Year: 1861

The Louisville Democrat which has gallantly
contended for the preservation of the Union, gives
expression TO the following views in reference to
the present phase of political affairs:


The news from Charleston will, of course, pro
duce great excitement in the country. The first
gun in civil war has been fired; how far il will
extend, depends on the moderation and good
sense of the people Of these States The powers
that be on both sides are not to be trusted. The
factions that support them demand blood 1t is
the radical position of Lincoln's party that have
preciptated him and his Cabinet into this policy
OF holding. occupying and possessing. 1t is dis
graceful to surrender to rebels. They must he
subdued. We have Government, they say, and
must yindlcate it 4 point of honor.


These Abolitonists are acting very absurdly.
Why shonld they desire to retain these slare
StatesT They nave great abhorrence of slave
States and slave holders No more slave States
has been their motto, and no more slave territory.
They Ieit greatly scandazed when Texas was
admitted into the Union. They have now an op-
portunity to get rid of the scandal. Rather than
do il. they would have civil war.


On The other hand, this new Government ex-
poets to flourish by collision. They intend by
this mems, to coerce the border slave States and
involve them in all the consequences OF precip-
itation.


Both sides interested in the calamities of
the country, and rush on in their course of in
sane madness. There is no craftsmanship in re
tanning Fort Sumter, when 10 effort is made or
intended To be made to assert the power OF the
Government in that State or enforce the laws.
How does the retention Of Fort Sumter. built not
for national defenses generally, but for the de-
fense of Charleston, South Carolina, vindicate
the honor of the Government Where is the
philosophy OF holding single point in a harbor
for which the Government has no use: That is
not indicating the honor of the Government;
that is not, By itself, performing the duties OF
a Government. Since the Government South is
so far practically recognized that its laws are nj
lowed to be enforced against its own citizens and
the people of the United States, it is absurd to
stop at the triac of holding fort.


The Southern COnieceracy can make no de-
fense to the border slave Suites. So far from
asking advice of US, they spurned our advice
They have defie,i our remonstrInce They have
cOurted the issue of war. Not regarding the fact
that that we have interests to protect from our
locality, besides those in common with them
they have listened to nothing but their own pas
sion, pride and ambition


Why should they initiate war for Sumter? il
this difficulty IS not settled up and the Union re
stored; if a separation is to take place final and
irrevocabe then Fort Sumter falls to South Car
olina, of course. There is no necessity for this
collision, whilst patriotic men are striving to
settle this matter in peace.


We see, however, little disposition on the part
of Lncoln's friends to adopt any plan of peace
ful settlement They are showing no zeal to ac
complsh any pelceable or patriotic result.


They are contented to let the ordinary function:
of government be employed and perverted to the
injury and ruin OF the country, without moving
finger.


Both these parties ignore the border slave
States. They are to be made the victims of 1
war policy, got up on the pride and ambition o
the extremes of the Union. Why should we be
come partisansI Why should we allow Ourselve:
TO be coerced by the ill-conduct of others.


We have counselled peace. and admonisheJ
both sides to listen to the voice of humanity, in
stead Of sectional pride and ambition Our ad
vice, wise and good. is unheeded. The Southern
ConfedeFacy sets up its ultimatum. Lincoln dis
regards it. She puts the chip on her shoulder
and Gares Lincoln to knock it off. He, to b,
heroic, accepts the challenge, and the fight begins
Who can foresee the result? We should not b.
much surprised if there were no GOvernmen
either at Washington or Montgomery before tn,
business is settled


The news that soldiers refuse to take the oatl
is ominous. and Lincoln ought to take warning
Who can be depended on in civil war? Thehop
Is, that this conflict may only stop at Fort Sum
ter; but in the Absence of patriotism and states
manship on both sides, and the domination of sec
tional pride, it is not easy to foretell what wi
come next.


These border slave States have more reason 4
be firm than ever, and to follow the wiseSt coun
sells. 1t is easy to get into civil war in such time
as these; far easier than to get out of it.
Kentucky has spent blood and treasure enoug
fighting other peoples battles, and gets no thank
| for it now She is at liberty to consider what
best for herself, and let miserable factions fel
their own battles