The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-20
WHY DODGE THE ISSUE.

WHY DODGE THE ISSUE.
In 1860, the States of the North and those
of the South were widely separated on the
point of the right of secession. The South
maintained, that the States composing the Un-
ion under the rights reserved by the Constitu-
ton, could dissolve the compact at any time
that they might desire so to do, while the
North on the other hand insisted that the COM
pact was perpetual. A difference so radical
as this could be decided by no civil court, and
both parties appealed to the only tribunal
which can decide the quarreis of bodies of men
sufficiently large to constitute nations, the tri-
bunal of arms. That tribunal decided against
the South and the issue of the war is deola-
ration that the Union of the States is perma-
nent and that no State or number of States can
dissolve that Union.
It is true that BENJAMIN WADE was not
very anxious for the war, but would have pre-
ferred to have let the Southern States make
the experiment of government of their own,
though, to-day he chooses to forget this and
declares, what he knows to be false, that
"but for the aid and comfort afforded the
Southern leaders by the democracy of the
North, there would haYe been no war" And
he continues, 81. charge upon this great or
ganized party the responsibility of 100000 Of
the flower of our youth lying in their graves.p
IA XIak DR. IL
vocated the right of secession until 1862,
though he to-day pretends to desire continu
ance of the Union, and cants eloquently about
The soldiers of the nation. 1t is true that Mr..
CHASE said that the Union was not worth fight
ing for though he to-day occupies the seat of
Chief Justice of the United States. 1t is true
that HORACE GREELEY said in the Tribune in
1860, "any attempt to compel the Southern
States to remain by force would be contrary
to the principles enunciated in the immortal
declaration of independence, CONTRARY to the
ideas on which human liberty is
based;" though he to-day is blatant about the sin
of rebels and the horrible crimes that we COM
It is true that these opinions of Radical lead
ers encouraged the South. It is also true that
these men are to-day the leaders of the Radi-
cal -arty, but if the people Of the North had
listened to the teachings the South would
have been permitted to depart in peace. The
people of the North in 1861, did not how
ever heed the Radical leaders Of to-day.
They had faith in the Union, they esteemed it
10 be of value, and standing on what they be-
ieved to be correct Interpretation of the
Constitution, Democrat and Republican, side
By side, determined to crush eout what they
alike considered political -heresy, and to
support by arms the permanency of this gov
srnment Mr.. LINCOLN an6Congress both de-
,lared this on more than one occasion. They
insisted that the war was not one of conquest,
but waged simply to compel every State to
perform its portion of the compact, and to
stand to its allegiance. Had any other issue
been made, had the Radical creators Of public
opinion avowed their policy of to-day, an
army never could have been raised in the
North. The people Of the North never would
nave consented to shed their blood and spend
heir treasure for the purpose of preparing
letters for themselves while forging chains
Tor the South.
If these statements are true, it matters not
what may have been the opinion of the South
The war must be judged from Northern
stand point Having been ended in favor of
he Northern idea, it follows as thing of
course, that no State ever was out of the
Union, even for single instant. If no State
ever was out of the Union, then every State
,n the restoration Of peace is entitled to all
safeguards and guarantees of the Constitution.
Admit that the war was just war on the part
If the North, and this is the necessary conclu-
sion. If each State is entitled to the protec-
ion of the Constitution, then 1t is true that
f any one State is deprived of that protection
he Constitution is disregaraed. If it is disre-
yarded to-day for one State or set of States, it
will be disregarded tomorrow for other States,
wherever the opinions of their people are not
n harmony with the views of the majority
The course of the Radical party has been to
,btain and propagate its power by deceiving
he masses at the North, by subverting the
Constitution, and seizing and taking from the
States their rights under that compact. Their
inns are revolutionary. The old fabric is to
,e destroyed, and on the new foundation they
ire determined to build Government entirely
.fter their own hearts, Government in which
lone but Radicals shall rule. The party is too
bly lead, however, to make either an open OF
N honest confession of faith. WENDELL PHIL
,1ps, it is true, openly declares his views; but
yho ever suspected PHILLIPS OF being poll
ician? THAD. STEVENS follows in the wake OF
PHILLIPS. and proclaims that the party is act
no ..outside of the Constitutions" but THAD. is
lot always wise, and he is too passionate to be
lways able to conceal his thoughts. The party
annot endorse his doctrines because it knows
hat such doctrines would cause reaction at
he North, and might be instrumental in losing
he Radicals their supremacy, and In re-
toring liberty to America. wiser course IS
determined upon, and gilded pill is admins
cred. Men excited by passion forget justice
nd frequently forget to look at their own In
erests. Passion must be appealed to, anu
he North must be blinded. With these aims
econstruction bills were passed for the South
rn States, military governments were estao-
shed during peace, ha6eas corpus was sus-
ended, the right of trial by jury MADE
ependent on the stroke Of the pen OF soldier;
nd more than all, 'smanhood suffrage" was
nconstisutionally established for negroes put
ot for white men, The object of all this Is
manifest. 1t is to habtuate the people to IQ9k |
n tyranny until they become accustomed 10
@ wort;nos and then to fasten the tyranny |