiyed and considered" that does not em>
brace the abandonment of Slavery" and
as no peace is possible until some PROPOSE
ton shall have been ''received and consid-
ered," it follows that the war has been for
ry crusade, aiming principally, if not ex-
clusively, al the abandonment of slavery"
Mr. Lincoln, in his capacity as the "Ex-
ecutive Government OF the United Staies,"
has heretofore declared that The right of
each State Id order and control lis own do
mesuc lnsutntons, accorulnS 10 us own
judgement exclusively, is essential 10 the
balance Of power on which the perfection
and endurance of our political fabric de-
pend" Therefore, war against the "dO-
mesiic institutions" of State, if successful,
involves the destruction Of principle that
is Essential" to the "perfecuon and endu-
rance of our political fabric". Is it right
for the people TO support war that assails
a principle upon which their political secu
rity '1depends 2" But the Executive Gov
ern mant has pronounced this war 10 be for
The abandonment of slavery" that is for
the destruction OF domestic institution"
that each State has the fright 10 control
according TO its own Judgment eZetusiuety"
The people of The North are then fighting
10 destroy their own principle of govern
meut, TO destroy The 'srighls of Staies," 10