Litchfield enquirer., 1864-05-12

sings of governmental protection, no conscious ness of the indefensibility of their position, and no sense of their guilt, has modified or changed their criminal purpose.
 For success they rely upon division in the opinions and eounsels of the people, and upon their own strength as concentrated in their re- enforced and disciplined armies.
 We have no alternative other than to permit them to hold our liberties subject to their dlctation, or meet them on their own chosen field of conflict and by strong arm of power, working though our armies, subiugate them to governmental au thority.
 No peace can be insured to the subjects of any government, either in heaven or on earth, without the exercise of power sufficient to subdue armed rebellion. We ,he sh no feelings of hostility or revenge, and desire not the life of the insurgents, but feel it to be high patriotic and religious duty ts use adequate force for subjugating the untoward manifestation of the spirit of rebellion to the claims of law and order.
 Opposition to government must be met with opposition to rebellion.
 Liberty lost by Us is lost to our children forever.
 Therefore we should combine our resources and consecrate them to nation s strength un- til the armies of our enemies shall be over powered.
 Until this shall be accomplished, the con- sideration of all questions which relate to re- pairing Or reconstructing this Union, will be premature, and when this shall be done, we may safely judge and determine how far in accordance with our obligations to law abiding citizens we may restore rights forfeited by the highest crime against human government, and bny for hot f,,{ ! 4lc people shall demand retributiye justice. The disaffection which has led to this terri bIe civil war, has, in the opinion of many, been caused directly by slavery, and of others, by an uniustif.ble agitation of questions relating thereunto. still, nearly all agree that il has been either the direct or proximate cause of the rebellion.
 The institution existed in every State during , onr connection with the mother country. Cues tions of interest or policy arising from it. produced more excitement. caused more bit. terness of feeling, and were more difficult of adi ustment than any others which engaged the consideration of the Convention which adopted the Constitution and while that honorable ! body brought nation into being and sent it or i it's mission of freedom nevertheless 1t failed 1 to incorporate into that instrument the requis- ite auth orlty for removing from within State limits, an institution wholly inconsistent with i the object for which it gave the nation life. | From that day to the present, slavery has b. en clanorous for preservation, extension and power.
 On the admission of Missouri and the incor- poFation of Texas into the Union, the voice o 1 slavery was heard demonstrating agalnst and curtailment of its limits. and demanding in creased power in the national councils. 1 Questions as to its influence upon the public prosperity and to the duty of the government 1 in relation tEereunto were discussed in busi
 ness circles, in public meetings, in conventions
 and legislative assemblies, until they produced
 throughout the country an excitement scarcely cquaed at any former period of our history 1 It is true that at one time the people were by 1 their representatives called around an opel grave to witness the burial of every element
 which then disturbed the national councils { But slavery was restless with Il such narrow l bounds. and; yefushing to be held by the un- holy compromise, broke from her affected re 1 rose, and with an assumed air of righteous l indignation and in violation of plighte faith
 rcnewedy disturbed the public tranquility by the passage of the act relatngto Kansas and l Nebraska
 1 In whatever aspect we view these facts
 written on every leaf of our history, a wise and sound public policy call upon us now to ust every lawful instrumentality which will prepare
 the way for abolishing the cause of SC muct
 disorder and for scuring and perpetuating th'
 liberties of all the people. The Presiden
 properly issued bis proclamation declaring
 universal freedom in the insurrectionary dis
 tricts twas an important war measure, ant
 on that account, enimently wise and justilible ,,,Hu Lou sir fbnpa
 ernmct and weakened the rebellion. But it!
 effect is limited. Men are not made free bJ
 its mandate. but only by the presence of armie!
 which give it efficacy. The decree may Dc
 confirmed by the Supreme Court and freedom
 be given to every slave yet, If the military power should give way to the civil authority to day and peace be restored, as eventually il
 must be, no legal obstacle coull prevent the States from exercising their sovereignty ovel slavery, nor hinder them from re-establishne the system, with increased ability to foment discord in our public councils, and make dis turbance in our otherwise happy homes.
 Slavery is not dead. Its life is in the custo dy of it's friends, and while it shall so remain 1 there will be no peace.
 The events of the past urge us 10 adopt some measure which shsl terminate ill favor of free dom, that controversy which must ever exis
 so long as part of the nation remains fret and a part enslayeu. S44
 This duty is pressed upon our consideration under circumstances which admonish us that it cannot be neglected without danger; and that it can now be performed without violating any vested rights in the adoption of Fan amend mcnt to the Constitution, according 10 the pro visions of that instrument, which will secure to the National Government supreme control over the whole subject of slavery.
 ! We know not the design of God with refer
 ence to the future of our nation, but when we look at the position of gathered armies o
 American citizens who, while we arc ill the midst of our deliberations may be contendna in death struggles for the preservation or the dissolution of the American Union and wher
 we call to mind the principles of equity ant
 righteousness which lie at the foundation o
 His government, and the order with which i
 is administered we may believe that He i
 now giving us a rare opportunity of enforcing
 the claims of law and order by conquering
 peace, and favorable occasion to establish Justice and form more perfect union. Let us embrace this opportunity and perform
 these duties with humble confidence that, under
 the guidance of the King of Kings, this revo
 lution will carry the nation onwards Tn tho
 path of prosperity, intelligence and influence
 and upward, to higher level of freedom, civil
 iza1ion and Christianity, where every citizen
 whether igh or low, rich or poor, learned ol | ;onorant of whatever tribe, or race, or nation ,,otootad in all fhe inal ian hle ri f,