Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-01

1
and but too often used by both parties in
differently each to justify itself and condemn the
other.
Thus, one politician recommends a measure TO
the people. and assures them that in its adoption
consists "the public good of the country" where
as his antagonist protests against il, and assures
the same people that "the public good of the
| country" consists in rejecting that measure and
in adopting the one which he himself proposes,
Numerically opposite to the formerl Whence it
is plain that the efficiency of general phrases
| must needs depend upon the evidence which fixes
their vague meaning 50 as to make their appli-
| cation true in that sense only which is employed
by the speaker. And as this generally is not done
by the orators Of either side, hence the bIunders
so frequently made by the people in both adopt
ing and rejecting the proposed measures, respect
lively. They are carried away by the sound of
| those general words, which they believe true By
implicit faith. The worst of it is that it is the
people themselves only who pay the penalty; as
| If they were the only, or even the principal, au
thors of the mischief Perhaps they are.
In the present instance no such evidence has
been given us by the writer of the above quoted
| paragraph. Not only so, but there are good
reasons for turning his general proposition into
| sense which is exactly the reverse of the one
| he insinuates. For. to which of the contending
parties may be justly imputed the design of
weakening or destroying our government, past
experience fully proves.
The South has never done or attempted any
thing that might be construed into suct a design,
| or tend to such result. On the contrary, she
has constantly uhough not always with the same
fault to PisS and n manner nj. her
those rights inviolate which the Coilssss~-.-9 .-9
guarantees to them. Now. il is obvious that the
effect OF these endeavors, successful could have
been no other but to strengthen and more firmly
| establish our government
IL that writer knows aught that has been done
/ by the South, contrary to what have advanced,
desire him to prove it mot from politicians
speeches, but from ascertained facts,) and / am
ready to join him in condemning her. For,
while the two parties are engaged 10 fighting upon
the field, or taking some rest in their camps we
may quietly examine into their past doings, and
bring TO light what has placed them in the sad
position they now occupy toward each other. Ii
is only thus that the people at large (who the
supporters of the war. and the chief. If not the
only, sufferers from it, may be made to under
stand the causes which have brought il upon
them. Then. and not before, can they say to
themselves, W e now see what we are fighting
for"
The North, the other hand has done al
most nothing else, during these thirty years
and more, but to employ all means, though
forbidden by the letter as we'll as the spirit of
the Constitution, in order to prevent the citi-
zens of the South from enjoying their rights,
which that instrument has secured to them. OF
which endeayorS, il that writer does not think
otherwise, | affirm that. according to the clear
est dictates of reason, and upon the plain princi-
pie that the effect must unavoidaby be produced
by the working of its own cause, the consequence
could have been 10 other, but to weaken at
first. and in time to destroy "a government con
stituted" as he justly says, "for the benefit of
all the people Ia the United States" They
have, in fact, succeeded in breaking il asun-
der
| think he will not ask of me to give proof
of such efforts made by the North as | have
alluded to in the preceding paragraph; nor can
his readers be in need Of it. IL this were the
case, would refer them-lst. To the open rs
well secret arts which she has practised in
the Southern States fog enticing the slaves away
from their masters: I'd. To her press throughout,
in the shape OF newspapers, tracts. pamphlets and
books. These are even now. and from numer
Gus sources, largely distributed amongst the
! men of our army, and made to reach as
, many slaves in the interior of the Southern
States re possible; Sd. To her preachers of
! abolitoniSm, even among the clergy: 4th. To
'thc personal liberty bill" called; 5tb. to her
, attempting to invade the South drmata manu-,
and excite there a general insurrection of the
slaves against their masters; 9th. To - But,
since We at present upon the subject of war,
under which this country is actually wasting
away before oar eyes. it IS here sufficient 10
point out It's direct aud Immediate causes. For
this i would refer them-lst. To the official
records Of Congress. whose motions and debates
since 1919 present Ia the world no other specta-
} Gle but that of continued. uninterrupted strug-
gle between the two sections oi the country, the
North attacking the South to wrest from her her
, constitutional rights in regard TO the common
! Territories of the Unpn, the South defending
herself against the attacks Oi the North, in order
to hold those rights firm in her hand. 2j. To
, THE New England Emigrant Aid Company,
incorporated by act of Legislature in the State
3 of Massachusetts. with capital" says the
Q report ofa Committee on Territories in the Sen
: ate, "of five millions of dollars, invested in
houses and lands, in merchandise and mills,
(, in nnon and rifies. in powder and lead,
, whose purpose was that of filling Kansas
Territory with people devoted to abolition
0 ism, and ready to employ all means
To hinder the Southerners from settling
e there with their slaves 3D. To '' The
D Kansas Aid Society" organized in the city OF
Washington by the very members of Congress OF
both Houses, of which association, one of its
honorable members assures, in public testimony
under oath. that the leading primary object was
{ to prevent the introduction of slavery into Kan
, sas," and to this end circulars were issued ''to
the people OF the country of the Northern States
particularly, urging that steps be taken to induce
persons from the North. who are opposed to
slavery. to 60 there, and prevent its Introduction
Are not these things trueg they not telling
I 1t seems they are.
J, But not to mention other particulars, would
refer the Worlds readers to the announcement
: made by the North both at the time when, in the
late Presidential election. she striving 10 get
: and ever since she has got into official power
J, namely, that she is still determined to carry ou
s her purpose. not 10 allow the citizens of tn,
e South to settle with their slaves in the common
e territortories. For although such an announce
e ment on the part of the North is no new thing
= but only a repetition Of what she had Away:
! proclaimed, vet still, considering the partlc
j uar time and circumstances ia which II
d has now been made and acted upon, il was now
J, thousandfold more significant and weighty
n than it could have been ever before. One may
It regard it the great seal affixed To the public
= record of the Norih's former attempts against
= the South; embodying not only a solemn appro
y baton and confirmation OF them. but also
s further promise never to de>ist from renewing
them until they arc crowned with success. II
was the last drop that fell in vessel already toe
g full.
n For this announce nent Of the North has d
IS rectly caused the Southern States TO secede from
: the Union the secession has been made by the
:" North, the occasion, or pretext, of calling thu
Il people to arms for invading the Southern State
in order to treat them rs rebels. and reduce thea
y to subjection: this invasion the Southern States
" are now resisting; aud this is the believ'
: the readers of the World do now clearly se'
i "What we are fighting for - pPlLo v
q To be continued.
--In Spain, woman on her marriage retain