The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-01-19

Bill L nave several LlIileS during Inc laSC
year called the attention of the officers Of
the General Government to Indian depreda-
tions and murders within our borders. Some
action has been had, but it would seem that
nothing short of removal will allay the Just
fears, or meet the just demands of our peo-
pie.
am aware that this is subject coming
properly within the jurisdiction of the Gen
eral Government, yet may not this Legsla
ture do much to bring about the desired OBJ
ject by memorializing congress and max
ing such a representation of the case, as will
induce speedy action? | would recommend
that the memorials be prepared upon this
subject at an early day in the session, and
that such other action be taken as the ma
ture of the case would seem to demand.
1t has seldom been the lot of the historian
to record greater calamity to any people
than the calamity of civil war. When broth
er meets brother in civil strife sad indeed is
the spectacle 1t was this against which the
old hero of New Orleans and the Father of
his country issued their solemn warnings. -
They knew full we'll the character of the
American people. They knew full well the
sacrifice which must be made, and the great
interests which would be at stake when civ
il war should be inaHgurated If the de-
parted dead are cognizapt Of events transpi-
ring in this world, there is no one thing up
on this earth which tends more to disturb
the old patriots ia their graves to- day
which would sooner induce them, to return
again to earth to take part in the affairs Of
men, than the civil strife which has been in
augurated by traitors to overthrow this
Government But sad as is the spectacle
deplorable as is the necessity that prompts
nay, compels all good citizens to take up the
sword in defense of the Government a still
greater calamity might aud would betall
mankind, were we to cease to defend our
rights, and thus permit the downfall Of our
free institutions. inasmuch as the interests
of the many are greater than the interests
of the few, as the interests Of the world, of
our children and the people of all coming
time, are greater than the interests of the
people now engaged in this struggle, would
the calamity of the downfall of this Govern
ment be greater than that of the present
civil strife. Duty then admonishes US to de-
fend the Government, to draw the sword in
self defence. | will not at this time go in =
to a discussion of the righteousness of our
cause. 1t has already been too fully discuss
ed, too well established. and is too well un
derstood to require comment from me- No
right thinking man at home or aboad, denies
or attempts at this day to question: that it
is our duty TO sustain the Government and
put down the rebellion How then stands
the case? Some one must lead in this great
work. 1t is the people of the United States
that are now Immediately interested; they
must greatly suffer if we fail. They will
enjoy the blessings if the Government is pre-
served. Who then so largely interested, at
the present time, as the people Of the United
States? The people composing this Govern
ment have selected their Commander-n,
chief, and said to him. go forward and do
your duty; select the means and put down
the rebellion. He has gone forward, has
selected what he deems the proper means,
and is striving with all his power and all
the power at his command, to accomplish
the work. Few will be found, [ think, who
have the hardwood at this day to deny the
integrity Of the pilot now at the head of the
nation. But whether they do or not, it is
unquestionably true, that the chief execu-
| tive authority of this nation has been placed
in pure and patriotic hands; that the great
end and aim of Abraham Lincoln is the sal
walton Of the Government, and the protec-
ton of the rights Of the people. But this
commander in chief, chosen by the people,
has been arraigued 10y the minority (and the
voice Of the minority should be listened to
and given its due weight he has been
charged with committing a great error in
selecting the means and because of this err
ror as they term it, they refuse to support
the administration, refuse even to assist in
saving themselves. In viewing this ques-
ton, we should let our minds expand open
them wide enough to take in the whole scene
before us Men are too prone TO take mar
row and contracted views If this subject ;
some dark spot attracts their attention,
heavy taxes, the draft, personal danger, loss
OF friends-all | admit grievous to be borne
and they fix upon it such gaze allow their
minds to be wholly absorbed in contempIa-
ton, that they sse nothing beyond they sec
nothing else. They forget that great prin
cipes are at stake, that not only the inter
ests of this Government, but the interests of
the whole world, the interests of millions
yet to be, are thrown in the balance, and
involved in this contest They forget that
means must be selected, commensurate to
the end to be accomplished Let us try
and get more elevated position. where we
can view the whole ground in all it's vast
ness open our minds to more enlarged md
enobling views examine fairly and see if
the means selected by the President are not
the proper ones and necessary to save and
shield the nation
That the organized force of the rebels
must be met by an organized force on our
side, none with any show Of consistency can
question. That this involves the calling for
men, the organization Of armies. the expen-
diture Of large sums of money in their Or
ganlzation and support and consequent
heavy taxation is also beyond question
Where then is the error? The great head
and front of the offense say tue opponents
of the Administration. is the President s
Proclamation Of Emancipation. This is the
rock on which we split" Let us look for a
moment at this Proclamation The object
as all will admit is the restoration of ma
tional authority. To this end none will de-
ny that all proper measures which tend to
weaken the rebels aud strengthen the Gov
eminent should be adopted. The question
then naturally arises, is this proper meas
ure, and does it have that tendency? AS to
the legal and constitutional right of the
GoVernlnent to iiberate, take, and use these
black men. need only say that it has long
since been conceded by those most interest
ed in the question, living in the rebel States
None will deny the right of Government to
take the property of those in rebellion and
use it against the rebels, neither do they
deny the right Of Government to the service
Of its citizens to aid in its protection, or the
right to take rebels in arms, or induce them
by offers Of pardon to join the forces of Gov
eminent. In whatever light therefore, you
may consider the negro slaves, whether pro
perty, citizen or enemy, the government has
alike to take them, use proper means to get
them. and use them in defense of the nation
Says Patrick Henry in speaking of our
present constitution. 'Ameng ten thousand
Implied powers which they may assume,
they may. if we be engaged in war; hberate
every one Of your slaves if they please. =
Again he says: IF yon give power to the