The weekly union record., 1864-05-21
Who is Responsible for the War!"

of the 18th inst, We find an article with the
above caption, in which the editor of that
delectable secession sympathizing sheet endeav
ors to lay to the charge of the Republican
party the Inauguration Of the present mos.
unnatural and unnecessary war" How well
this untiring advocate of disunion has succeeded
in convincing the jury before whom it pleads
that they should find a verdict in its favor
remains TO be seen. 1t will be revealed by the
action of the people at the ballot box, on the
first Tuesday in November next. II this plea
is Just one, and should be so esteemed by the
jury, the free voters of free America, they will
find for the "Rebellion-sustaining Express by
electing to the Presidency and Vice Presidency
men who, by word and deed, will say to the
seeding States, as does this whilom pleader.
"Wayward Sisters, depart in peace Or,
SLAVE Despotism, uproot the pillars Of Free
dom, overturn the glorious government of
Washington and his illustrious compstriots.
Danish Justice and Liberty from America, and
spread anarchy ard oppression from sea 10 sea-"
Suppose, for the sake of the argument, that, as
the Express says, John Brown did begin war
in Virginia, was not that war begun years
before the firing of the rebels upon For, Sun,er?
Did not Gen. Lee and Others most successfully
nip in the bud' that attempted outbreak of
fanaticism? Was not John Browns BODY
soon made TO "dangle in the air." until his ex-
tinguished life paid the penalty of the laws?
Was not that reckless raid Of an iufuriated
madman the natural resul: of the lawess and
uDpunshed acts of men in the slave States, ft
only for treason, stratagems and spoils," in
hanging, without semblance of trial, scores of
free American citizens, for opinions sake
After the John Brown raid upon the soil of the
"Old Dominion" had not the government fully
vindicated itself, and secured to all, North
South, East and West, Gf it had ever been
threatened the privilege of free and consti-
tutional choice, at the polls Of National rulers
in November, 1860? Was not the condition
of the nation that of unsulled peace, when the
Presidential election of 1860 occurred? Even
the Express, that over anxious, ardent admirer
of artful treason, will not libel Gods truth by
denying this proposition. The nation was
wrapped in peace, clothed with prosperity as
with q garment, when Lincoln was elected
Chief Magistrate, and that, too, in as fair and
constitutional manner as was ever any Presi
dent? Who broke that peace? Who dsrobed
America OF that unparalleled prosperity? For
what was it done? What has been the result
thus far? Was it the adhering States? Was
it the act, per Sc, of the National Government?
Had she, in fiendish anticipation of aD assault
upon and annihilation of the inherent and con-
stitutional rights of the seeding States, aud
the citizens thereof clandestnely drawn from
their midst all the arms AID munitions of
defensive war and carefully stored them away
at points incapable OF access by the defenders,
ready of command by the offenders, to be turned
upon the slave States rs soon as Lincoln was
inaugurated, for the unconstitutional purpose
of destroying life, limb and property? Floyd
said No! while be, the petted, fostered traitor,
breathed. A. H. Stephens said No! at Mont
gomerey, and yet says No! wherever in bitter
remorse he moves. History says No on every
faithful page. Who says Yes? None but the
insatiate enemies of freedom-of mankind, aud
facts give them the damDing lie.
When Sumter was fred upon, had the Gen.
eral Government even threatened one overt act
of wrong to the parties, or any of them, who
broke the peaceful National silence of arms?
Not one threat had escaped the lips of men in
power, as all will admit except those who, like
the Express, treasure up,
deep in unfathomable mines
OF hellish schemes of Treason,
Disunions dark designs,
Without one ray OF Reason"
the utmost hatred for our glorious Union.
Then, who is responsible for the war? Those
who, to more securely fasten the chain of slavery
on the black, were willing to imperil the free